Antonio Paso Cano

Antonio Paso Cano is commemorated by a modest memorial plaque in Madrid, marking the life of one of Spain's most prolific playwrights from the turn of the 20th century. It sits at Calle Apodaca 9, in the Justicia district, just steps from Chueca and Gran Vía.

What does this plaque commemorate?

The plaque honors Antonio Paso Cano (1868-1958), author of more than two hundred plays and zarzuela librettos, who died in this very building. The inscription reads: "A Don Antonio Paso Cano, 1868-1958, que murió en esta casa" (who died in this house). It was placed by the Sociedad General de Autores de España (Spanish General Society of Authors) in 1968 — exactly one hundred years after the playwright's birth.

Who was Antonio Paso Cano?

Born in Granada in 1868, he earned a degree in Philosophy and Letters from the University of Granada before starting out as a journalist, eventually becoming editor-in-chief of La Correspondencia Militar. From 1894 he turned to theater and became one of the best-known names of Madrid's popular stage, writing over two hundred plays and librettos, including the zarzuelas El niño judío and Genio y figura. He also founded the Montepío de Autores Españoles, an institution supporting disabled writers and their families. He died in Madrid in 1958, in the house at Calle Apodaca 9.

What does the plaque look like?

It's a rectangular slab of white marble measuring 60 by 80 centimeters, with beveled edges, fixed to the wall with four bronze diamond-headed nails. The text is engraved and painted. It was unveiled on December 6, 1968, by Joaquín Calvo Sotelo, then president of the Sociedad General de Autores de España, together with Madrid's first deputy mayor.

How to get there?

The plaque is mounted on the facade of a building at Calle Apodaca 9, in the Justicia district, right in central Madrid. It's a quiet but well-connected area, a short walk from Gran Vía and Plaza de Chueca, surrounded by cafés and shops. The nearest metro stations are Bilbao (lines 1 and 4) and Tribunal (line 1), both a few minutes away on foot.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Walking through Justicia and neighboring Chueca, it's worth stopping by Plaza Vázquez de Mella, the Church of San Antón, or Gran Vía itself with its distinctive early-20th-century architecture. The district is full of small cafés and bars, making it easy to combine this stop with a short walk through Madrid's theatrical history.

When to visit?

Since it's a facade plaque, it can be seen year-round, at any time of day. Early morning or late afternoon tend to be best, when the street is quieter and the light falls nicely on the building's front.

Frequently asked questions

Is the plaque in a publicly accessible spot? Yes, it's mounted on the outside facade of the building at Calle Apodaca 9 and can be viewed freely from the pavement.

Who was Antonio Paso Cano? A Spanish playwright and zarzuela librettist born in Granada in 1868, author of more than two hundred stage works, who died in Madrid in 1958.

Who commissioned the plaque? The Sociedad General de Autores de España, unveiled in 1968 on the hundredth anniversary of the writer's birth.

Is there anything else to see nearby? Yes — the Justicia and Chueca districts, Plaza Vázquez de Mella, and Gran Vía are all within a few minutes' walk.