commemorative plaque to Emilio Novoa

A commemorative plaque to Emilio Novoa stands in Madrid, on a residential building on Calle de General Díaz Porlier in the Salamanca district. It honors the telecommunications engineer Emilio Novoa González, who lived in this house until his death in 1972. It's a small but noteworthy stop for anyone curious about the history of technology and about the quieter corners of the Spanish capital.

Who was Emilio Novoa?

Emilio Novoa González was born in 1895 in Ourense, into a family with a telegraphy background — his father also worked as a telegraph operator. In 1913 he joined the Telegraph Corps and soon after began studying at the Official School of Telegraphy, graduating among the first class of engineers trained specifically in telecommunications. Over the following decades he became closely associated with the development of telephony, telegraphy, and telex in Spain, and is remembered as one of the pioneers of the field in the country. He died on 2 February 1972 in his own home at Calle de General Díaz Porlier 77-79.

Novoa also played a significant role in technical education: he was the first director of the Higher Technical School of Telecommunications Engineers when it moved to its new campus at Ciudad Universitaria in 1965. Because of that, his name comes up not only on the plaque marking his home but also in the broader history of academic telecommunications in Madrid.

How to get there?

The plaque sits in Salamanca, one of Madrid's most elegant and representative districts, known for its wide avenues, turn-of-the-20th-century apartment buildings, and upscale boutiques. The area is well connected to the city centre — getting there by metro or bus from Puerta del Sol or Gran Vía typically takes only about fifteen minutes. A walk through Salamanca is also a good chance to admire other period buildings and get a feel for the bourgeois Madrid of a century ago.

What will you see?

The plaque itself is a small, understated feature on the façade of a residential building — not a major tourist draw, but rather a detail for travellers who enjoy tracking historical traces on city walls. It was installed by the Madrid city council in 1996 to commemorate a resident whose work made a meaningful contribution to the development of communications in Spain. It's worth pausing for a moment to read the inscription and set it against the rich history of the building itself and of the Salamanca district, which was still being developed during Novoa's lifetime.

When to visit?

Since the plaque is on an outdoor façade, it can be seen at any time of year or day. Salamanca is most pleasant to walk through in spring and autumn, when Madrid's temperatures are milder than in the height of summer. It's worth pairing the visit with a stroll along the nearby shopping streets and cafés, turning a short stop into a longer walk that gives a better sense of this part of the city.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the plaque located? On the building at Calle de General Díaz Porlier, numbers 77-79, in Madrid's Salamanca district, where Emilio Novoa lived until his death.

Who was Emilio Novoa and why is he commemorated? He was a Spanish telecommunications engineer, a pioneer of telephony, telegraphy and telex, and the first director of the Higher Technical School of Telecommunications Engineers after its move to Ciudad Universitaria in 1965.

When was the plaque installed? It was unveiled by Madrid's city council in 1996.

Is it worth a dedicated trip just to see this plaque? The plaque itself is a small detail, but combined with a walk through the elegant Salamanca district it makes an interesting stop for anyone interested in the history of technology and Madrid's lesser-known corners.