Casa de la Panadería

Madrid’s heart beats within Plaza Mayor. And at its northern edge, the Casa de la Panaderìa stands as a testament to the city’s enduring spirit. This isn’t just another building. The Casa de la Panaderìa has witnessed Madrid’s history unfold, from royal celebrations to devastating fires. Originally built in 1590 as the town’s primary bakery, hence its name “Bakery House,” its lower levels bustled with the aroma of fresh bread. The Casa de la Panaderìa wasn’t always the vibrant spectacle you see today. It was initially a simpler structure, designed by Francisco de Mora. His nephew, Juan Gómez de Mora, later integrated it into the grand design of Plaza Mayor in 1617, giving it the four-story elegance, complete with arcaded ground floor and angular towers. The Plaza Mayor, and the Casa de la Panaderìa with it, has been ravaged by fire three times. The first two, in 1631 and 1672, necessitated complete rebuilds of the Casa de la Panaderìa. After the second fire, the artists Claudio Coello and José Jiménez Donoso adorned its interior and facade with breathtaking frescoes. Remarkably, during the third fire in 1790, the Casa de la Panaderìa survived. Its resilience and architectural features even influenced Juan de Villanueva’s subsequent reconstruction of the plaza. The colorful frescoes you admire today are the work of Carlos Franco, a modern master. Commissioned in 1988, they replaced deteriorated earlier works. They depict mythological figures like Cybele and Bacchus, intertwined with the rich history of Madrid. Look closely, and you’ll find stories whispered in every brushstroke. Inside the Casa de la Panaderìa, history continues to echo. The Salón Real, once used by royalty, now hosts city council receptions and civil weddings. The vaulted basement, the Sala de Bóvedas, now serves as an exhibition space, its four-meter-high ceilings a testament to the building’s grandeur. And on the ground floor, in the Sala de Columnas, you’ll find the Madrid Tourist Board, ready to help you explore the city this building has watched over for centuries. The Casa de la Panaderìa isn’t just a building. It’s a living story. And you, standing here today, are a part of its ongoing narrative.