Imagine a garden filled with ancient olive trees. This was the home and workspace of Ram\u00f3n Men\u00e9ndez Pidal. We are standing before the Casa de Ram\u00f3n Men\u00e9ndez Pidal Plaque. It marks the house where the historian and philologist lived. He resided here from 1925 until his death in 1968.
Ram\u00f3n Men\u00e9ndez Pidal was born in A Coru\u00f1a in 1869. He died in Madrid in 1968. He was a major figure in Spanish historiography. Men\u00e9ndez Pidal authored fundamental books. These covered Spanish history, language, and literature. His notable works include “Cantar del M\u00edo Cid” and “La Espa\u00f1a de El Cid”. Also he wrote “Or\u00edgenes del espa\u00f1ol”. Many of these works were written in this very house.
Juan Antonio Cabezas recalled visiting Men\u00e9ndez Pidal. He remembered the house. It was a large chalet. It was surrounded by three-hundred-year-old olive trees. Climbing vines and rosemary bushes added to the scene. Many flowers bloomed there. When Men\u00e9ndez Pidal walked in his garden, it evoked Arcadia. It was like the Garden of Academo.
The street where the house stood was once called Cuesta del Zarzal. Later the city renamed it Calle de Men\u00e9ndez Pidal. This honored the historian who lived and worked here. The house itself was built between 1922 and 1925. It features a regionalist style.
After Men\u00e9ndez Pidal’s death, the Fundaci\u00f3n Ram\u00f3n Areces bought the house. They wanted to preserve it. It became a research center. Its library holds about 20,000 volumes. It also houses Men\u00e9ndez Pidal’s archives.
Men\u00e9ndez Pidal’s will expressed his wishes for his library. He wanted his著作権料 to be divided. One part would go to each of his two children. The third part was for the library. He wanted to ensure its preservation.
The house is surrounded by old olive trees. Men\u00e9ndez Pidal also planted fruit trees. He added rosemary and rockroses. These plants came from the Sierra de Guadarrama. He wanted to recreate its atmosphere in Madrid.
Inside the house, the Gabinete de Mar\u00eda Goyri displays her thesis. It also holds family photos. Men\u00e9ndez Pidal’s office contains his files, books, and photographs. The Cuarto del Romancero holds valuable collections. These are from the Archivo del Romancero Antiguo and Tradicional.
Today the Casa de Ram\u00f3n Men\u00e9ndez Pidal remains a place of work. It is not just a museum. Researchers continue to use its extensive library and archives. The house and its gardens offer a glimpse into the life and work of a great scholar. The Casa de Ram\u00f3n Men\u00e9ndez Pidal stands as a tribute. It honors his contributions to Spanish history and literature.