Madrid is the only Western capital founded by Muslims. Emir Mohamed I built the first structure—a fortress designed to defend Toledo—that eventually evolved into an 'alcázar' (al-qasr). Today, the Royal Palace stands on this historic site, marking the origin of Mayrit, the Arabic name from which the current name of Madrid is derived. The remnants of the original wall, the layout of the old medina, surviving minarets, and ancient water pipes all reveal a remarkable heritage—a surprising discovery for any visitor, but especially significant for Muslims.
Info & Location
City/Province: Madrid
Type of Experience:
Islamic heritage
Address: Parque Emir Mohamed I, 28005 Madrid, Spain
Points of interest: The Arab Wall: The most significant remnants—a section over 120 meters long—of the city's original Islamic wall are located in Emir Mohamed I Park, near Cuesta de la Vega Street, adjacent to the Cathedral's Crypt. Metro: Ópera (Lines 2, 5, R). / Bus: 3, 31, 41, 50, 62, 65, 148, C1, C2.
Mudejar Towers: Or perhaps, originally, old mosque minarets? We are referring to the towers of the San Nicolás and San Pedro Viejo churches. The tower of San Nicolás is the oldest in Madrid following the demolition of the medieval church of Santa María la Real de la Almudena, which was built on the site of the former Aljama mosque of Mayrit (Plaza de San Nicolás, 6). Meanwhile, the tower of San Pedro El Viejo is the oldest part of its church and may date back to the mid-14th century (Calle del Nuncio, 14).
The 'Morería': This popular name refers to the area that once housed the first Muslim settlement which gave birth to Madrid, and later its Mudejar and Morisco communities. The original nucleus, known as Old Morería, is located at the foot of Campillo de las Vistillas, near the Almudena Cathedral and Calle Bailén. From the 15th century, the settlement expanded into New Morería, stretching between Cuchilleros, Calle de Toledo, and Cava de San Miguel. Today, this historic area forms part of the vibrant La Latina quarter—one of Madrid's liveliest neighborhoods. Key highlights include Plaza de la Morería, Plaza del Alamillo, and the surrounding streets.
Museo de San Isidro: Dedicated to the origins of Madrid, this museum displays artifacts recovered from three Islamic archaeological sites within the city. Address: Plaza de San Andrés, 2. Free admission.
Torre y Casa de los Lujanes: This tower is the oldest civil building in Madrid. Over 500 years old, it features the city's only Morisco limestone arch. The tower, along with the later-constructed house, once belonged to the aristocratic Lujanes family. It is located in Plaza de la Villa.
