The Making of Madrid

To coincide with the launch of her book “The Shortest History of Madrid”, Linda Jaivin sat down with me to discuss the fearless women, wild fashion trends and popular uprisings that have shaped Madrid’s history across the ages.
Linda is a prolific writer, translator and cultural commentator based in Australia. Well-known for both her novels and work on China, in this book she turned her attention to Spain’s capital, which she describes as “A playground for kings and courts, a proving ground for the talented and a battleground between democracy and fascism.” 
In this interview, we tried to cover as much ground as possible but the book is vast in scope so hopefully it will whet your appetite to ⁠buy a copy⁠! 
If you are interested in the history of Madrid, there is plenty of content on my ⁠blog ⁠to check out.

Visit my website and subscribe for a FREE copy of Madrid Beyond the Guidebook
⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shr.pn/tiNH⁠⁠⁠⁠
To support the Making of Madrid, consider buying a copy of ⁠⁠⁠Quiet Madrid⁠⁠⁠⁠, my guide to the city's tranquil spaces in hidden places.
You can also⁠⁠ leave a tip⁠⁠ to show your support.
Or you could buy one of my ⁠⁠⁠⁠audio tours on Voicemap⁠⁠⁠⁠. 
Sign up for my ⁠⁠⁠newsletter to get a free copy of Madrid Beyond the Guidebook⁠⁠⁠
(visit themakingofmadrid.com if you can't use these links)

In this episode, I take you on a self-guided walking tour of Puente de Vallecas: one of Madrid's most fascinating and overlooked working-class neighbourhoods. From its industrial origins and Civil War history to flamenco, Venezuelan street food, and one of the best sunsets in the city, this is a full day out that will make you see Madrid differently.
The difference between Puente de Vallecas and Villa de Vallecas — and why it matters
The neighbourhood's history: from industrial district to shantytown to Civil War battleground
Why the M-30 ring road has shaped (and divided) this part of the city
The story of Robert Capa's house on Calle Peroncel, the controversy over its future, and the wider debate about Civil War memory in Spain
Beautiful 1920s tiled facades on Avenida de Monte Igueldo, including a surviving lechería (milk bar) front
Lunch at Teke Madrid — Venezuelan street food including papitas de yuca and tequeños
Neo-mudéjar brickwork houses hidden throughout the neighbourhood
The elegant Boulevard de Peña Gorbea and its 1920s apartment blocks
The statue of the Abuela Rockera — Vallecas's very own rock grandmother
Bar La Bombonera de Vallecas — a local antifascist institution
Rayo Vallecano — La Liga's working-class club, el orgullo de la clase obrera
Drinks at La Trinchera, a rock and punk live venue inside the Mercado de Numancia
Flamenco at Taberna Flamenca El Cotijo — and why it's the best-value flamenco in Madrid
Dinner at Restaurante Puerto Fonce Badón: huevos rotos con morcilla for two at €14
Watching the sunset from Cerro del Tío Pío (Las Siete Tetas) — and the remarkable story of what those hills are made from
The Batalla Naval de Vallecas — Madrid's giant annual water pistol fight every July

📚 Quiet Madrid — Felicity's guide to the quieter side of the city
🎧 Audio tours of Madrid

Go to any historic bar in central Madrid and chances are Don Ernesto will have enjoyed an alcoholic beverage there. But Ernest Hemingway's love affair with the city went beyond watering holes - though obviously he loved a drink or ten!
In this episode I speak with journalist Stephen Phelan about the writers' strong connection to Spain's capital. Stephen gives tours on Hemingway's Madrid so is a great person to give the inside scoop on this subject and the interview covers a lot of ground from the Civil War to Eva Gardner to bullfighting. If you want to know more you can always hire Stephen in person after listening!
These tours are run through Fernwayer. Visit the website to download their app.

Support the Making of Madrid
Visit my website and subscribe for a FREE copy of Madrid Beyond the Guidebook
⁠⁠⁠https://shr.pn/tiNH⁠⁠⁠
To support the Making of Madrid, consider buying a copy of ⁠⁠Quiet Madrid⁠⁠⁠, my guide to the city's tranquil spaces in hidden places.
You can also⁠ leave a tip⁠ to show your support.
Or you could buy one of my ⁠⁠⁠audio tours on Voicemap⁠⁠⁠. 
Sign up for my ⁠⁠newsletter to get a free copy of Madrid Beyond the Guidebook⁠⁠
(visit themakingofmadrid.com if you can't use these links)

Tumbling down the hill in downtown Madrid, El Rastro flea market is chaotic, historic, and endlessly entertaining. Join me for a complete guide to Madrid's oldest Sunday market, covering its fascinating history from medieval slaughterhouse to modern bargain-hunting paradise, with insider tips on where to find the best antiques, how to haggle like a local, and which hidden corners offer the most authentic experience.

Visit my website and subscribe for a FREE copy of Madrid Beyond the Guidebook
⁠⁠https://shr.pn/tiNH⁠⁠

To support the Making of Madrid, consider buying a copy of ⁠⁠Quiet Madrid⁠⁠⁠, my guide to the city's tranquil spaces in hidden places.
You can also⁠ leave a tip⁠ to show your support.
Or you could buy one of my ⁠⁠⁠audio tours on Voicemap⁠⁠⁠. 
Sign up for my ⁠⁠newsletter to get a free copy of Madrid Beyond the Guidebook⁠⁠
(visit themakingofmadrid.com if you can't use these links)

Useful links
Other open air markets in Madrid
Pantera (the 'manteros' union)

Luke Stegemann's 'A New biography of Madrid' has been a hit with both the Spanish and English language press. An ode to a city he has much affection for, it's a lyrical read that delves into the history of the city from its origins as an outpost of the Emirate of Cordoba, to the heart of a vast Catholic Empire, to its present day as a modern European city.
In this interview we tried to cover as much ground as possible but the book is vast in scope so hopefully it will whet your appetite to buy a copy! 
If you are interested in the history of Madrid there are plenty of short posts on my blog to check out.

Visit my website and subscribe for a FREE copy of Madrid Beyond the Guidebook
⁠⁠⁠https://shr.pn/tiNH⁠⁠⁠
To support the Making of Madrid, consider buying a copy of ⁠⁠Quiet Madrid⁠⁠⁠, my guide to the city's tranquil spaces in hidden places.
You can also⁠ leave a tip⁠ to show your support.
Or you could buy one of my ⁠⁠⁠audio tours on Voicemap⁠⁠⁠. 
Sign up for my ⁠⁠newsletter to get a free copy of Madrid Beyond the Guidebook⁠⁠
(visit themakingofmadrid.com if you can't use these links)