As far as as Plaza Mayors go, I’ve always had a clear favorite: Salamanca. Now, not to hate on Madrid (though I don’t have a problem doing that at times), but for me, nothing rivals Salamanca’s gorgeous Plaza Mayor. It’s where I met up with Mario on our first dates (we met, as do most couples and friends, debajo del reloj), it’s where I picnicked on sunny days with my guiri friends, it’s the square I crossed daily on the way to my internship.
Last autumn, though, some friends of ours invited us to visit Chinchón, a small village about 50 km southwest of Madrid, with a population of roughly 5,000 people. They too are a couple like us: one Spaniard, one guiri from the Midwest. They got married in this town, and I immediately saw why they were drawn to it.
Its Plaza Mayor, Main Square in English (though I never translate this phrase), is a classic medieval construction. All around the outside are houses and buildings with balconies. Many of these have been converted into restaurants, so you can sit outside on the rickety (or so it seems) wooden scaffolding and enjoy your menu del día.
Since its construction, the square has been home to various events: royal fiestas, comedy shows, jousting, bullfights, religious sacraments, executions, and even home to a movie set or two (Around the World In 80 Days, for example).
Chinchón is also known for its eponymous beverage, a form of anisette, made from aniseed macerated for half a day in a hydroalcoholic solution (usually wine). Later it’s distilled in copper stills for different amounts of time, leading to distinct varieties, including:
The liqueur is also used to make many sweets (Source)
- Sweet, useful for cooking at 35% alcohol
- Dry, no sugar and 43% alcohol
- Special Dry, a stronger variety at 74% alcohol
I actually hate aniseed, so we passed on trying this libation.
Kaley...& Más 
I’ve never been to Chinchón, and I really want to check it out. I have, however, tried the alcohol and thought I was going to die.
Mmmmm that picture of the sugary rosquillas is making me hungry! I’m not a huge fan of anise-flavored things but it was cool to learn that the village is famous for making the liqueur.
Is Chinchón’s Plaza Mayor completely filled with that bullring or was that just a temporary construction?
You know, I’m not sure. I don’t think it’s up there all year, though.
I agree, Salamanca’s Plaza Mayor is one of the prettiest I’ve seen. Haven’t been to Chinchón yet, but I love the bold turquoise colour of the balconies!
I’ve been to Chinchon! It was the first hike I did with the Hiking in Madrid group, we passed through a lot of Madrid countryside before ending in Chinchon for a cana. The square was not set up as a bullring when we were there but we were told that it was often used for that. There were donkeys there giving rides to kids when we were there. I don’t think it’s an amazing plaza mayor like Salamanca but it’s cute and I love how it’s multi purpose.
Oh yeah, we passed through again a few weeks ago, and there were donkeys this time. LOL, they were all “girls,” because they all had girls’ names, like Domenica and such.
I loved staying there – one night in the Parador!
I was so psyched to spend New Year’s there with my boyfriend’s family…until my plane got rerouted and I missed a connecting flight! Hopefully I can make it the next time I’m up in Madrid – looks lovely!