Calle del Arco de Triunfo

Calle del Arco de Triunfo is a small street in Sol (Madrid), but the arch access (whence the name arco) from the Calle Mayor to the Plaza Mayor. It is, for this reason, one of the most beautiful streets of Madrid, that is fully covered (also the reason why homeless people find refuge there). It is also the street with an entrance to the underground parking and thus the first place many of our first-time visitors of Madrid find themselves brought into when we drive them here.

It is not indicated in most maps of the city, although it is in el Plano de Espinosa where it has the remarkable name of callejón del Infierno.

Screenshot 20250228 183946.png

Predestinedly, it is a place that housed several criminals targeting notables, including the queen Isabel II on February 2 (1852) who was stabbed in the Real Palace with her first born daughter—Infanta Isabel Francisca—in hands, by a priest (Martín Merino) living in, and coming from, this street. Years later, another priest (Cayetano de Galeote) from this previously C. del Infierno, killed the first bishop of Madrid (Narciso Martínez Izquierdo) on 18 April (1886) at the entrance to the old San Isidro Cathedral.

Its current name is another tribute to the events (triumph) of 7 July (1822), along with the neighbour C. del 7 de Julio.

Links