Madrid Moderno Madrid

Tiny turn-of-the-century colony

Andrea from Madrid

"Madrid Moderno is in an area with plenty of bars and restaurants full of locals. Go check it out, and I promise you will spend a lovely time there!"

Do you love getting lost in a new city? Love the feeling of being like an intrepid explorer, so far off the beaten track that even the Instagrammers haven’t posted about it yet? Well, I’m sorry but we have to accept that nowhere is secret any more!
Don’t be sad though, even if it’s out there, some places just don’t filter through and never achieve viral status. For example, the few streets and buildings that were part of the “ Colonia Madrid Moderno” are still off the 'grammers’ radar for the most part and are well worth taking a look around.

Built between 1890 and 1906, these small “hotelitos” were constructed when this area was undeveloped land, and were intended as weekend retreats and summer houses. The project was plagued by delays, but finally, about 100 terraced houses were finished. Their modernist look combines with the “neomudéjar” style, characterised by colourful tiles and bicolour bricks. I find them delightfully incongruous — certainly, they’re quite unlike anything else you can see in Madrid.

You’ll find them in an area with plenty of bars and restaurants full of locals, between the city’s bullring at Ventas and the lovely Eva Perón Park. Go check it out, and I promise you will spend a lovely afternoon getting lost in Roma, Castelar and Cardenal Belluga streets.

Art & culture

Relaxing

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Madrid Spotter Andrea

About Me I am a teacher and examiner who made a home in Madrid many years ago. I love live music, art, books, travel, food and dancing and am well served for all my interests in Madrid. I live on a special plane where I exist as an eternal tourist (check out Alain de Botton’s book The Art of Travel) who maintains a sense of wonder in a familiar place. I love showing people round my favourite spots in Madrid but am never happier than when I am discovering new gems. Why Madrid Madrid seduced me when I first visited, with its untamed and unapologetic Spanishness. We came ...

About this spot

Colonia Madrid Moderno, Calle de Castelar

€

free

Oct 23, 2024

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