Madrid/La Latina-Austrias

La Latina and Austrias are neighbourhoods in central Madrid. They can be labelled as the old town of the Spanish capital.

Understand
La Latina is one of the oldest and most original parts of Madrid. It is in place of the medina of Muslim al-Majrit, precursor of the present city. In La Morería (the "Moorish" quarter), some structures of the erstwhile Arabic settlement can still be found. However, it is dominated by colourful buildings from the 18th century. La Latina is criss-crossed by narrow lanes and has a laid-back, typically Mediterranean character. This is the place to go to experience Madrilene folk traditions, taste original tapas, sherry or vermouth on tap. Moreover, El Rastro, the capital's most famous flea market is in this district.

El Madrid de los Austrias or barrio de los Austrias is named after the "House of Austria", another name for the Habsburg dynasty who had their ancestral seat in Austria, but also ruled the Spanish Empire for nearly two centuries, when it was at the height of its power (16th and 17th centuries). The first Spanish King from the House of Habsburg Carlos I (Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire) did not reside in Madrid, but Felipe II, his son, moved the residence there and the Spanish Habsburgs built a lot of stuff in Madrid up until the death of Carlos II, a sickly child whose inability to produce an heir may or may not have been due to severe royal inbreeding. This district is the traditional royal and political centre of power, encompassing the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor (the main square of old Madrid), the old town hall, the Foreign Ministry and other government offices. Several of Madrid's most famous sights are concentrated here as well as the main flow of tourists.

Get in
Metro stations in this part of the city are, and. Station (also Cercanías/suburban rail C1, C7, C10) is near the northwestern corner of Austrias,  (and Cercanías C5) in the southeastern corner of La Latina. From the central it is just a 350-metre walk to Plaza Mayor.

Landmarks and architecture