House of Calderón de la Barca, Literary residence in Calle Mayor, Madrid, Spain
The House of Calderon de la Barca is a narrow residential building on Calle Mayor in Madrid's historic center. The two-story original structure features a single balcony facing the main street, though additional floors were added later to the composition.
This was the home of Pedro Calderon de la Barca, the major playwright and poet of Spain's Golden Age, who died there in 1681. The building nearly faced demolition in 1859 but was saved through public action, leading to its structural modifications.
The facade displays a marble plaque and relief bust honoring Calderon as a poet, priest, and Knight of the Order of Santiago. This tribute reflects his importance in Spanish cultural history and the respect he commanded during his lifetime.
The building stands at number 61 Calle Mayor, very close to Puerta del Sol in the center. Today it houses private apartments, and you can identify it easily from the outside even though interior access is not available.
The building faced certain demolition in 1859, but public outcry saved it in a turning point for heritage protection in the city. This unexpected reprieve led to the additions of extra floors that visitors see today.
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