commemorative plaque to Horacio Vázquez-Rial

The commemorative plaque to Horacio Vázquez-Rial stands in Madrid, on the facade of a building at Avenida de las Islas Filipinas 50, in the Chamberí district, marking the home where the writer lived and died.

Who was Horacio Vázquez-Rial?

Horacio Vázquez-Rial was born in Buenos Aires on 20 March 1947, the son of Spanish emigrants. He worked as a novelist, journalist, translator and historian, building a literary career that spanned both Argentina and Spain. His left-wing political activity forced him into exile from Argentina in November 1974, and he was only able to return to his home country twelve years later. He settled in Spain, where he studied medieval history and earned a doctorate in human geography from the University of Barcelona. After years in Barcelona he moved to Madrid, where he lived until his death on 6 September 2012.

What is he known for as a writer?

Vázquez-Rial left behind a substantial body of fiction, including "Las dos muertes de Gardel" (2001), "El maestro de los ángeles" (1997), "El soldado de porcelana" (1997), "Frontera sur" (1994), "La isla inútil" (1991) and "Oscuras materias de la luz" (1986). He was a finalist for the prestigious Nadal Prize in 1986 for his novel "La historia del triste," and also a finalist for the Plaza y Janés Prize for "La reina de oro." Alongside his novels, he worked as a columnist for major Spanish newspapers — ABC, El País and El Mundo — commenting on political and cultural affairs.

Where is the plaque and who put it up?

The commemorative plaque was installed in 2013, a year after the writer's death, on the initiative of the Madrid City Council (Ayuntamiento de Madrid). It sits on the building at Avenida de las Islas Filipinas 50, in a quiet part of the Chamberí district north of the city centre. The inscription marks the place where Vázquez-Rial lived and died — a standard form of civic memory that Madrid uses for figures tied to the capital's cultural life.

How do you get to the plaque?

Chamberí is well connected to central Madrid, with metro stations serving the northern part of the city within easy reach, and Avenida de las Islas Filipinas itself is a short walk from nearby bus stops. It's worth combining a visit to the plaque with a stroll through Chamberí, a district known for its intimate residential architecture and abundance of neighbourhood cafés.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Horacio Vázquez-Rial? He was an Argentine-Spanish writer, journalist and translator, born in Buenos Aires in 1947, the author of more than a dozen novels and a long-time columnist for the Spanish press.

Where does the plaque stand? On the facade of the building at Avenida de las Islas Filipinas 50, in Madrid's Chamberí district.

When was the plaque installed and who put it up? It was unveiled in 2013 on the initiative of Madrid City Council, a year after the writer's death.

Is there anything else worth seeing nearby? Yes — the Chamberí district makes for a pleasant walk, known for its intimate architecture and local cafés, just north of Madrid's city centre.