El Rastro. The typical flea market of Madrid

J. L. Gamallo. The possibilities offered by Madrid on a Sunday morning are very numerous, are for everyone. From visiting its exceptional museums, stroll through the parks and gardens, admire some of its monuments, walk the streets and avenues, tapas and reeds, etc.. But being in Madrid on a Sunday is almost inevitable to propose a visit to the Rastro, a kind of university in the street that is mounted on Sundays and holidays in the morning in the Ribera de Curtidores and nearby streets. Visitors staying in our hostel in less than 10 minutes walk will be at the start of the trail, and you will realize how it starts to increase the volume of people, according to approximate the best place to access the market, by the Cascorro square where the statue stands proud of Eloy Gonzalo, Madrid hero's of the war of Cuba (1898).

For those who do not know, maybe it's worth explaining El Rastro, as the name itself does not have much to do, is what is known as flea market (marché aux puces in french) . Originally the Rastro was a used items market where anyone could put down objects which would release in a unique and colorful world, along with shops that sold authentic antiques. It was a market without regulations and ordinances. But over time, particularly in the late twentieth century, things began to change in the Rastro, and City Hall began to introduce certain measures that prevent whoever put to sell. All have their place assigned positions and must include the name and photo of the head of office, and the space is occupied to pay a municipal tax. The air of improvisation that had El Rastro is gone, and except for sites that sell antiques, in positions offers a wide variety of objects, from industrial manufacturing to other craft. This is possible provided of many things, underwear, fans, handbags, luggage, pens, glasses, cutlery, pants, batteries, cell phones, mobile covers, toys, dishes, paella, Spanish traditional pottery, books, dvds, cds, Madrid souvenirs, etc.., etc.., etc..Nor is it necessary to buy anything, just go looking curiously unhurried and the small universe of this area of ​​Madrid. As certainly go all the Rastro on a Sunday is not possible. It's best to go down the Ribera de Curtidores from Cascorro; make a stop in the stands next to the building of the Municipal Board, where there is a good prospect of Ribera de Curtidores. Following the flow of the public, near the end of the street, on the left are the galleries Piquer, a beautiful courtyard full of antique shops. The entrance is easily recognized by the high tower which is accessed. After seeing all kinds of beautiful objects of other centuries, we return to the Ribera, and take the first street on the right, Mira el Sol , to end at the Plaza del Campillo de un Mundo Nuevo , where there are many book stalls, vintage posters, dvds, cromos. From here the best is to take the road towards Carlos Arniches and the Vara de Rey square; the Extemeños bar is a good place to have a octopus toast, ham, eel, etc.. On this street there are also stalls of antiques and furniture as well as disparate objects. In the Plaza de Vara de Rey the Gypsies are the "masters", most of the posts are yours, selling clothing "brand" and no brand, shoes, lingerie, perfume, cases, etc.. From here you can already go outside Toledo and retake La Latina and some cane with refreshments at one of the many bars and pubs that we find in our walk through the area.