Love affairs, jealousy and intrigues in the court of the Austrias and the Bourbons (Madrid)

Love has always been one of the main engines of history.

Numerous interpersonal relationships between important figures of the Court or the Government have provoked in the past passions, hatred, rivalries and conspiracies that have affected the course of future events.

The Hispanic dynasty of the Habsburgs is characterized, among other things, because many of its members have experienced well-known matrimonial and extramarital love stories, which have influenced their royal lives and have given rise to many legitimate and bastard children; from the womanizer Felipe el Hermoso , married to poor Juana la Loca; even the insatiable Felipe IV and his well-known relationship with the actress María Calderón; without forgetting the countless lovers that Felipe II hid under his facade of an austere and pious king.

As if it were a true Save Me set from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries, in this guided tour we will learn about the most lustful and stormy relationships of some of our most famous characters.

Walking through the streets and squares of old Madrid , we will relive the stories and legends that bring us closer to the love affairs of Barbara de Blomberg, Bishop Carrillo, the Borgia Pope or the Princess of Éboli , and we will learn about Felipe II's taste for paintings Titian's erotic works, Juana I 's jealous attacks towards her own ladies, the endless parties between women, wine, music and games that made Felipe III almost drown the royal coffers or the supposed beating that Felipe IV received when the Duke of Albuquerque discovered him with his wife.

Finally, we will see in Calle Mayor , the monument that pays tribute to the victims of the attack that took place at the wedding of Alfonso XIII and Victoria Eugenia . Then we will go to the Plaza de la Villa , where we will learn which famous French king was imprisoned in the Lujanes tower .

Thanks to this route we will discover that the things of love have changed very little in the last 500 years.


Only groups of up to 6 people are allowed in this activity. If you are 7 or more people, you will be asked for a payment per person in advance to join the visit.