Literary Quarter

The Literary Quarter (Barrio de las Letras) is named in homage to the great writers who lived its streets during the Golden Age. Cervantes, Quevedo, and Lope de Vega all frequented this area, located between the Paseo del Prado and the Plaza de Santa Ana, one of Madrid's most popular squares thanks to the charm of its pedestrian streets and its many shops and restaurants, which make it especially lively on weekends.

From the Plaza de Santa Ana, famous for its terraces and tapas bars, streets like Calle de Huertas slope down to the Paseo del Prado. The cobblestones of these streets are engraved with quotes from great Spanish writers.

On Calle Lope de Vega, in the Church of San Ildefonso (Convent of the Barefoot Trinitarians), a commemorative plaque marks the spot where the remains of Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote, rest.

Not far from there is the house-museum of the great playwright Lope de Vega—interestingly, on Cervantes Street—who is also buried in the neighborhood, in the Church of San Sebastián (Atocha Street). One of the favorite haunts of those who frequent the neighborhood is the Mercado de las Ranas (Frog Market). Several weekends throughout the year, local merchants bring their wares out onto the street, decorate their shop windows, and offer special promotions, while concerts and street theater enliven the atmosphere. The local merchants have created a website where you can find everything this popular Madrid enclave has to offer, as well as interesting cultural and historical information.