Carabanchel, A Little-known Neighborhood In Madrid

Carabanchel is a district located south of the Spanish capital. Actually two old towns annexed to the city in the middle of the 20th century. One of the modest areas of Madrid, although it does not stop having interesting places. We are going to visit a very little known Madrid district, are you ready?

Carabanchel and its emblematic corners

Carabanchel is a district of the city of Madrid that has approximately 270,000 inhabitants. Although it is not very big, it has places of interest like the ones we are going to show you.

1. The bridge of Toledo

Located right on the edge of the district,  the Toledo Bridge is one of the most emblematic places in Carabanchel. It joins both banks of the Manzanares river, linking the Marqués de Vadillo roundabout in Carabanchel with the Pirámides roundabout

It was built between 1718 and 1727. It is 180 meters long and has 9 eyes. In its upper part, in addition to other decorative elements, there are two niches with the sculptures of San Isidro, patron of the city, and his wife, Santa María de la Cabeza.

This bridge is an excellent starting point to discover one of the most modern attractions of the city, Madrid Río. It is an immense green and leisure space built along the Manzanares in the place where until not long ago it occupied a ring road.

2. Hermitage of San Isidro

We have already appointed the patron of the city. Well, in Carabanchel is the hermitage of San Isidro. Empress Isabel of Portugal was built by order in 1528, on land owned by Iván de Vargas, patron of San Isidro, whom she hired as a well-man and farmer.

The hermitage is next to a spring whose waters, according to tradition, are miraculous. Of course, it is only open a few days a year, coinciding with the feast of the saint. A festival that is celebrated in style every May 15 in the meadow that is right in front of the hermitage.

3. The cemeteries

In Carabanchel there are several cemeteries that have become a point of tourist “attraction” due to their historical value. Without a doubt, it is a slightly different ride, but no less interesting for that.

Among them is the Sacramental of San Lorenzo and San José, which stands out for the quality of its patios. In this cemetery there are tombs and funerary sculptures of all kinds of styles. And famous people such as the sculptor Mariano Bellver or the politician Raimundo Fernández Villaverde are buried here.

Also in Carabanchel are the Sacramental of San Isidro and the Sacramental of San Miguel and San Andrés. And here a curious cemetery is discovered, that of the English. A bucolic and little-known corner of Madrid that was built so that people of other religions could be buried.

5. The farms of Carabanchel, Vista Alegre

Carabanchel was a recreation and rest area for the Madrid aristocracy, who had their farms here. Vista Alegre is one of the treasures of the district. A farm that belonged to Queen María Cristina de Borbón, who, after buying it, turned it into her summer resort. Here a palace was built, a small navigable estuary and gardens were prepared.

Later it would pass into the hands of the Marquis of Salamanca, who would continue to beautify the estate and build a new palace. Years later it would be the State that would buy the farm, which little by little was falling into oblivion and almost abandonment. Today it remains closed, although some public institutions operate inside it.

6. Church of San Sebastián Mártir

To find the origin of this church, one must go back to the reign of the Catholic Monarchs, at the end of the 15th century. It was the residents of Carabanchel who promoted its construction. A temple that was dedicated  to the 3rd century Roman martyr, Saint Sebastian, who was the protector against plagues.

At first the style of this church was very simple. However, over the years it was expanded and remodeled to adapt its appearance to the Madrid baroque.

You have already seen it, the Carabanchel neighborhood also has places of interest that are worth visiting. If you visit the capital and have time, you will discover another side of Madrid, its history and its heritage.