Casa de la Carnicería, Historical building in Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain
The Casa de la Carnicería stands on the southern side of Plaza Mayor as a four-story structure featuring a columned ground floor and angular corner towers. The building forms part of the unified architectural ensemble that defines the plaza's classical appearance.
The building was constructed in the late 1600s to serve as Madrid's central meat storage facility for the city markets. Following a significant fire, it was reconstructed and took on the form that visitors see today.
The building reflects Madrid's architectural evolution with its red facade that blends into the other structures surrounding Plaza Mayor. This design mirrors the urban building traditions that continue to shape the square today.
The building sits in the heart of Madrid on Plaza Mayor and is easy to reach on foot from the city center. Its distinctive red facade and corner towers make it simple to locate, even for first-time visitors.
Over the centuries the building shifted between serving as a fire station, newspaper library, and municipal offices, showing how important it remained to the city. This changing role reveals how the space adapted to serve different civic needs throughout Madrid's growth.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
