The Cuesta de los Ciegos of Madrid !!!

Posted in Madrid, Spain

This one ranks up there as memories flash back as I write. It was a very moving moment in my life and plenty of anecdotes in my blog on it. Walking in my Madrid is been in heavens , lots of beautiful historical architecturally stunning architecture all over, and by this very popular area lies an off the beaten path trail that is worth the detour, me think. Therefore, let me tell you about the cuesta de los ciegos of Madrid !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The Cuesta de los Ciegos is a granite staircase that leads up from Calle de Segovia. It is a small slope with steps that saves the difference in level between Calle de Segovia and Calle Beatriz Galindo towards the Jardines de Las Vistillas gardens. A zigzag staircase at the foot of the Segovia Viaducto (see post) ascends one of the steepest slopes in the city thanks to 254 steps. Its history takes us from the medieval subsoil, which still preserves a network of galleries and passageways shown since the city maps of 1656, to the fountain at its feet, called Caño de La Vecindad, which preserves the coat of arms of the Villa de Madrid during the period of the Spanish Republic.

Currently, this staircase that connects Calle de Segovia with Calle de La Morería, the point where the Las Vistillas gardens begin, but until it was built in the 19C as part of the renovation works on the area there was only a steep ravine popularly known as arrastraculos ( ass-crawlers). This nickname was given to it because the locals would descend the slope crouching down to avoid falling, while the children would fall on their bottoms as if it were a slide. Beneath the stairs runs an intricate system of plastered brick passageways, two meters high and one meter wide, leading to the Palacio Real or Royal Palace and connecting it to other important buildings in the city. It may also be part of a secret route, said to have been used by those wishing to leave the city unseen. Today, only clean water runs through the passageway. According to legend, the place is name because during his visit to Spain to complete the Camino de Santiago in 1214, the Saint Francis of Assisi passed through Madrid to found the monastery that, centuries later, would become the Royal Basilica of Saint Francisco El Grande (see posts). One day, as he passed through this hill, he met several blind men begging for alms. Saint Francis of Assisi anointed their eyes with oil, and miraculously, the blind men regained their sight.

From the staircase of Cuesta de los Ciegos, with its characteristic stone construction with steps on both sides and its recurring landings, you can discover an interesting view of both the Viaduct and Calle de Segovia, the green areas of the Jardin de Las Vistillas garden and the back of the Almudena Cathedral. From the Plaza Mayor where we started our walk it is only less than 15 minutes taking Calle Mayor towards the Almudena Cathedral, turn right on Calle de Bailén until Calle de Segovia and on your left is the Cuesta de los Ciegos.

There is nothing in tourist webs of Madrid but the closest to it is found in the Madrid tourist office on the nearby Viaducto : https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-information/viaducto

There you go folks, there is a lot more on my coming and going there in my blog. Madrid is more than just a tourist city for me, it is like home! Capital of the kingdom of Spain and everything in Spain can be found there. This is a wonderful walk even if needs a bit of conditioning and good health to climb up and down the steps, Again, hope you enjoy this post on the cuesta de los ciegos of Madrid !!! as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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Published by pedmar10

I am a lover of travels to Europe , Americas , Africa and Asia as well ,who like to share my experiences of the last 53 years with the world, visiting so far 81 countries; living in 6, working in 5, and Citizen of 4, speaking fluently 4 languages. I can deal with sports especially football/soccer and love music, arts, wine collector/drinker, and go out to restaurants, and just visit the world. My background comes all the way from Candelaria and Pajara in Tenerife, Spain where my grandparents came from ;not knowing each other then, to Punta Brava, west of Havana, Cuba. There , my parents born in Cuba met and later on I was born there too. 100% guanche (annexed Tenerife to Spain on April 10 ,1496). I left Cuba as many have to Madrid, Spain where I lived for 4 years. Then, move to Perth Amboy ,New Jersey USA (living there 13 yrs) ; where I completed high school, became a US Citizen, learned to drive a car, and learned English. Afterward, went to the university in Florida, ERAU, and upon graduation decided to moved there to Ormond by the Sea, near Daytona Beach, finally moving North Miami, then Hialeah, then another moved to Silver Lakes division in Miramar, Broward county, Florida; in Florida I lived a total of 18 years. Finally , moved to France in 2003 ,Versailles call me for its royalty, and working in Paris was great. It was time to seek frontiers again and moved to Brech near Auray, Morbihan in Brittany , and later move to not too far Pluvigner. Total so far in France has been 20 years, and counting. Moving average a home every 5.5 years hopefully this will be my last. Cheers All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the written permission of the copyright holder, me. No part of this work may be modified, without the written permission of the holder, me.No part of this work may be exposed to public view in any form or by any means, without identifying the holder as the author, and with the before mentioned permission.

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