CORTES NEIGHBORHOOD
Barrio de las Letras is one of the most charming and interesting places in Madrid, with a bohemian flavor and magic quality that makes it unique in the world.
Cortes is a neighborhood of the Centro district. Within it is the area known as Barrio de las Letras. The official name of Cortes is because within this neighborhood is the Congress of Deputies, the lower house of the General Courts (Cortes) of Spain.
Barrio de las Letras is one of Madrid’s most charming and interesting places, with a bohemian flavor and a magical quality that makes it unique worldwide. “Barrio de las Letras” is a popular name many prefer when referring to this area. The name recalls its literary splendor developed throughout the 16th and 17th centuries. Some of the most prominent writers of the Golden Age of Spanish literature settled in this area, such as Miguel de Cervantes, Quevedo, Góngora, and Lope de Vega.
Located between the Paseo del Prado and the Plaza de Santa Ana, Barrio de las Letras is one of Madrid’s most charming and interesting places, with a bohemian flavor and a magical quality that makes it unique worldwide.
The neighborhood still retains an aura of tradition with its architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, numerous pedestrian areas, rich history, and tranquility. However, it has been evolving with an increasing number of unique shops, charming restaurants, and tapas bars, making it a major attraction for tourists.
The area boasts a vibrant nightlife, particularly around Calle Huertas – the main artery of the neighborhood – and the popular Plaza de Santa Ana, a favorite spot for both locals and visitors, renowned for its terraces and tapas bars. Plaza de Santa Ana serves as the nerve center of the Barrio de las Letras, featuring statues of famous playwrights García Lorca and Calderón de la Barca.
The Barrio de las Letras boasts the Thyssen-Bornemisza museum, and is located next to the Museo del Prado, both of which are must-sees when visiting the capital. These are the most important art museums in Madrid and among the most significant in the world. Another noteworthy museum in the area is the CaixaForum.
Other buildings worth a visit are the Lope de Vega House-Museum which has survived from the time of the Spanish Golden Age, the Church and Convent of Las Trinitarias Descalzas, where Miguel de Cervantes was buried.
Most of the buildings that remain in the Barrio de las Letras were built at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. However, the Palace of the Count of Tepa and the Royal Academy of History date back to the 18th century. Other buildings of architectural interest are the Spanish Theater, the Simeón Building and the Ateneo de Madrid.
MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL VENUES
Museum Thyssen-Bornemisza
Houses a remarkable private art collection spanning seven centuries of European art, from the early 1200s to the late 20th century. It includes works by renowned artists such as Dürer, Frans Hals, Gauguin, Van Gogh, and Kirchner.
Caixa Forum
A museum and cultural center located on Paseo del Prado, sponsored by Caixa Bank, featuring exhibitions of ancient, modern, and contemporary art. The building itself is iconic, featuring a stunning vertical garden wall.
Plaza de Santa Ana
Situated in the heart of the neighborhood, this picturesque square is home to Madrid’s oldest theater, Teatro Español (17th century), and monuments dedicated to Spanish Golden Age writer Pedro Calderón de la Barca and poet/playwright Federico García Lorca. It is one of Madrid’s most vibrant nightlife hubs.
Church and Convent of Las Trinitarias Descalzas
Founded in 1612, this church features a large Baroque altar and is the final resting place of writer Miguel de Cervantes, buried here in 1616.
Lope de Vega House-Museum
Located on Calle Cervantes, this 16th-century house was purchased by the great Spanish Golden Age writer in 1610. Lope de Vega lived here until his death in 1635.
MICHELIN-STARRED RESTAURANTS
The Cortes neighborhood boasts two Michelin-starred restaurants:
- Yugo The Bunker
- Gofio by Cicero Canary
