Bravo Murillo Street is one of the streets in Madrid which has changed most throughout the years. Not only has its aspect and environment changed, but we must also point out that the people who live in the area are different from those of the past. Many years ago, Bravo Murillo Street was on the outskirts of Madrid.

Nowadays, this noteworthy area, which is located in the north of Madrid, combines the most traditional character with the most avant-garde movement. Do you know what it was like a hundred years ago? After strolling along Calle Bailén, today we will take a walk into the past of Calle Bravo Murillo.

A GREAT CHANGE

The Square or Glorieta de Cuatro Caminos is where Calle Bravo Murillo is divided into two parts. The southern part of Bravo Murillo Street is located in the area of Chamberí, whereas the northern part is in the area of Tetuán.

This long avenue, full of tradition and modernity, has its origins in the old road which connected Madrid to Irún. The street is named after a politician of the XIX century, called Juan Bravo Murillo. He carried out the building of Canal de Isabel II, which we have already mentioned in this blog.

In the past, Calle Bravo Murillo was a very modest and humble part of Madrid. It was full of beggars and people with a bad reputation. At present, it has absolutely nothing to do with what it was before. Now it is a great avenue and undoubtedly one of the main business and shopping centres in Madrid. This change is due to the fact that many of the humble houses of the past where replaced, along the years, by tall tower blocks and buildings.

A VERY PLEASANT STREET TO LIVE IN

Calle Bravo Murillo has undergone countless changes till it has reached the aspect it has nowadays. It has wide pavements lined with trees, full of passers-by and neighbours who are window-shopping.

There are plenty of small haberdashery shops as well as hardware stores. We can also find tiny shops which sell odd pieces of material such as velvet or silk. All of these shops are usually crowded. Furthermore, there are lots of bars and cafés. Many meetings have been held here in order to start a business or pull off a good deal. Unfortunately, an emblematic building such as Cinema Europa, has disappeared.

It was in the area of Tetuán. However, other buildings have survived such as the legendary and noisy Market or Mercado Maravillas. This market, built in 1933, is the largest in Europe and the most popular one in Madrid.

CALLE BRAVO MURILLO AND THE UNDERGROUND

Did you know that Calle Bravo Murillo was the one of the first in Madrid to have tunnels built for the underground? In 1924, Line 2 of the underground was inaugurated, and later in 1929, Line 1 was also opened.

Cinema Europa Picture: Urbanity

Rest of the old pictures: www.madridantiguo.org

Modern picture: Ricardo Ricote