Picture | Traveler
Chueca is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Madrid. With a cosmopolitan soul, it owes its name to a small square dedicated to zarzuelas composer Federico Chueca, born in the Villa in 1846. Today it is known for being one of the centers of Madrid’s night characterized by its open and welcoming mindset. It stands out for its narrow streets, full of bars, restaurants and shops what has proved to be compared to the SOHO in New York.
A vital change
Chueca is currently a neighborhood to the latest, cheerful and fun but unfortunately it was not always the case. In the 1970s prostitution and drugs made it a place because it was recommended to go, of deep degradation.
Fortunately everything changed from the 1980s, when the gay community took over and decided to give the change the neighborhood needed. They bought many of the houses and premises that had been abandoned by the deterioration of the neighborhood and created a festive and respectful place.
In the 90s it was definitely the gay neighborhood of Madrid and today strolling through its streets you can discover some of the coolest shops, bars and nightclubs in the city.
Traditional architecture
Chueca’s stately buildings contrast with the bustle of its streets and terraces. In Chueca predominates a castizo atmosphere that mixes the new and the traditional, the modern and the vintage…
Two of the most impressive buildings are the Casa de las Siete Chimeneas, a mansion dating from the 16th century, and the Longoria Palace of the early twentieth century. Living in Chueca, however, is not within reach of anyone. Its privileged location in the centre of Madrid, its originality and modernity make the neighborhood one of the most expensive areas of the city, along with the neighborhoods of Chamartín, Salamanca, Chamberí, Moncloa and Retiro.
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Chueca Markets
In Europe it has become fashionable to revitalize old markets and turn them into places of leisure. Food is served and restaurants are grouped and there are several in the Chueca district.
- The Mercado de San Antón, on Augusto Figueroa Street, has the traditional market on the first floor, the show cooking and the exhibition hall on the second, and the terrace with the cocktail bar on the third.
- The Barceló Market was refurbished a few years ago to give it greater modernity. It is situated between Barceló, Mejía Lequerica and Beneficencia streets. Now it also has some restaurants, a municipal gym and a space for all kinds of events.
- On Fuencarral 57 Street is the San Ildefonso Market, a small space distributed over three floors that seeks to replicate the Street Food Market in New York and London. The market is complemented by three bars and two terraces.
Image| Wikipedia
Chueca Museums
Within the museum offer of Madrid, Chueca has two very unique. In addition, the neighborhood is full of art galleries where you can get to know the latest news in the sector.
The Museum of Romanticism is unique in its kind. Located on Calle San Mateo, it offers us an insight into the history, art and everyday life of Romanticism in Spain. For just €3, we can see classic furniture from the time of Ferdinand VII and Isabel II as well as drawings, prints, fans and jewelry. We can also find paintings by artists such as Goya or Madrazo.
Through its collections, the Museum of History of Madrid tells the history of the town from its becoming capital in 1561 until the first decades of the 20th century. Located on Calle Fuencarral No. 78, it is the continuation of the San Isidro Museum that shows the evolution of Madrid from prehistory to the settlement of the Court.
