Juan Manuel Moreno
A multitude of ghost stories
At building number 1 in the Plaza del Rey (Plaza of the King), on the backside of Gran Vía, we can gaze at one of the one of the more interesting buildings in Madrid: the Casa de las Siete Chimeneas (the house of seven chimneys)
Built during the second half of the 16th century, it has gone through various modifications, throughout the centuries, brought about by its various inhabitants. In the 17th century, the Marques Esquilache, Carlos III’s treasurer, inhabited the building. During the famous riot provoked by the prohibition of wearing long capes and wide brimmed hats (chambergos), the house was assaulted by the rioters.
During Miguel Primo de Rivera’s dictatorship, the house was the headquarters of the Lyceum Club Femenino, a feminist association with the aim of defending woman’s rights. In the 1980s, a Urquijo band was installed in the building and since 1989 it’s been the Ministry of Culture and Education’s headquarters. A multitude of ghost stories have been associated with this building and, although hardly credible, they have only added to the aura of the house.
If you head down Gran Vía, not very far from there you’ll find an unusual bar called Chicote. There’s a museum located inside. It was founded by D. Pedro Chicato (known as Perico Chicote by his friends) in 1930. Now, it has over 18,000 bottles in its possession.
Intellectuals, artists, politicians, and the like have visited this building. It’s also famous for its cocktails. It’s a place you have to visit!
Read more
+6
