BARRIO MALASAÑA
This "barrio de mujeres" or women's district in Madrid is an important part of the city's female history.
The essence of the Malasaña district is feminine. Firstly, it's named after Manuela Malasaña, a young girl shot dead in 1808 during fighting against Napoleon's troops, who became a symbol of the resistance of the people of Madrid. Later nicknamed the "barrio de mujeres" (women's quarter), it is an important place in the city's feminine history. Originally, it was known as the "Refuge". When the Spanish and Portuguese kingdoms became one (1580-1640), many Portuguese migrated to Madrid, and built the church that would become San Antonio de los Alemanes. When Portugal became independent, the church was entrusted to the Confrérie du Refuge. In the streets of this poor neighborhood, the brothers took in many orphaned girls. A school was built next to the church to accommodate them. At the "Refuge", the orphans received vocational training that enabled them to find jobs. Over the years, the neighborhood became, if not a kind of women's community, at least a space of emancipation and empowerment occupied by a growing number of women.
In 2021, the Madrid City Council published a map of the Malasaña district, proposing a feminist itinerary. Comprising 18 stops, it allows visitors to discover its feminine heritage. The itinerary is easy to follow, with detailed explanations (in Spanish and English). You'll follow in the footsteps of Malasaña, as well as many other icons, such as writer Rosa Chacel and playwright María Lejárraga.
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