A church first
The church of San Miguel de los Octoes stood here, where the playwright Lope de Vega was baptised. It was demolished in 1809 under Joseph Bonaparte, and the square became an open-air market.
Urban Tales › Madrid › Mercado de San Miguel
Mercado de San Miguel: an iron market reborn
Next to the Plaza Mayor, the Mercado de San Miguel is an iron-and-glass market hall from 1916. It sold fresh food for nearly a century, and in 2009 became Madrid's first gourmet market.
Opened1916
ArchitectAlfonso Dubé y Díez
Gourmet market since2009
Next tothe Plaza Mayor
Hear the Mercado de San Miguel story, in the app's voice
A short preview. The full story plays on its own when you walk up to it with Urban Tales.
Three stories most visitors miss
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Iron and glass
Hygiene rules pushed cities to cover their markets. This iron hall, inspired by Paris's Les Halles, was built between 1913 and 1916.
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From groceries to tapas
For decades locals bought fish and vegetables here. In 2009 it reopened as a market for tapas and food stalls.
TipIt's busiest in the evening; come mid-morning for space, and walk round the outside to see the iron frame. With Urban Tales running, its story plays as you walk over from the Plaza Mayor.
Nearby landmarks
Mercado de San Miguel: common questions
How old is the Mercado de San Miguel?
The iron market hall opened in 1916. The site has been a market since the 19th century.
Is Mercado de San Miguel worth it?
For the building and a quick tasting, yes; it's busy and more expensive than neighbourhood markets.
What was there before the Mercado de San Miguel?
The church of San Miguel de los Octoes, where Lope de Vega was baptised, demolished in 1809.