The triangular Plaza de Lavapiés is one of the few open spaces in Lavapiés and is a magnet for all that’s good (a thriving cultural life) and bad (drugs and a high police presence) about the barrio. It’s been cleaned up a little in recent years and the Teatro Valle-Inclán , on the southern edge of the plaza, is a stunning contemporary addition to the eclectic Lavapiés streetscape.
To find out what makes this barrio tick, consider dropping in to the Asociación de Vecinos La Corrala , the local neighbours' association just up the hill from the plaza, where staff are happy to highlight all that’s good about Lavapiés without dismissing its problems.
