Who paid the ransom for Miguel de Cervantes when he was captured by pirates? Here at the Cervantes Plaque, affixed to the Convent of the Barefoot Trinitarians, the answer lies hidden in plain sight. The Cervantes Plaque marks not only Cervantes’s burial place but also commemorates his connection to the Trinitarian Order. The plaque, located near a bust of Cervantes by Ponciano Ponzano, tells us he was buried here in 1616. Cervantes chose this church, a beautiful example of Madrid Baroque architecture, because the Trinitarian Order paid his ransom when he was held captive in Algiers around 1580. Cervantes had a natural daughter who was a nun in this very convent. He was buried here, amongst those he felt indebted to, those who gave him back his freedom. This seemingly simple plaque whispers a tale of captivity, redemption, and literary greatness. It serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles Cervantes faced and the enduring power of his literary legacy. His masterpiece, “Don Quixote,” was published in 1605 and 1615, a testament to the spirit of a man who never gave up, despite the hardships he endured.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to