Lucio del Valle Plaque

Did the Lucio del Valle Plaque ever imagine it would witness such a transformation? Here, on Calle de Valverde, we stand before a seemingly simple plaque. It commemorates a man whose vision reshaped Madrid. The Lucio del Valle Plaque marks the former home of Lucio del Valle (1815-1874). He was a civil engineer and architect who left an indelible mark on this city. The inscription details his impressive achievements. He directed the construction of the Canal de Isabel II. This canal brought fresh water to a parched Madrid, changing daily life drastically. Del Valle also oversaw the redesign of Puerta del Sol. He transformed it from a congested intersection into the iconic public space we know today. His contributions extended to education too. He was the director of the School of Civil Engineering, shaping the next generation of engineers. Born in Madrid in 1815, del Valle’s brilliance showed early. He pursued both civil engineering and architecture. By 1840, he designed the Madrid-Valencia highway. This includes the impressive “Centipede” bridge over the Cabriel River. His work on the Canal de Isabel II started in 1851. It employed thousands of workers, both free and convicts. After many years of work, the canal finally opened in 1858. The inauguration featured a grand fountain on Calle San Bernardo. It shot water 30 meters high, symbolizing the newfound vitality the canal brought to the city. Del Valle’s redesign of Puerta del Sol enlarged the area and gave it its semi-circular shape. He even placed the same fountain from the canal’s inauguration in the square’s center. The Lucio del Valle Plaque reminds us of the man behind these essential city landmarks. He died in this very house in 1874, at the age of 59. His legacy lives on in the flow of water through the Canal de Isabel II, in the bustling energy of Puerta del Sol, and in the plaque that quietly honors his vision.