Plaza Of The Alamillo

By, Alba Morán

Street in which is located.The Plaza of the Alamillo is located in the Spanish city, Madrid, in the streets of the Alamillo, Toro, Alfonso VI and the Moreria. It is near to Paja Street and the square of Segovia. It is located in the known zone Madrid de los Austrias, in the neighbourhood of the Moreria.

Century and Year of construction.Its origin was in the middle ages, when the Muslims were governing the Iberian Peninsula. In this square the arrabal of San Pedro was located, an arrabal is a group of buildings normally related to the lower classes; the Mozarabs lived here. When the Christians conquered this area the Moors started living here so it started to be known as the Neighbourhood of the Moreria.

Original Use.

Was the administrative centre of this area. It had a tribunal in which the Muslims mete out justice and the city hall. The Moreria of Madrid had its own institutional organization and the aljama was its government agency. Here the parties were celebrated too.

Nowadays uses.Nowadays the square of Alamillo has been used for a scene of the film ``Tacones Lejanos´´ by Pedro Almodóvar. People live in the buildings near the plaza.

Why is it important?It is important because the Arab court and the Arab city hall were situated there. This buildings were important because they helped to organize the Arab society. It is also important because it gave a place to live to a lot of people.

Description.It is a little rectangular, medieval-style square. It is formed by buildings from the second part of the XIX century and the beginning of the XX century of three or more floors. It has a slope made of stone with some trees.

Meaning of the name .The name Plaza del Alamillo comes from the Arab word “Alamin” that means poplar in Arab so they believe that the name can came from the poplar placed there.

Who ordered the construction?When the Muslims came into the Iberian Peninsula they constructed the arrabal of San Pedro where the mozarabs lived. They also ordered the construction of the administrative centre with a tribunal and the city hall.

Pages in which I had find the information.

- http://www.minube.com/rincon/plaza-del-alamillo-a31576

- http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaza_del_Alamillo