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Walking with Writers: Ernest Hemingway in Madrid

Johnny Turner

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Ernest Hemingway was one of the most prolific writers of the 20th century. He is known for his novels, short stories, and journalism, which often explored themes of war, love, and loss. Hemingway spent a significant amount of time in Madrid, where he lived and worked from 1925 to 1927. During this time, he wrote some of his most famous works, including The Sun Also Rises and For Whom the Bell Tolls.

Ernest Hemingway in Madrid: Walking with Writers

by Mary Roberts Rinehart

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	14947 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	112 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

Hemingway's time in Madrid was a period of great growth and change for him. He arrived in the city as a young and inexperienced writer, but he left as a seasoned journalist and author. Madrid was a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, and Hemingway immersed himself in its culture and people. He spent his days exploring the city's streets, bars, and bullrings, and he wrote extensively about his experiences in his work.

Hemingway's Madrid

Hemingway's Madrid was a city of contrasts. It was a city of beauty and culture, but it was also a city of poverty and violence. Hemingway was drawn to both sides of the city, and he wrote about them with equal honesty and compassion.

One of Hemingway's favorite places in Madrid was the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, the city's bullring. Hemingway was a passionate fan of bullfighting, and he often attended the bullfights with friends. He wrote extensively about bullfighting in his work, and his stories and essays on the subject are considered some of the best in the English language.

Another place that Hemingway frequented was the Café Gijón. The Gijón was a popular meeting place for writers, artists, and intellectuals, and Hemingway was a regular at the café's famous tertulia, or literary gathering. It was at the Gijón that Hemingway met many of the people who would become his lifelong friends and influences.

Hemingway's time in Madrid was not without its challenges. He witnessed the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936, and he covered the war as a journalist for the North American Newspaper Alliance. Hemingway's experiences during the war deeply affected him, and they would later form the basis for his novel For Whom the Bell Tolls.

Hemingway's Legacy

Hemingway's legacy in Madrid is still visible today. The city is home to several museums and memorials dedicated to the writer, and his work continues to be read and studied by people all over the world. Hemingway's time in Madrid was a formative experience for him, and it helped to shape him into one of the most important writers of the 20th century.

Walking in Hemingway's Footsteps

If you are a fan of Ernest Hemingway, then you can follow in his footsteps by visiting some of the places he frequented in Madrid. Here are a few suggestions:

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas: The bullring where Hemingway watched many bullfights.
Café Gijón: The literary hangout where Hemingway spent many hours discussing writing and politics.
Hotel Ritz: The hotel where Hemingway stayed during his time in Madrid.
The Gran Vía: The busy street where Hemingway often walked and shopped.
The Retiro Park: The park where Hemingway took long walks and thought about his writing.

By visiting these places, you can get a sense of the Madrid that Hemingway knew and loved. You can imagine him walking the streets, talking to friends, and writing about the city's beauty and contradictions.