Plaza de la Paja, square in La Latina, Madrid, Spain

Plaza de la Paja is a public square in the La Latina neighborhood of Madrid, Spain. It has an irregular shape and a noticeable slope, with San Andrés's embankment crossing it from north to south and several medieval streets converging there.

In the 13th and 14th centuries, the square was a major market in Madrid. It declined in the 15th century when King Juan II of Castile moved commercial activity to the Arrabal Plaza, but it remained a residential area for noble families, and the Vargas Palace still stands.

The name of the square comes from the old obligation of local neighborhoods to deliver straw to the chaplains of the bishop's chapel. Today, the square is a gathering spot where locals sit on benches and children play, and its terraces fill up on weekends.

The square is open at all times and is best explored on foot, as the surrounding streets are narrow and often crowded. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes because the slope and cobblestones can be uneven, and they can combine a visit with a walk through the nearby streets of La Latina.

The square is crossed by an embankment that follows the line of the old city wall, a detail easy to miss. The Vargas Palace, the only surviving noble residence around the square, has a facade that shows layers from different periods.