Isn’t it calming here? This intricate medieval square is one of the city’s best-preserved historical monuments. It stands in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle typically found in other squares in Madrid. The buildings here have witnessed much over the centuries and tell an intriguing story. You can see the evolution of architecture in Spain over the past three centuries. Let’s focus on one such architectural marvel, which is right in front of you: the Casa de la Villa, an emblem of Habsburg Madrid. Speaking of the Habsburgs, let me share an interesting blast from the past. Do you remember the sculptor of the King on the Horse? He belonged to the Habsburg dynasty. Habsburg King Philip the second first came to Madrid in the fifteenth century, seeking better living standards for his subjects. He brought with him about seven thousand people, all needing housing and firewood. While the city flourished during his reign, his successors struggled to meet his high standards, particularly the last Habsburg king, Charles the second. We will see their paintings in our other stops, but here’s the thing: the Habsburgs had a rather peculiar appearance. This was due to intense inbreeding, as they desperately tried to keep power within the family. Charles the second suffered from constant health issues, physical disabilities, and what became known as Habsburg Jaw, which prevented him from having children. His eight great-grandparents were all descended from the same woman, Joanna the Insane—a rather peculiar family tree. Now, what is Habsburg Jaw? Due to inbreeding, many members of the dynasty had a protruding lower jaw, a feature so prominent that even contemporary portrait artists could not conceal it. This condition even affected their ability to eat and speak properly. You’ll see what I mean once you look at their paintings. Returning to Casa de la Villa, notice the sloping roofs—a hallmark of Habsburg architecture. The Habsburgs originated from Austria, where heavy snowfalls necessitated sloping roofs to allow snow to slide off. Although Madrid doesn’t experience much snow, the Habsburgs maintained this architectural style, as you can see before you today. Take a moment to appreciate the details, and before we move to our next stop, here’s a bonus story. At the center of the square, you’ll find a statue of Álvaro de Bazán, an admiral renowned for his strategic prowess. He was initially tasked with leading the Spanish Armada’s invasion of England in the sixteenth century. The King trusted Álvaro for his strategic skills, but sadly, he died a few months before the invasion. His successor, while capable, was not as skilled, and the invasion ended in disaster. Historians speculate that if Álvaro had survived, the descendants of England might have been speaking Spanish today! The statue was inaugurated in eighteen hundred and ninety-one to commemorate the three hundredth anniversary of the admiral’s death. Look around and take it all in, and I’ll see you at our next stop.
