El Campo de Cebada

Taken by Giselle Helene Elizabeth Boxer and Mia Georgevic 

A MUST SEE IN THE LA LATINA DISTRICT!

In 1861, this area used to home one of Madrid's largest outdoor and indoor markets. In the 20th century, the government had plans to rebuild this area, but plans fell through due to the Spanish economic crisis and lack of investment. However, in 2011, the residents of La Latina grouped together to create plans for the unused space. It is now a public area for social gatherings and outdoor activities. If you go on the website, http://elcampodecebada.org, you can see the listings of debates, theatre performances and musical gatherings which are held here.

The space was quickly cleaned up and equipped with basic equipment, and basketball and football pitches were installed. The grey of the cement was soon replaced by colours and graffiti produced by volunteer painters and local artists. The concrete ground provides children with a safe area for skating and riding their bicycles. Street furniture was created out of recycled materials and this activity then gave rise to “handmade temporary urban design” workshops. In the summer there is even a huge inflatable pool for public use! 

Instead of being left as an indefinitely abandoned, inaccessible empty space, it is now a modern, urban area which promotes freedom of expression. For the local residents, “El Campo de Cebada” is a way of speaking out against indifference, proving that it is possible to shape a city together, and that there is life beyond urban planning. 

The area is just outside La Latina station, but is rather hidden. If you look through the peep holes in the wall, you won't believe what is in front of your eyes!

Mercado De San Anton

Located in the heart of Chueca, this modern, urban market is one of my favourite places in Madrid. I’m a bit of a foodie, love cooking new recipes and trying different cuisines, so no wonder I instantly fell in love. 

The market is brimming with light, sound, colour and energy and is the go to place for cool, middle class Madrileños to hang out. 

Mercado San Anton is made up of three floors. The first floor is a traditional food market which offers quality seasonal produce including meats, cheeses, breads and fish. Think Harvey Nichols food court. 

On the second floor, you’ll find prepared dishes that you can grab and eat at one of their high top tables. My personal favourites are the Greek and Italian counter. There are also a few other stalls which have caught my eye, but they are not for the faint hearted. One stall offers Duck prepared in a million different ways, with a particular focus on Foie Gras. The food is excellent, however, pretty pricey for the amount you get. 

On the third level, you will find the rooftop terrace, which provides a great place to have a drink and watch the sunset on a hot summer evening in Madrid. The view is breathtaking and as the night gets cooler fireplaces are lit to make you more comfortable as you lounge on the couches. It also homes a restaurant, La Cocina de San Antón, which allows you to choose fresh produce from the market to be cooked to your taste. 

The vibe on each level is different, but it all harmonizes to create a unique experience that will leave you looking for an excuse to come back! I would suggest that you go fairly early in the evening, in order to secure a spot for the entire night, as it is an incredibly popular hangout. It is, without a doubt, the type of market that’s worth a visit, and even if you aren’t looking to buy anything, I´m sure you won’t leave empty handed.