In 1561 Philip II established the Court in Madrid, and Plaza de la Villa was the center of the Habsburg Madrid
History of Plaza de la Villa
In the 15th century, when Madrid wasn’t yet the capital, Henry IV honoured the city with the title “Noble y leal Villa de Madrid” (Noble and loyal Town of Madrid) and he turned this small square into a Plaza Mayor (main square). Main squares were created in many towns in the Middle Ages in order to gather in one place the market, the festivities, justice and government. In Madrid the market soon moved to the wider Plaza de la Paja, wider, and later to El Arrabal square, which we know today as the Plaza Mayor.
Before the Casa de la Villa was built, the council meetings were held in the Church of San Salvador (located in the same square) and in private residences. Finally in 1629 Philip IV ordered to build the Council House, that would also hold the City Jail.
Monuments in this square
- CASAS DE LUJANES (Lujanes House 15th Century)
- CASA DE CISNEROS (Cisneros House, 16th Century)
- CASA DE LA VILLA (Council House, 17th Century)
- Sculpture to Don Alvaro de Bazan, by Mariano Benlliure (1891)
