Benito Pérez Galdós’ Madrid
Madrid pays tribute to the great writer from the Canary Islands, a key author to discover the life and characters of 19th century Madrid.
Although he was born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in 1843, few writers have been so closely linked to Madrid as Benito Pérez Galdós, to the point that fellow writer Valle-Inclán described his novels as having "a strong smell of smelt of cocido”, a chickpea stew typical of the region.
The author of National Episodes - a collection of 46 novels which relate the history of 19th century Spain- came to the capital at the age of 19 to study at the Central University, but his real schooling occurred in the cafés in Puerta del Sol, at the Teatro Real opera house (which he was often spotted in), and on the trams where all of the social classes mixed together. Novels like Fortunata and Jacinta (Fortunata y Jacinta) and Compassion (Misericordia) are cross-sectional portraits of the city.
Discover the footprints left by the writer and his characters in the city where he lived for most of his life and the activities that Madrid hosted in 2020 to commemorate him on the centenary of his death.
HUELLAS DE GALDÓS GALLERY IN MADRID
A review of the places that marked the life of the writer from the Canary Islands in Madrid and the places where the spirit of his life and works can be felt.
The young writer lived in a boarding house at Calle Fuentes, 3 between 1862 and 1863 during his first months in Madrid.
Galdós was enrolled from 1862 to 1868 in the Faculty of Law at Central University, in the building that is today the assembly hall of the Complutense University and Headquarters of the Marqués de Valdecilla Historic Library (Calle de Noviciado, 3). He never completed his studies.
This legendary café, opened in 1887, was the famous writer’s regular place for debate.
The old house from which Galdós ran El Debate from 1871 to 1873 stood at Number 17, Calle del Fomento until 1989.
In his works, the author refers to some of the most famous restaurants in Madrid, such as this one, located in Carrera de San Jerónimo, and which, according to Galdós, “put a white ties on the pastries from the bakery”. This establishment is famous for its stew.
The house of the beautiful Fortunata Izquierdo, the main character in his book, Fortunata y Jacinta, is at Number 11, Cava de San Miguel, behind the Plaza Mayor.
The family of Juan Santa Cruz, Fortunata’s lover and Jacinta’s husband lived in their own house in Calle de Pontejos, overlooking the square of the same name.
At Calle Hortaleza, 104, there is a plaque announcing the place where the writer founded his publishing house in 1897, following a stormy lawsuit with his publisher. The self-publishing experiment was not very successful and it closed in 1904.
Galdós was named a scholar of the Royal Spanish Academy in 1897. He was nominated for a Nobel Prize on three occasions but never won it: many say because of the boycott of the more conservative sectors of society.
Galdós, who never married, and the famous writer, Emilia Pardo Bazán, one of his longer lasting lovers, met clandestinely here.
Galdós was a regular at the Royal Theatre as revealed in "Memorias de un Desmemoriado".
Galdós was twice a Member of Parliament. The first time was in 1886 and, surprisingly, as an MP for... Guayama (Puerto Rico).
The writer from the Canary Islands has a small but busy street in Madrid that links two main streets from Galdós’ Madrid: Fuencarral and Hortaleza.
In 1942, the novelist’s heirs opened an antique book shop bearing his name at Number 5, Calle Hortaleza.
On one side of the Paseo de Coches of the most popular park in Madrid, you can find this beautiful statue, which was the first work by Victorio Macho. Built by public donations, it was inaugurated on 20 January 1919, with the help of the writer himself, who was by that time crippled and blind.
The writer died at his home at Hilarión Eslava, 7 (close to another literary home, Casa de las Flores) on 4 January 1920. A plaque indicates the small hotel, owned by one of his nephews, where he spent his final years. His penultimate home was nearby (at Alberto Aguilera, 70, on the corner of Gaztambide).
Benito is buried at the Almudena Cemetery (close to the entrance, just in front of the Civil Cemetery). His burial was well-attended and all of the theatres in Madrid closed on that day in memory of him.
To celebrate the centenary of the novelist, the Conde Duque Municipal Public Library has changed its name to the Benito Pérez Galdós Municipal Public Library.
The Chocolatería San Ginés and the San Ginés Arch have been mentioned in numerous literary works, such as the second series of National Episodes (1875 - 1879) by Benito Pérez Galdós.
The presence of the Palacio Real is common in Galdós’ novels, particularly in La de Bringas (1884). In this novel, set in the months prior to the 1868 Revolution, the characters, Francisco Bringas and Rosalía Pipaón live in the upper levels of the Palace with their children.
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