Calle de la Cruz is a street in Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain, the El Madrid de los Austrias, within the Barrio de las Letras, located between the squares of Benavente and Canalejas (where they meet with the Plaza del Ángel). It had a corral de comedias and the romantic poet Espronceda died in one of its houses.
History
Before the street existed, the place was known as “cerrillo” de la Cruz, for which its upper part was crowned. Later, the Brotherhood of Cristo de la Piedad, also called ‘de la Cruz’ and ‘de la Pasión’ (dependent on the neighbouring parish of San Sebastián) was there.
At the entrance, by the Cuatro Calles, was the tavern of the “Soldiers of Pavia”, a name that was given, indistinctly, to some pieces of fried cod, some glasses of white wine accompanied by a cake and some chocolates.
Teatro de la Cruz
The Teatro de la Cruz was, during its nearly 200-year existence, the principal theater for comedy in Madrid. Founded by the Hermandad de la Soledad in 1584, it soon became the premier venue of its time for Spanish comedy. In 1743, it was extensively renovated under the direction of the architect Pedro de Ribera, who transformed it into a modern theater seating 1500 spectators.
Finally demolished in 1859, its existence is commemorated by a small plaque located at its former location, the intersection of Calle de Espoz y Mina and Calle de la Cruz in central Madrid.
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