Chueca in Madrid, by Hostel Horizonte.

J. L. Gamallo. For those who know now one of the most famous neighborhoods of Madrid for its lively nightlife and shopping, bars, Lazare, bars, the Chueca, you can imagine that in the 80s was an area considered as dangerous, for it was a hub of drug dealing and varied delinquency. By Augusto Figueroa, Barbieri, Gravina, etc., Moving groups of camels, besieged by consumers and other unsavory fauna. For the nights were already famous in the neighborhood and the Gran Vía racing camels pursued by the local police in front of the center councilor, Manzano made famous by those charges until he got the Chueca eradicate the scourge of trafficking drug. Logically, there was a radical change in the life of the neighborhood, situated between the Gran Vía and boulevards. Besides the emerging gay community noticed him as a zone of "coexistence" and began to open gay bars, trendy restaurants, shops of young designers, etc. Then reformed and Fuencarralque Hortaleza streets are peatonalizó, in which there numerososos flights, and where many clothing stores opened youth. The name comes from the Plaza de Chueca, located between the streets of Gravina and Augusto Figueroa, named in honor of the musician who also reflected castiza life of Madrid in the late nineteenth century operettas such as La Gran Vía and Water, sugar and brandy. There are several terraces and various restaurants and ice cream parlors. During Pride Week proclamation is done here and one of the main tourist attractions musical. In Augusto Figueroa, shoe lovers can find the greatest diversity of models at a good price, it has specialized in Sampler stores where branded footwear is almost half price. On the streets of San Marcos, Barbieri Barquillo there are small bars, restaurants, places of environment, etc. One of the latest attractions of the neighborhood that concentrates a large number of people is the Mercado de San Anton, recently renovated and where you can buy or take any kind of site delicatessen, fruits, meats, burgers, seafood, breads, pastries, tapas , etc. On the third floor there is a magnificent terrace bar where you can enjoy a drink or snack, enjoy great views. Another place you must visit is to Mella, with terraces and various restaurants. Also history and art has its presence in the neighborhood. In the Plaza del Rey is the home of Seven Chimneys, its origins date from the time of Philip II. In the eighteenth century she lived the Marquis of Squillace, minister of Charles III, whose efforts to "modernize" the locals led the famous mutiny that forced the king to his dismissal. In the street of San Mateo is one of the most beautiful museums and lesser-known Madrid, Romanticism, and San Mateo Fuencarral corner, the Municipal Museum, located in the former Hospice of San Fernando, Pedro masterpiece Ribera, one of the most baroque and lush covers of Spanish art. From the hostel you can reach Horizonte Chueca very easily because they are a ten minute walk. If you choose the metro Anton Martin is taken to Tribunal station, which is opposite the Municipal Museum, and from there in a couple of minutes to reach the Plaza de Chueca, and everything around the neighborhood with its many attractions .