Colonia de la Prensa
Carabanchel has a surprise in store in the form of an Art Deco neighbourhood, built between 1913 and 1916 to a design by architect Felipe Mario López Blanco. Built for the writers and journalists of the professional group ‘Los Cincuenta’ and to develop the land between Carabanchel Bajo and Carabanchel Alto, this housing estate consists of modernist houses and small homes with gardens.
It is still possible to admire ten of the 65 original chalets and its spectacular entrance at numbers 61 and 63 Calle Eugenia de Montijo (a security hut formed by two modernist towers, which also served as a tram stop and telephone booth).
Many of the buildings were badly damaged or demolished during the Civil War. Later, ugly modern blocks were built with no regard for the original plans.
Updated: 30/10/2025
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.
