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Sofia
Posted
Hola amigos! I stayed at the Hostal Santa Barbara last February (2001) and loved the neighborhood. Can anyone and everyone tell me details and facts about the neighborhood surrounding the Plaza Santa Barbara and Plaza Alonso Martinez? I discovered some of the night life and the eateries and would like to know more about the history.

The Hostal Santa Barbara was very nice. We especially liked the view and our room was wonderful. The man running the place was also very nice.
 
Posts: 37 | Location: upstate NY | Registered: 02 July 2001Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
jer
"the man!"
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Hey Sofia, you asked for it!

Manuel Alonso Mart�nez was actually born in Burgos in 1827 and was lawyer ---> judge ---> politician while at the same time being a philosopher and academic. He had great influence during the reign of many a king/queen from Isabel II to Alfonso XII and was a huge supporter of the Spanish Monarchy during the first republic. He founded many political parties and was even president of the Northern Railway System.

His biggest influence on Madrid was during his stint as Civil Governer of the city.

Also a poet and actor (man, I think he was even bussier than I am) he earned a place in the history of Spain and was seen as a truly great man.

Anyway... some links for you:


www.ubu.es/servicios/aualmart/historia_y_vida.html - a complete life's story!


www.xtec.es/~jrovira6/bio/alonso.htm - a brief biography.

Both pages are in Spanish.

So, as far as the actual neighborhood, a great place and the Plaza de Santa B�rbara is one of my favortite squares in Madrid and without a doubt one of the greenest.

Saludos,
jer...


- madrid nut, webweaver of www.multimadrid.com and keeper of the plazaCam.
- worlds biggest outdoor internet cafe --> www.plazawifi.info - GET CONNECTED!!!
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- already have a cell phone, get a spanish SIM card for it at spainSIM.com.
 
Posts: 12232 | Location: ny, u.s.a. --> madrid, spain --> the plaza mayor ! | Registered: 30 June 1998Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Sofia
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While there, I did not realize that the Ceverceria Santa Barbara was a special place to visit. Upon returning to NY state, I read in a travel book about its unique atmosphere and the brewery within.

We stumbled upon the Hostal Santa Barbara while dragging our suitcases and searching for a room. It has 13 rooms and was an excellent find.

Thank you Jeremy for the history and the links. I would recommend this neighborhood, especially for someone who would like to stay near a metro stop that would take you back to the airport.
 
Posts: 37 | Location: upstate NY | Registered: 02 July 2001Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
jer
"the man!"
Picture of jer
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Hi agian Sof�a.

Well, that hostal sure was a find. An amazing Plaza to stay in. One of my sponsors, www.funiversal.com is a travel agency that is 2 flights up from the hostal Santa Barbara in the same building, what a coinkidink Big Grin !

The "Cervecer�a Santa Barbara" (Saint Barbara Beer House" - it just does not have the same charming name in English) is very famouse and has been around forever. In fact, there is a second one on the Calle Alcal� (corner of Calle Goya) but it is not as centrally located nor is there as much atmosphere. I prefer the one in the Plaza de Santa Barbara myself.

Saludos,
jer...


- madrid nut, webweaver of www.multimadrid.com and keeper of the plazaCam.
- worlds biggest outdoor internet cafe --> www.plazawifi.info - GET CONNECTED!!!
--------------------
- rent or buy a cell phone from me for your stay in spain, more info at Onspanishtime.com.
- already have a cell phone, get a spanish SIM card for it at spainSIM.com.
 
Posts: 12232 | Location: ny, u.s.a. --> madrid, spain --> the plaza mayor ! | Registered: 30 June 1998Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
Sofia
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Do you know the Cervantes story (novela ejemplar) LA GITANILLA? I am uncertain about this, but I heard that the gypsy camp from that story was based on a gypsy camp in the Santa Barbara neighborhood during the 16th century.

In other areas of Spain I have seen plaques that say "such and such a story by Cervantes was set in this spot". I saw two in Sevilla, one on Calle Sierpes and another in the ayuntamiento building near Plaza San Francisco.

I'm a great fan of LA GITANILLA, partly because my students read it annually and they respond very well to the love story and the poetic images.

The wonderful old building that houses the Hostal Santa Barbara and the travel agent you mention is spectacular. There is a photo of it and its view of Plaza Alonso Martinez on my humble web page:
http://www.geocities.com/srasofia/madrid2001.html

Can't wait for school to start so that I can turn 90 kids on to your site!

If anyone in Madrid lives in this Santa Barbara neighborhood and reads this forum, please add details here.

Thank you Jeremy.
 
Posts: 37 | Location: upstate NY | Registered: 02 July 2001Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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