In the heart of Madrid, a silent tribute graces a building at Calle Maldonado, 25. The Armando Palacio Valdés Plaque, a simple yet elegant testament to a literary giant. This plaque commemorates Armando Palacio Valdés, a prominent Spanish writer of the 19th and 20th centuries. It marks his final residence, a place where he crafted many of his renowned works. The plaque was installed on July 7, 1941, three years after Valdés’s death, amidst the turmoil of the Spanish Civil War. The idea was conceived earlier that year, initiated by Mariano Benlliure, president of the Writers’ Association. The City Council granted permission, recognizing Valdés’s contribution to Spanish literature. Numerous prestigious institutions, including the Royal Spanish Academy and the Madrid City Council, participated in the homage.
The unveiling ceremony was a significant event. Madrid’s mayor, Alberto Alcocer, presided over the event. Novelist Wenceslao Fernández Flórez presented the plaque on behalf of the Association of Writers and Artists. Dignitaries, including the president of the Provincial Council and ministers from Japan and Santo Domingo, attended the ceremony. Aniceto Marinas García, a renowned sculptor, created the plaque. García was also responsible for other notable works in Madrid, such as the representation of Liberty on the Alfonso XIII monument in Retiro Park and the Heroes of Dos de Mayo monument in Parque del Oeste. The plaque itself is a work of art. A bronze bas-relief of Valdés’s profile, framed by a laurel wreath, adorns a white marble plaque. An inscription reads: “A D. ARMANDO PALACIO VALDÉS / LA ASOCIACIÓN DE ESCRITORES / Y ARTISTAS ESPAÑOLES. / * 4 OCTUBRE 1853. † 28 ENERO 1938.” The Armando Palacio Valdés Plaque serves as a reminder of the writer’s legacy. He was born in Asturias in 1853 and died in Madrid in 1938. His works often portrayed Spanish customs and society. Some of his novels, such as “La Hermana San Sulpicio” and “La Aldea Perdida,” were even adapted into films. This plaque, nestled in the Salamanca district, offers a glimpse into the life of a remarkable writer who called Madrid home.