Lavapiés: The most multicultural neighbourhood of Madrid, Private Walking Tour

1. Lavapies
   2h
   Lavapiés is one of the most popular neighbourhoods in Madrid, and often known as the most multicultural in Europe. It is located inside the downtown area, an industrial part of the city since the XVIII century, when royal factories were created. Bullfighters, Caleseros (carriages drivers), and Manolos (Jewish descendants) inhabited here traditionally.
   The tiny and old apartments made for the low-class workers were chip enough for the immigrants from the '80s on, generating a new cultural landscape.
2. Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia
   15m
   Outside Lavapiés, we can appreciate a great contrast: Royal Monasteries, Aristocratic Palaces, and wonderful Buildings, like Reina Sofía Museum (Built as the General Hospital).
   We will not enter.
3. 10m
   Wrongly known as the old Sinagoga, San Lorenzo church was the heart of Lavapiés social life and traditions.
4. 15m
   For the past 10 years, there have been great projects to rehabilitate the old buildings and promote Lavapiés’ economy through culture. Theatres, Exhibition centers, cultural foundations, and a circus have raised up. It has also dozens of bars, cafes, and restaurants from every possible country.
   We will see some of them during the tour, starting from Valle Inclan Theater.
5. 15m
   During the industrial revolution, many factories were raised here. Still today we can see some of the facades of that old industrial architecture, mixed with contemporary buildings.
   The working-class movements within those factories are one of the important seeds for the identity of the Lavapiés neighborhood.
6. La Tabacalera de Lavapies
   15m
   From 1780, this is the oldest factory building we preserve of the long tradition of Lavapiés.
   Famous - among other things - for the up to 6000 women who worked here and their fighter spirit.
   Nowadays, a part of this huge building is a social center, administrated by the neighbors, with non-profit aims; a part of it is a great contemporary art exhibition center, and part of it is still abandoned.
   One of the bests examples of the great mixture that characterizes Lavapiés.
7. 10m
   The old school and church where the many orphans of Lavapiés use to study were destroyed during the civil war. Kept in ruins for decades, today has become probably the most beautiful library of Madrid, and a witness of history.
8. 10m
   One example of the popular architecture of the industrial revolution for the workers, known as Corralas. Often a 10 m2 room for the entire family, without light nor water.
   Still today some of them are in use, often used by immigrants with little resources that inhabit the neighborhood.

Pickup details

Pick-up doesn´t include any transportation. On the way, the guide will provide some general information about the city and the tour itself.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels