Plaza de la Paja
Plaza de la Paja is crossed from north to south by a street called Costanilla de San Andres and a number of medieval routes converge here.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, this semi-paved and slightly sloping square, with its trees and its considerable dimensions, was once the site of Madrid’s most important market. Framed within the so-called «Madrid de los Austrias” (Hapsburg Madrid), it was a favourite residential area for the nobility.
One noteworthy vestige remains to the east of the square, the Palacio de los Vargas, of Renaissance origin. To the south we find the Príncipe de Anglona Garden, one of the few examples of an 18th century garden of the nobility that remains in the capital, and also the 16th century Chapel of the Bishop, built in the Gothic style with a Renaissance façade.
Today the square has lots of terraces and catering establishments, and is very popular with tourists.
Updated: 12/04/2019
Useful information
Permit procedure
The filming permits to shoot on the streets of the city of Madrid are managed by the Filming Authorization Bureau. For more information on these permits and how to process them, read the How to film in Madrid page.
