XIX Century

• And then came the French

The French entered Spain tricking Carlos IV via a turncoat by the name of Godoy. In 1808 a royal edict dictated that the citizens of Madrid not only be amiable toward the French, but even lodge the French troops. On May 2nd, the people of Madrid rose up against the French by arming themselves with whatever they could find. The confrontations began in Calle Bailen, Calle Mayor, la Puerta del Sol, and the Plaza de Santo Domingo. The revolt was controlled by the French and by the end of the battle nearly a thousand French and Madrileños died. For four years while Carlos IV and his son were in France, Jose Bonaparte ruled from the palace in Madrid.

• Difficult years

When the French left Spain, the situation in Madrid was distressing: the churches and convents were destroyed and the Buen Retiro park was decimated by the French troops´ settling in and digging ditches. The Prado Museum was used as a stable and the astronomical Observatory as an explosives warehouse.

The years following the war of independence were difficult for the people of Madrid with the combination of losing loved ones and the famine that imprisoned the city. Fernando VII paralyzed all works begun by Jose Bonaparte and gave back the expropriated convents and churches to their rightful owners.

The time of Isabel II is known for the infamous church sales, of which redistribution of the Church's properties by the State was proposed. Buildings were constructed that would easily be profitable and many religious buildings were occupied by civilian or military institutions.

• Let it flow!

One important advance of this time period (made by Dr. Joaquín Vizcaino, the mayor of Madrid) without a doubt was the arrival of the water from the Lozoya River. Construction of the pipeline began in 1851 and seven years later the water arrived in Madrid. 77 kilometers were constructed for the channel which transported daily 81,000 cubic meters of water to satisfy the needs of the city. At the same time as this triumphant arrival to the city, the famous night watchmen also arrived to protect the city after dark. As well, the first train set out from the Atocha train station with Aranjuez as its destiny.

Demolishing the mud wall that Felipe II had constructed, the construction of a more modern Madrid began to take place with improved structure for streets making them wider and more linear. The effects of this major urban facelift can still be seen today: in the district of Salamanca the highest bourgeoisie would call home, in Argüelles the more middle ground bourgeoisie, and the Chamberí district would become the artisans home. For the working class, south of the avenue to Aragón ( calle Alcala) was assigned to them. Everything was organized including the future locations of hospitals, orphanages, jails, cemeteries, buildings etc...

• Let there be light!

Another important advance came at the end of century when electricity arrived for Madrid. The immediate repercussions were not very extensive, but slowly electricity replaced gas as the dominant force in daily life, for example as the primary lighting system.