valley of the fallen
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Virtual Walks through the Town
A stroll through the 18th century

From the local Tourist and Information Office we will begin our itinerary through the 18th Century walking towards the right to the street Floridablanca, where we will find the Real Coliseo Carlos III (1)(Carlos III Royal Coliseum), designed and constructed by the architect Jaime Marquet in 1770 for the enjoyment of the Court during its Visits. Its reconstruction was awarded with, among others, the National Restoration Prize 1980 of the General Department of Fine Arts of the Ministry of Culture and was declared Site of Cultural Interest.

Map of the walk
 
MULTIMEDIA
Photographs
Façade of the Carlos III Royal Coliseum
Boarding House of the Milanese, corner of the streets Floridablanca and San Antón
His Majesty's Coach House
House of the Marquis of Campo Villar
House of the Marquis of Campo Villar: close-up of the façade
House of the French Consul: façade facing the street del Rey
Family House of the Princes: close-up
San Carlos Hospital
Video
Carlos III Royal Coliseum
Panoramic view
180º of the House of the Stores or of the Columns


On this street Floridablanca we find other buildings constructed during this century, such as the one called Fonda de los Milaneses (2), (Boarding House of the Milanese), with one of its façades towards the street Floridablanca and the other facing the street San Antón.

Next to the abovementioned Royal Coliseum, one of the most outstanding buildings in this street was the Reales Cuarteles de Infantería de Guardias Españolas y Valonas (3) (Royal Barracks of the Spanish Guard Infantry and Walloons), work of Juan Esteban.

At the end of the street we reach the Plaza de la Virgen de Gracia and justin front of us in what currently are houses, we see the place that was the Real Ballestería (4) (Royal Crossbowmen's Quarters), assigned by Carlos III to Juan Esteban in 1769 to house the workers of the Royal Stables

Somewhat farther down and with one of the main façades bordering the road to the station, we find the Casa De Famillias de los Infantes D. Carlos María Isidro y D. Francisco de Paula (5) (Family House of the Princes Carlos María Isidro and Francisco de Paula), a work attributed to Juan de Villanueva, that dates from the year 1792. Declared Site of Cultural Interest, it currently is the Euroforum Infantes (Princes' Euroforum), headquarters of courses and congresses. On the same road to the station, we locate the New Parador (6), also work of Juan de Villanueva.

From the same architect, now in the street del Rey, we find the Cocheras de Su Majestad (7) (His Majesty's Coach House), a building recently renovated that was created to hold the great number of foremen, footmen, grooms and coach washers that came with the Court, and that required an area dedicated to their tasks.

 

Going up the street Patriarca, we come out in a pedestrian area, which is the street Juan de Leyva, where we can see another of the works of Juan de Villanueva: the Casa para arrendar (rental house) of the Marquis of Campo Villar (8), Under-Stewardof His Majesty. Returning to the street del Rey, one of the buildings with greater importance is the Casa del Cónsul de Francia (9) (French Consul's House), the first work of Villanueva in the town that conserves certain Herrerian aspects.

If we continue going up we will find the Casa de Mozos Aguadores de las Reales Servidumbres y la Cabruna (10) (House of the Water Carriers of the Royal Servitude and the Goatherds) that dates from the year 1775 and is work of Juan Esteban, preserving at present its four floors. The Casa de Familias de la Secretaria (Secretary's Family House), later called the House of the Count of Ricla (11), a noble title since the year 1772, is recognisable by its current rose colour.

Upon reaching the street San Antón, if we turn left we can observe the House of Francisco Martínez de Sobral (12 ) that at present maintains all its original architectonic features. Another private dwelling executed by Juan Esteban in 1771, in the street del Rey, more specifically in the Plaza de San Lorenzo, is the House of Felipe Díaz Bamonte (13). Turning to the right, we take the street Duque de Medinaceli, here is located the House of the Duque de Arcos, later called de Alba (14).

Again on our main road and returning to the Plaza de San Lorenzo, we will take the street Reina Victoria in which we will find the Casa de las Tiendas o las Columnas (15) (House of the Stores or of the Columns), that in its origin provided shelter for the travelling sellers, who in time of the royal visits spent the night outdoors. Farther on we find the Plaza de la Constitution (Constitution Plaza), already located in the centre of the town, and turning towards the street de las Pozas we can admire the Cuartel de Inválidos y Voluntarios a Caballo (16) (Barracks of the Disabled and Volunteers on Horseback), dated in 1774 and attributed to Juan de Villanueva. The creation of the Centre of Herrerian Studies is being considered for this building. Next to it we find the Public Market, in its day a building known as El Repeso (17), former warehouse for wine, fish, etc. Work of Juan de Villanueva, its construction dates from 1797.

Continuing forward, we reach one of the buildings that has conserved its healthcare function to our days: the San Carlos Hospital (18).A construction by Juan Esteban in the year 1771, recently remodelled. Returning over our steps, we go down by the façade of the City Hall until we reach the street Gobernador; we can see the building of the Casa del Alcalde Mayor (19) (Magistrate's House), who was assigned, among other tasks, the resolution of civil and criminal cases and the supplying of products. He also presided over the sessions of the Council and defended the interests of the Crown and of the monastic Community.

Farther on in the street Floridablanca, we see facing us one of the façades of the Tercera Casa de Oficios (20) (Third House of Trades), also called the house of the First Secretary of State and which was declared Site of Cultural Interest. If we continue down the street Floridablanca, we find some steps to our right, which is the street Capilla, which we will go down until we reach the area of the marketplace. Leaving the Monastery to our left, we pass in front of the Family House Princes Gabriel, Antonio Pascual and Francisco Javier (21).

The stroll through the 18th century culminates in the road that takes us to the Casita del Infante (22) (Prince's cottage), which is located about 1000 meters from where we are now down the highway from Avila. This building was declared a Site of Cultural Interest.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE WALK, DOWNLOAD THE FOLLOWING FILE
Word Document with further information on the walk
MAP OF THE WALK IN .PDF FORMAT
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