Commemorative plaque to Alfonso Sánchez

The commemorative plaque to Alfonso Sánchez sits on a building facade at Calle del Doctor Cortezo 13 in Madrid, right in the heart of the Centro district. It's a small but rewarding stop for visitors exploring the streets around Plaza Tirso de Molina who want to see a quieter, less touristy side of the city's cultural history.

Who was Alfonso Sánchez?

Alfonso Sánchez Martínez (1911–1981) was a Spanish journalist and film critic, one of the best-known commentators on cinema in 20th-century Spain. He lived in this very building on Doctor Cortezo for more than fifty years, writing thousands of reviews and columns for the press from there. From 1960 onward he became widely recognized for co-presenting a television program dedicated to film, which brought his criticism to a much wider audience. A prestigious journalism award, given today by the Spanish Film Academy for outstanding achievement in film communication, was later named after him — a clear sign of the lasting mark he left on the industry.

What does the plaque say?

The plaque was placed by Madrid's city council in 1998. Its inscription notes that for more than fifty years, Alfonso Sánchez practiced film criticism and pioneering journalism from this house. It's one of many commemorative plaques scattered across Madrid that quietly tie the city's architecture to the biographies of the writers, artists, and thinkers who once called specific addresses home.

How do you get there?

The plaque sits in an easily reachable part of central Madrid. The simplest route is by metro to Tirso de Molina station (line 1), just a few minutes' walk from Calle del Doctor Cortezo. The area also connects comfortably on foot to Plaza Mayor, Lavapiés, and Puerta del Sol, making it easy to fold into a longer walk through the historic center.

What else is there to see nearby?

Calle del Doctor Cortezo is a short but atmospheric street linking the busy Calle de Atocha with Plaza Tirso de Molina. Nearby buildings carry their own plaques honoring other residents connected to Madrid's literary and cultural life, while Tirso de Molina square itself is one of the liveliest corners of Centro, home to a flower market and plenty of cafés. It's a good spot to slow down and look past the more obvious tourist trail.

When is the best time to visit?

Since this is an outdoor plaque on a building facade, it can be viewed year-round, at any time of day. Early morning or late afternoon tends to work best, when traffic in this part of Centro is lighter and the light is better for photos. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons for walking this part of the city, thanks to milder temperatures.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the plaque located? On the facade of the building at Calle del Doctor Cortezo 13, in the Centro district, close to Plaza Tirso de Molina.

Who was Alfonso Sánchez? A Spanish journalist and film critic (1911–1981), known for his decades of published criticism and a popular television program about cinema.

Is there an admission fee? No — the plaque is on the exterior wall of a building and can be viewed freely at any time.

What's the fastest way to get there? Take the metro to Tirso de Molina station (line 1), then walk a few minutes toward Calle de Atocha.