Casa y Torre de los Lujanes
Casa y Torre de los Lujanes
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Centro
Expansive plazas, local and foreign crowds, street performers, colorful lights, window shopping, restaurant signs promising the best paella, ham, and churros con chocolate- this is downtown Madrid, a collection of plazas interconnected by a network of side streets. Some of these side streets are wide pedestrian shopping routes, and some are hidden, so it's possible to duck in and out of the bustle as desired. The iconic Puerta del Sol is the giant crossroads of the city and a must-see attraction at any time of the day. The nearby Plaza Mayor, completely enclosed by historic red buildings, is an ideal place to grab a bite to eat outside, amidst scores of tables and people out for a stroll. Plaza Isabel II (also known as “Opera”) is smaller and a good meeting spot, and the stately Plaza del Oriente is the front yard of the Royal Palace. Centro can be touristy (pickpockets are unfortuately not unheard-of here), crowded, and sometimes gimmicky, but it is also the place to experience classic Madrid.
How to get there
- Ópera • 5 min walk
- La Latina • 6 min walk
Best nearby
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Restaurants
8,957 within 3 miles
Attractions
1,355 within 6 miles
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4.0
48 reviews
Excellent
18
Very good
22
Average
8
Poor
0
Terrible
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Malgorzata
12,085 contributions
Aug 2020
In the Plaza de la Villa rises the house and tower of Lujanes, a 15th-century palace. It is the oldest surviving house in Madrid.
There are actually several houses. After passing Cisneros Street, we find the first of the Houses, which many years ago housed the Municipal Newspaper Archive. It is a 16th century building with a beautiful pointed Mudejar horseshoe arch with wooden doors. Attached to this is the house where the Lujanes lived and which includes an attached Tower. Really great building.
There are actually several houses. After passing Cisneros Street, we find the first of the Houses, which many years ago housed the Municipal Newspaper Archive. It is a 16th century building with a beautiful pointed Mudejar horseshoe arch with wooden doors. Attached to this is the house where the Lujanes lived and which includes an attached Tower. Really great building.
Written 12 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tommo
Melbourne, Australia55,936 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Casa and Torre de los Lujanes in located in the Plaza de la Villa.
The house dates from late 15th century and tower dates back to early 15th century. (Casa and Torre)
The Alvaro de Lujan family commissioned the complex in 1494. The present day name fo
The buildings were constructed of Mudéjar style, which is a Muslim-influenced style of architecture.
The house dates from late 15th century and tower dates back to early 15th century. (Casa and Torre)
The Alvaro de Lujan family commissioned the complex in 1494. The present day name fo
The buildings were constructed of Mudéjar style, which is a Muslim-influenced style of architecture.
Written 16 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,166 contributions
Feb 2020
If you have several days in Madrid and have time to explore beyond the main tourist sights, then the Tower of the Lujanes (1400s) in the Plaza de la Villa is an interesting diversion.
It is the oldest civil building in Madrid and is a rare surviving example of a medieval palace-house. This was originally the home of the king’s senior accountant, a man called Gonzalo García de Ocaña. In 1450 it was bought by Pedro de Lujáne, the king's waiter, who was clearly coming up in the world. Above the old fortified doors, you see the Lujane family’s coats of arms. Not sure why they needed 3 copies of it above the door – maybe they really wanted to make their mark?
There is a story that the French king was imprisoned in this tower in 1525. When he was paraded down the street as a prisoner of war, the local people (much to the annoyance of authorities) were more impressed by the finery of his fashionable clothing than they were by his capture.
Although you wouldn't go out of your way to see this building on its own, it is surrounded by a couple of other historic 16th century buildings (Casa de Cisneros and Casa de la Villa) and the Convent of Carboneras Corpus Christi (where the nuns still make and sell traditional biscuits) is just around the corner. Altogether, there is enough to make it a worthwhile stop if you are in the area and it is only 5 minutes walk from Plaza Mayor.
It is the oldest civil building in Madrid and is a rare surviving example of a medieval palace-house. This was originally the home of the king’s senior accountant, a man called Gonzalo García de Ocaña. In 1450 it was bought by Pedro de Lujáne, the king's waiter, who was clearly coming up in the world. Above the old fortified doors, you see the Lujane family’s coats of arms. Not sure why they needed 3 copies of it above the door – maybe they really wanted to make their mark?
