Hostal Astoria ** - History of Hostel

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Some History on Hostal Astoria

Hostal Astoria is located in the heart of Madrid's old quarter, on the fourth and fifth floors of an old restored building, that dates back to 1890 and which has operated as tourist accommodation since 1993.

This building was home to one of the first hotels in Madrid (Hotel de La Russie)

On the ground floor, Madrid’s first cinematographic exhibition took place on 15 May 1896 run by Mr. Promio, representative of the Casa Lumiére. The programme included various short tapes that were real-life reports: Un paseo por el mar (A seaside walk), La avenida de los Campos Elíseos (The Champs Élysées), El concurso hípico de Lyon (Lyon horse-riding competition), etc.

Nowadays it is a medical centre, but the original columns have been preserved and are visible, as well as a mural that makes reference to the exhibition

On the current facade, a commemorative plaque for the centenary of this exhibition can be seen.

For sweet lovers, Hostal Astoria is located above the famous Casa Mira that is perhaps the most traditional shop for buying turrons and Christmas sweets all year round.

Interestingly, in the shop they display a small old-looking sign with proveedor real casa (royal house supplier), because Luis Mira was the main supplier of turrons to the Royal House during the reigns of Isabel II, Amadeo I of Saboya, Alfonso XII and Alfonso XIII.

In addition, Luis Mira obtained a Grand Prix in the Paris Universal Exposition in 1899, which clearly illustrates the importance of this establishment also close to the Congreso de los Diputados parliament building.

Hostal Astoria is located in the heart of Madrid, surrounded by all kinds of historical buildings, businesses and restaurants.

From here, you can visit the entire tourist area on foot.

The closest attraction to the hostel is Puerta del Sol, which acts as kilometre zero for the Spanish national roads.

At this location, a meeting point for the people of Madrid, we will discover a statue that is the symbol of the city: the escultura del Oso y el Madroño (sculpture of the Bear and the Strawberry tree). We will also see the Casa de Correos building, the clock of which is the parameter for the traditional eating of 12 grapes at midnight on 31 December.

In the close vicinity of the hostel we can visit the Triángulo del Arte (Triangle of Art) on foot, made up of the Prado Museum, Reina Sofía Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza collection, key galleries where we can discover extremely significant works in the history of Spanish and European art.

The Paseo del Arte (Art Route) is a unique itinerary in the world, which covers painting, sculpture, architecture and nature in one of the most iconic areas of Madrid: the Paseo del Prado (Prado Route), that can be pleasantly seen on foot and on which you will encounter three of the main museums: Prado Museum, Thyssen Bornemisza Museum and the National Centre of Art Reina Sofía Museum.

This excellent location allows us to admire, within just a few metres, Las Meninas by Velázquez, the Majas by Goya, Giovanna Tornabuoni by Ghirlandaio, Les Vessenots en auvers by Van Gogh and Guernica by Picasso, along with other universal masterpieces in art. One of the most traditional itineraries in Madrid is currently an artistic triangle, which allows you to enjoy both the history of art and the best Madrid has to offer.

One of the most traditional itineraries in Madrid is currently an artistic triangle, which allows you to enjoy both the history of art and the best Madrid has to offer.

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