Cuchilleros Arch – Plaza Mayor

The Arco de Cuchilleros, that could be translated as the Cutlers Arch, is the most famous of the nine arched porticos of the Plaza Mayor of Madrid.

It is located in the southwest corner of the square, with its considerable height due to the large gap in the ground level between the Plaza Mayor, and the Cava de San Miguel.

After a fire in the Plaza Mayor in 1790, the square was completely closed, and a series of arcades were built to give access to it.

Its name is due to the nearby street of Cuchilleros, were the Cutlers Guild workshops were located, in order to supply their products to the guild of butchers, located within the square.

At present, the arch of Cuchilleros and the street with the same name, along with Cava de San Miguel, and the Cava Baja, is a prominent tourist spot of Madrid, because of the concentration of tapas bars, and restaurants that exist in the area. Very close to this point, is the very popular San Miguel Market, which is just 100 meters from the Arc of Cutlers. Also, the Cava Baja, which is 150 meters away, from the Arch of Cutlers, is very recommendable because of the concentration of many tapa bars.