Styles
In this section you can search all our contents throughout the different stages in the history of art in Spain, to find styles such as Baroque, Gothic, Mudejar and many, many more.
Modernism and Avant-garde movements
The turn of the century brought new winds of modernity. The aesthetic sensibility of the time was marked by a different, freer attitude towards art and life.
Topics
In this section you can search among all our contents by topic to find the different resources available in Spain, such as museums, routes, destinations, monuments and many, many more.
Audience
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Illustrious women of Madrid
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'Portrait of María Guerrero' © Ministerio de Cultura
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View of the Plaza Mayor square in Madrid © Turespaña
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Royal collegiate church of San Isidro in Madrid © Turespaña
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Interior of the convent of Las Descalzas Reales © Turespaña
Artists, queens, nuns… There are many women whose names have been linked to the history of Madrid. Walking around particular places in the city or visiting some of its monuments also offers the chance to learn some interesting facts and stories about a few of the most emblematic feminine characters of the Spanish capital.
Did you know that King Philip IV provoked a scandal and incurred the displeasure of his wife, Elizabeth of France, when he granted his mistress, the actress María Calderón, a privileged balcony in the Plaza Mayor square so she could see the shows and festivities that were held there? And any mention of artists from Madrid must of course include María Guerrero. After a successful career all over the world she bought the theatre where she first made her debut and which today still bears her name in the capital: the Teatro María Guerrero theatre. She also chose to establish her residence there.
If we change the setting and move to the Teatro Real opera house, we can find the image of the sovereign who opened it in 1850, Isabella II, a great opera lover. Going round the building brings us out on the Plaza de Oriente square, whose sculptures recall Queen Elizabeth Farnese, the wife of Philip V. Apparently the statues were intended to be placed on the cornice of the Royal Palace; however, according to legend they were changed after the Queen dreamt that one of them came loose in an earthquake and killed her.
Between heaven and earth
Another illustrious woman from the capital is Santa María de la Cabeza, the wife of San Isidro (the patron saint of the city), whose remains are interred in the royal collegiate church of San Isidro. Another important landmark is Calle Santiago street, in the centre of the city, the place where the holy woman Maria Ana de Jesús was born, who, according to popular belief, coined the famous phrase 'From Madrid to heaven, and in heaven, a little hole to see Madrid through it'.
One more stop not to be missed is the royal monastery of the Descalzas Reales. Founded by Doña Juana de Austria, the daughter of Charles V, this convent was chosen by many noble ladies to seek seclusion. Many years later it was Queen Margaret of Austria, the wife of Philip III, who was responsible for establishing another monastery, La Encarnación, which was connected to the old Alcázar palace through a secret tunnel.
