The Plaza de Lavapiés is a public square in the city of

Madrid Madrid ( , ) is the capital and most populous city of Spain. The city has almost 3.4 million inhabitants and a metropolitan area population of approximately 6.7 million. It is the second-largest city in the European Union (EU), and ...

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

. It is located in the area of the same name,

Lavapiés Lavapiés is a historic neighbourhood in the city of Madrid, Spain. It is located in the administrative ward (barrio) of Embajadores in the downtown Centro District, southwest of neighbouring neighbourhood La Latina. The name literally means "w ...

History and description

While the origin of the name is somewhat unclear, Lavapiés was the name of a fountain formerly existing in the location of the current plaza. Though intended as a simple widening of streets, the plaza became a marketplace and space for socialization. The square has been used as a place to voice opinions about local issues such as perceived

gentrification Gentrification is the process of changing the character of a neighborhood through the influx of more Wealth, affluent residents and businesses. It is a common and controversial topic in urban politics and urban planning, planning. Gentrification ...

and the increase of tourists in the area. The Sala Olimpia (a 1925 building by

Secundino Zuazo Secundino Zuazo Ugalde (1887–1971) was a Spanish architect and city planner. Born in Bilbao, he graduated from Madrid's architecture school in 1913, and lived there until his death. Zuazo was a rationalist architect, among the most important o ...

) was demolished in 2001 and replaced by the Valle Inclán Theatre, inaugurated in 2006 to some local controversy. The square is located in the administrative neighborhood of

Embajadores Embajadores is an administrative neighborhood (''barrio'') of Madrid, belonging to the Centro District. Delimitation The area lies in the southern part of the Centro District, the later located in the centre of the city, as its name indicate ...

(part of the

Centro District Centro District is located in the Valles Centrales Region of the State of Oaxaca, Mexico. The district includes the state capital Oaxaca and satellite towns. The district has an average elevation of 1,550 meters. The climate is mild, with average ...

). The Argumosa, Ave María, de la Fe, Lavapiés, Olivar, Sombrerete, Tribulete, and Valencia streets all converge in the square.

References

;Citations ;Bibliography * * * {{authority control Lavapies Embajadores neighborhood, Madrid