Café de La Montaña

Café de La Montaña was one of Madrid's legendary literary cafés, a bustling gathering spot at Puerta del Sol that no longer exists but left a lasting mark on the city's cultural history.

Where was the café located?

The café occupied the ground floor of a building on Puerta del Sol, with a second entrance on Calle de Alcalá, right next to the access to the old Hotel París. This same spot had already hosted the earlier Café Imperial, and further back in time, before the remodeling of Puerta del Sol between 1857 and 1862, the site was occupied by the Church of Buen Suceso.

Why was it called "de la Montaña"?

The café opened on 15 April 1896, founded by Martín Lavín Cecín, a native of Santander. The name "de la Montaña" refers to his home region, Cantabria, which at the time was commonly known as "la Montaña" (the mountain).

What made this café special?

It was a large, deep establishment that was always busy. Students played billiards in the basement, while upstairs the main room hosted lively tertulias — informal literary and artistic gatherings. Regulars included the bohemian writer Alejandro Sawa, the Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío, one of the founding figures of Spanish-language modernism, and the celebrated bullfighter Frascuelo. The café became one of the meeting points for the generation of writers known as the Generación del 98.

What is the café remembered for today?

Café de La Montaña is best remembered for a dramatic incident in 1899. Writer Ramón del Valle-Inclán got into a confrontation with journalist Manuel Bueno, who struck him on the left arm with his cane during the argument. A cufflink caused a wound in the process, and the resulting infection led to the amputation of Valle-Inclán's arm just days later. The episode became one of the most retold anecdotes of Madrid's literary scene at the turn of the 20th century.

The café stayed open even after the Spanish Civil War before eventually closing for good. The building it once occupied on Puerta del Sol today houses the offices of an international telecommunications company.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly was Café de La Montaña located? On Puerta del Sol in Madrid, with an additional entrance on Calle de Alcalá, in a building next to the former Hotel París.

When did the café open and who owned it? It opened on 15 April 1896, founded by Martín Lavín Cecín, who came from Santander — hence the name "de la Montaña."

Does Café de La Montaña still exist? No, the café closed long ago. The building on Puerta del Sol where it once stood is now occupied by a telecommunications company office.

What is the café's connection to Spanish literature? It was a hub for modernist writers and the Generación del 98, and it is especially remembered for the 1899 altercation between Ramón del Valle-Inclán and Manuel Bueno, which ended with the amputation of Valle-Inclán's arm.