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Plaza de la Villa was one of the main plazas in medieval Madrid. It was originally known as Plaza de San Salvador and contains three buildings of important historical value.
Casa de la Villa
The first building is the Casa de la Villa, which was built in 1645. From 1692 to 2008, it was the seat of Madrid’s council and city hall.
Casa de Cisneros
Next is Casa de Cisneros, which was built in 1537. It was restored in 1909 when it was integrated into the city hall complex. The main entrance is a block south on Calle del Sacramento and contains the original façade.
Luján House and Tower
The third building is the Luján House and Tower (Casa y Torre de los Lujanes). It’s one of the oldest structures in Madrid, with the tower dating back to at least the beginning of the 15th century. It was purchased by Pedro de Luján, a servant of the king, in 1450. It has been the headquarters of several societies since 1858.
Statue of Don Álvaro de Bazán
Finally, in the center of the plaza is a statue of Don Álvaro de Bazán (1526-1588). He was a legendary admiral who apparently was never defeated. The statue depicts him stepping on an Ottoman flag after the Battle of Lepanto on October 7, 1571. It was dedicated on December 19, 1891, and was sculpted by Mariano Benlliure.
Palace of the Duke of Uceda
A block west of Plaza de la Villa, next to the Church of the Sacrament (Iglesia del Sacramento), is the Palace of the Duke of Uceda (Palacio del Duque de Uceda). It was commissioned by Cristóbal de Sandoval, the Duke of Uceda, an important minister of King Felipe III. The palace was built between 1613 and 1625 by architect Francisco de Mora but was judged too extravagant for a noble.
After the duke fell out of favor with the king, the Spanish crown took it over. It housed Mariana of Austria, the mother of Carlos II, until she died there on May 16, 1696. Felipe V transferred many royal offices to the building in 1701 and renamed it the Palace of the Councils (Palacio de los Concejos). It has been the home of the Council of State (Consejo de Estado) and Captaincy General (Capitanía General) since the 19th century.
