Commemorative plaque to Enrique Herreros, Madrid

The commemorative plaque to Enrique Herreros in Madrid stands in a small municipal park at the corner of Calle de Cea Bermúdez and Calle de Bravo Murillo, in the Chamberí district. It is easy to walk past without noticing, yet it marks the memory of one of the more colorful figures in twentieth-century Madrid culture.

Who was Enrique Herreros?

Enrique García Herreros (1903–1977) was born and raised in Madrid, and his career defies a single label. He worked as an illustrator and cartoonist, co-founding the satirical magazine "La Codorniz," one of the best-known humor publications in Spain, for which he drew hundreds of covers and vignettes commenting on the city's daily life with sharp wit.

His talents went well beyond drawing. Herreros directed films and acted in them, and he also worked as a talent scout, credited with discovering and helping launch the career of Sara Montiel, one of Spain's most famous actresses of the era. He additionally illustrated an edition of "Don Quixote," reflecting the breadth of his artistic interests.

What can you see in the park named after him?

The park where the memorial stands carries his name — Parque Enrique Herreros. Its centerpiece is a bronze portrait bust created by José Torres Guardia, a sculptor from Valencia based in Madrid who was mainly known for trophies and awards within the film and television industries. He completed the head in 1957, while Herreros was still alive, which itself says something about the recognition the artist already enjoyed in the city at the time.

What does the plaque say?

The inscription is short and formal, in keeping with the style of Madrid's municipal memorials:

"AYUNTAMIENTO DE MADRID / PARQUE MUNICIPAL / ENRIQUE HERREROS / HIJO PREDILECTO DE MADRID / (1903–1977) / DICIEMBRE 1993."

The title "Hijo Predilecto de Madrid" ("Favorite Son of Madrid") is an honorary distinction the city council grants to individuals with an exceptional contribution to Madrid. The park, together with the plaque and bust, was unveiled in December 1993, more than a decade after the artist's death, as a lasting tribute to his role in the capital's cultural life.

Is it worth a stop?

This is not a headline tourist attraction drawing crowds, but for anyone interested in Madrid's press history, cinema, or the quieter corners of the city, it makes for an interesting detour. Chamberí is a calm, residential district, and the park with Herreros's memorial fits naturally into that setting — an everyday public space that also keeps alive the memory of a figure central to Madrid's cultural identity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the plaque located? In a municipal park at the corner of Calle de Cea Bermúdez and Calle de Bravo Murillo, in the Chamberí district of Madrid.

When was the memorial unveiled? In December 1993, on the initiative of the Madrid City Council (Ayuntamiento de Madrid).

What was Enrique Herreros honored for? For his contribution to Madrid's cultural life as an illustrator, co-founder of the magazine "La Codorniz," film director, and talent scout, including his role in launching actress Sara Montiel's career.

Who created the sculptural portrait in the park? The bronze head of Herreros was created in 1957 by José Torres Guardia, a Valencia-born sculptor active in Madrid.