Lope de Vega is considered Spain’s most important playwright ever. Born in 1562, 15 years after the great Cervantes, this astonishingly multi-faceted and prolific figure from Spain’s Golden Age led a colourful life which included producing over a thousand plays and having seventeen children with several wives and numerous lovers. He had a naval career, was exiled and was also ordained a priest at 52. Casa Museo Lope de Vega is the Madrid house where he lived the last 25 years of his life, in the beautiful neighbourhood of “Letras”.
To see the beautiful interior of the house and get the really informative (free!) half-hour tour you must book ahead. Phoning is best, but you can also email – they got back to me within an hour. English and French tours are available, but only on certain days.
The garden is open to visits without reservation. There are free events going on all the time; plays, concerts and workshops. Some you can book, others you just show up for – it’s all on a first come first served basis as numbers are limited.
Do check out the website before you go, it will help you better appreciate the genius of Lope.
