Today I walked around the Paseo de la Castellana (with a pit stop recharging my camera’s battery). I must say there were some striking contrasts. On the Calle de Serrano (calle=street) you’ll find some design shops of know and local/Spanish brands. The Serrano Mall is a must to check out (if you are into poshly things). But once around Chueca, and going more west you pass Malasaña..
To me it was clear, this was a total new district within Madrid. Checking my travel guide I had entered Malasaña. I didn’t read the whole history while going through it though, and that was good as I enjoyed it more. The narrow streets look fine as of the second floor; on ground level however, they are filled with graffiti. It’s not like it’s dirty, it was just missing.. the smell of weed I thought at one point. It went on and on. The streets were not so busy (it was after 17:00), but you hear people working inside, renovating houses. I did actually enjoy walking through the narrow streets. Much more than going through La Latina.
Reading the history of the Masaña district, it started to make sense. In the 19th-century they fought a heroic battle against Napoleon’s troops, and in the 1960s the hippies revived the streets after it deteriorated after World War II. When Franco died, it even became the center of La Movida.
These days, it looks quiet and peaceful. But I should go stroll back through Malasaña during the evenings.. It must be ‘nice’ and a bid wilder. Especially now I heard a bar was playing AC/DC, while they were opening their terrasse on Plaza del Dos de Mayo.