Fancy a step back in time? Gran Café Gijón awaits. It is more than just a café. Gran Café Gijón stands as a living testament to Madrid’s literary and artistic spirit.
Established in 1888 by Gumersindo Gómez, Gran Café Gijón was a tribute to his hometown in Asturias. He probably did not know it would become “Madrid’s last literary café.” The Gran Café Gijón has seen Spain’s celebrated thinkers and creatives. Canalejas and Ramón y Cajal all engaged in intellectual discourse within its walls. Their discussions echo through the years. This makes the Gran Café Gijón a literary haven.
In 1914, Benigno López Jabato became the owner. He was a barber. He agreed to a purchase price of 240000 reales. He also agreed to preserve its name and identity as a café. The tables at Gran Café Gijón still bear witness to conversations. Intellectual gatherings still occur here today.
Gran Café Gijón has left its mark on Spanish culture. It appears in countless literary works and films. Marino Gómez Santos wrote “Crónicas del Café Gijón.” Francisco Umbral penned “La noche que llegué al Café Gijón.” Marcos Ordóñez compiled “La Ronda del Gijón.” This testimonial book features seventeen figures associated with the café.
The café boasts a charming terrace. It sits on the Paseo de Recoletos. Patrons savor coffee and pastries. They soak in the artistic atmosphere.
Gumersindo Gómez opened Gran Café Gijón after making his fortune in Cuba. It is centrally located. It has an exclusive location. Gumersindo saw Spain lose its lands in Cuba.
He sold it to a barber. He made sure the original name stayed. The Escamilla family runs it today. They keep it a family business.
Central heating was installed in Madrid homes in 1928. Before that, people went to cafés in the afternoons. Gran Café Gijón quickly gained a literary air. Writers, filmmakers, bohemians, and artists gathered there. They chatted and organized gatherings.
There was a meeting for comedians. Another was for filmmakers. Each had its assigned table. They shared opinions over drinks. It was hard to find a seat. It was said to be harder than finding one in the Royal Academy of Language.
A mailbox was on one of the main hall’s columns. Customers left messages. They looked for work. They left love letters. Gran Café Gijón acted like a small temp agency.
Pepe Bárcenas was the maître. He told stories about Saddam Hussein’s visits. He told of Buffalo Bill riding a horse through the entrance. Franco liked the cod dish. Camilo José Cela inaugurated the Café Gijón novel prize.
In the 1970s and 80s, Tip y Col led a boom. A reminder of them hangs in the lower hall. José Luis Col wrote a quote there. Alfonso was a key figure. He was the match seller. He lived in a wooden closet by the entrance. He sold tobacco and candy. He also loaned money to artists. He greeted everyone. He always trusted people. When he died in 2007, writers gifted a plaque. Arturo Pérez-Reverte wrote it. It says Alfonso sold tobacco and watched life pass.
Today Gran Café Gijón has an open kitchen. Since the 1980s, it has had a terrace. A younger crowd comes. They enjoy music and cocktails. A piano concert happens one Friday a month. The Gijón offers homemade food. Politicians often have breakfast there. Executives have lunch. Tourists visit on weekends.
Gran Café Gijón is Madrid’s last literary café. It hosts exhibitions by young painters. It maintains gatherings. Sánchez Dragó and Vargas Llosa promote them.
Every Madrid native loves Gran Café Gijón. It is a café with history. Cultural gatherings have given it a unique personality. Long live this institution of humanities and letters. Step inside. Feel the history.