RoamRide
HikingCity toursHistorical

Black History Tour of Madrid

4.9(29 reviews)Madrid, Spain
2hDurationEnglishOffered inMobile ticketTicketNot includedPickupWheelchair accessibleAccessibilityEasyLevel

About this experience

This tour takes you through the significant yet often overlooked history of Black communities in Madrid. Participants will engage with narratives surrounding African heritage and its impact on the city. The experience includes exploration of the influence of the Moors, who ruled for over 700 years, and the stories of enslaved Africans who contributed to Madrid's development. Expect to learn about Spain's colonial connections and the role of African labor in shaping the empire and the city’s growth. The tour is suitable for those interested in cultural history and social justice. It may not suit those seeking a traditional sightseeing experience. Note that the tour may involve walking and visiting various historical sites.

Itinerary

1

Teatro Real

This journey through the slave history of Madrid begins in Plaza de Isabel II. The trace of this "business" can still be seen in numerous places in the Spanish capital, especially around Puerta del Sol area where enslaved people influenced the configuration of the city as we know it. The famous Calle Alcalá that played a major role on the transatlantic slave trade, the equestrian statue of Carlos III, a king that is credited with owning more than 20,000S slaves and the surroundings of the iconic Plaza Mayor where the slave market used to be. Hidden history in plain sight. This tour is the reaffirmation of the black presence in the Iberian Peninsula centuries before Christopher Columbus.

2

Royal Palace of Madrid

The Royal Palace of Madrid is one of the most beautiful and best preserved in Europe. Its more than 135,000 square metres have witnessed centuries of Spanish history. It is the largest royal palace in Western Europe3​ and one of the largest in the world. It houses a valuable historical and artistic heritage, including the House of the Blacks.

3

Catedral de Sta Maria la Real de la Almudena

333 / 5.000 The construction of the Cathedral of Santa María la Real de la Almudena began on 22 December 1868 when the Congregation of Slaves of the Virgin of Almudena asked the Archbishop of Toledo for permission to build another church dedicated to the Virgin of Almudena, as the first one had been demolished in the revolution of 1868.

4

Iglesia de San Gines

On Arenal Street is the church of San Ginés, dedicated to the French saint San Ginés de Arles. It is one of the oldest churches in Madrid, built in 1645 on the remains of what is believed to have been a Mozarabic hermitage.

5

Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor PlazaMayoBarea_1404213325.208.jpg PlazaMayorTerraz_1421930108.135.jpg PlazaMayorLucas_1421930618.48.jpg Anterior Siguiente Description Information (active tab) Services Map Madrid’s grand central square is found in the heart of Hapsburg Madrid, the oldest part of the city. Steeped in history, the bustling plaza is the perfect place to begin your stroll through one of Madrid’s most charming districts but also with a very history.

6

Puerta del Sol

This bustling square located bang in the centre of Madrid is one of the city’s most famous sites. With its semi-circular shape, it's a junction for many of the city’s historical and busiest streets such as Calle Mayor, Calle del Arenal, as well as the starting point for all major radial roads in Spain. The conception of Puerta del Sol is due to Spanish families who were strongly linked to the slave trade.

What's included / not included

Guide services
Soda pop

Additional information

Accessibility and comfort

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Good to know

  • A minimum of 3 pax for the tour to go ahead

Traveller reviews

4.929 reviews

Reviews are hosted by Viator

This rating summarises the reviews collected by Viator, which keeps them on its own listing. We show the average exactly as it reaches us, without the individual comments.

Read the reviews on Viator

More to do in Madrid

Everything in Madrid