Germans and Austrians in Madrid

They undertook the long journey to southern Europe to try their luck in the Spanish capital, or simply because destiny brought them here.

For the queens of the Austrian Habsburgs, the path to Madrid was laid out, a political union had to be forged between the Catholic strongholds of Europe: Austria and Spain. But it was not just the female rulers who arrived in the rather improvised southern capital. Politicians, scientists, restaurateurs, artisans, writers or photographers and even thieves also ended up here. The entire spectrum of German-Austrian society could be seen in Madrid since the 16th century.

Anyone who looks a little beneath the surface will be surprised that Spanish and Madrid history is peppered with Central European influences. Whether it is Plaza Mayor, the “Barrio de los Letras” around Plaza Santa Ana, Paseo del Prado, Puerta de Alcalá or Gran Vía, everywhere we meet our compatriots in our search for footprints.

Reason enough to celebrate this heritage with a tour that not only takes us to some of the most famous monuments and neighborhoods in Madrid, but also pays tribute to extraordinary men and women. Our historical arc spans from Anne of Austria in the 16th century to Willy Brandt or Günther Grass at the turn of the millennium, from scientists thirsty for knowledge like Hugo Obermaier to Gerda Taro and Ilse Kucsar, artists and political activists in the dark moments of the Spanish Civil War.

Discover this fascinating chapter in the history of Madrid with me!

A dynamic capital for young people

Madrid is a young and vibrant capital with a unique offer of bars and clubs. But our tour is not only about its famous nightlife and its shopping streets with their immense number of shops. Young people will also get to know controversial aspects of Madrid’s current affairs that, after all, are controversial aspects of many large cities: drug trafficking and prostitution in the center of Madrid, neighborhoods like Chueca or Malasaña as synonyms of emancipation but also of touristification, the difficulties of rental market for young people. Apart from totally practical issues such as where to eat well and cheaply, where to shop, how to get around the city alone, etc.

You will see that Madrid is a young city but not necessarily for young people. It is a city with a fast pace, a great desire to live but at the same time with great hardness in the background. We hope that teenagers learn about the most important chapters in Madrid’s history, but that they also take away a vivid and real image of their excursion to Madrid.

Crime and mystery after sunset

Did you know why ghosts swarm around the Plaza Mayor at night? Do you want to know the place where the President of the Government José Canalejas was assassinated? Or the true story behind the escape of Philip II’s secretary, Antonio Pérez? Do you know who was behind the murder of the Count of Villamediana in 1621?

I also tell you the hidden stories of the Royal Palace, the morbid details of the executions under the Habsburgs and Bourbons, the love story between a king and an actress, the amazing and sinister discovery of a German knight in love, the pious works of a rich Italian nothing pious in his younger years.

Madrid nights were always long and excessive. They were also and continue to be the hours of danger and temptation. Therefore, we will visit sites where the most famous ghosts were seen, scenes of bloody murders, tragic accidents, love scandals, and haunted palaces. On two different routes you have the opportunity to get to know the other Madrid, the Madrid at night where nothing is what it seems during the day.

he World Heritage Site between Prado and Retiro

In 2021, UNESCO awarded the coveted World Heritage title to the Spanish capital for the first time. More specifically, to the enclave between Paseo del Prado and Retiro Park. The prize was awarded for the unique symbiosis between art, science and nature, which distinguishes this area east of the historical city center. A symbiosis that dates back largely to the Enlightenment of the 18th century

The Enlightenment in Spain: the Bourbons. A dynasty “imported” from France in 1700. And from the beginning, France was also the great inspiration for the reform work of the new rulers, who wanted to catapult the country into modernity, at least scientifically and artistically. The remains of this Bourbon desire for modernization have survived to this day between the Prado and the Retiro: the Royal Observatory, the Royal Tapestry Factory, the Botanical Garden, the Royal Spanish Academy, the Prado Museum (formerly Cabinet of Natural Sciences ). But we also deal with Fine Arts: Prado, Fountain of Neptune, Fountain of Cybele, Fountain of Apollo. The masterpieces lined the new Bourbon boulevard Paseo del Prado.

A time of progress and light, but also of wars and oppression. According to the motto of the greatest of all Spanish painters of the time, Francisco Goya: “The dream of reason produces monsters.” Join us on this journey to the past, to a glorious era but full of abysses, a journey to the most beautiful monuments of Madrid.