There is a story that the French king was imprisoned in this tower in 1525. When he was paraded down the street as a prisoner of war, the local people (much to the annoyance of authorities) were more impressed by the finery of his fashionable clothing than they were by his capture.
Although you wouldn't go out of your way to see this building on its own, it is surrounded by a couple of other historic 16th century buildings (Casa de Cisneros and Casa de la Villa) and the Convent of Carboneras Corpus Christi (where the nuns still make and sell traditional biscuits) is just around the corner. Altogether, there is enough to make it a worthwhile stop if you are in the area and it is only 5 minutes walk from Plaza Mayor.
Written 26 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheShis
Tel Aviv, Israel42,752 contributions
Jan 2023
This is one of the oldest buildings in the city and while it's not too impressive, it's worth a short look.
Written 13 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tRAVellerOfTheW0rld
Almere, The Netherlands1,723 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
When you walk up Plaza de la Villa from Calle Mayor, you go back centuries in time. The atmosphere at the square is wonderfully preserved. Take al look at all the buildings in different styles and the Casa de los Lujanos is on the left side of the square.
Casa y Torre de los Lujanes, or Lujanes House and Tower, is the oldest building in Madrid. The tower is the oldest part of the structure and was built in the beginning of the 15th century. The house was built in 1494 by Alvaro de Lujan and named after the family. The buildings were constructed in Mudéjar style, which is a Muslim-influenced style that was often used in Spain in the 12th century. There are three shields of the Lujanes family above the main entrance of the house. It is said that King Francis I of France was prisoned in the tower for a short while after his capture in 1525 by King Carlos I. The French king refused to kneel in front of Carlos I and therefore he had the front door of the tower lowered so that Francis I was forced to bend.
The building is currently occupied by the Royal Academy of Moral and Political Science and of the Royal Economic Society for Friends of Madrid. The building is not open to the public.
Casa y Torre de los Lujanes, or Lujanes House and Tower, is the oldest building in Madrid. The tower is the oldest part of the structure and was built in the beginning of the 15th century. The house was built in 1494 by Alvaro de Lujan and named after the family. The buildings were constructed in Mudéjar style, which is a Muslim-influenced style that was often used in Spain in the 12th century. There are three shields of the Lujanes family above the main entrance of the house. It is said that King Francis I of France was prisoned in the tower for a short while after his capture in 1525 by King Carlos I. The French king refused to kneel in front of Carlos I and therefore he had the front door of the tower lowered so that Francis I was forced to bend.
The building is currently occupied by the Royal Academy of Moral and Political Science and of the Royal Economic Society for Friends of Madrid. The building is not open to the public.
Written 13 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil K
Liverpool, UK829,620 contributions
Sept 2019 • Friends
Casa Y Torre De Los Lujanes is one of the most beautiful structures in Plaza De La Villa and one of Madrids oldest ,a stunning looking building with a very distinctive and evocative looking tower ,the architectural style is superb ,built by Alvaro Lujan in 1496 ,its surrounds a courtyard, the Gothic features of the building are amazing, so many features to pick out ,the Casa Y Torre De Los Lujanes now houses the Real Academia De Ciencias Y Politicas.
My twin brother Stephen and I were wandering along Calle Mayor, we were taking in the great architecture along this famous street and a visit to Plaza De La Villa was always on the cards ,a treat for the eyes,old Madrid at its finest.
Well worth checking out, you will find Casa Y Torre De Los Lujanes along Calle Mayor in Plaza De La Villa .
Most definitely well worth checking out if your in the area or planning a holiday to Madrid.
My twin brother Stephen and I were wandering along Calle Mayor, we were taking in the great architecture along this famous street and a visit to Plaza De La Villa was always on the cards ,a treat for the eyes,old Madrid at its finest.
Well worth checking out, you will find Casa Y Torre De Los Lujanes along Calle Mayor in Plaza De La Villa .
Most definitely well worth checking out if your in the area or planning a holiday to Madrid.
Written 4 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nomadman411978
London, UK3,144 contributions
Nov 2017 • Solo
Casa y Torre de los Lujanes is a very fine medieval building situated in the Plaza Villa; onee of Madrid's best squares off the Calle Mayor. Now occupied by government departments.
Written 26 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
COLCHONEROMadrid
Madrid, Spain4,906 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Together with the rest of the buildings, they form the Plaza de la Villa, the nerve center of Madrid de los Austrias and a must-visit area. Built in the 15th century, they are perfectly rehabilitated
Written 16 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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