A nameless watchmaker keeps an eye on Madrid’s Calle de la Sal (Salt Street), less than a block from the Plaza Mayor. He’s only sort-of-nameless. People call him the Salt Street Watchmaker.
He’s an automaton, perched on a balcony over an old clock and watch store with a carillon, Antigua Relojeria. He’s a become a favorite character of locals and visitors alike, as people stop underneath him and every half-hour to watch him come to life to work on his timepiece. Sometimes he even moves a little between those times; staying still must be boring even for a mechanical man. The music that plays for him is “Madrid” from a traditional Madrid zarzuela (operetta), with lyrics that literally sing the praises of the city.
Nearby
Name | Since | Distance | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Love Art? Welcome to Madrid! en | 1.2km | site_izi | |||
Lose yourself in the Madrid of the Austrians en | 0.3km | site_izi | |||
Historic Madrid – Where Heaven Kisses Earth en | 0.3km | site_izi | |||
Urbirun Madrid – Highlights en fr | 0.3km | site_izi | |||
Madrid city tour de en fr it | 0.7km | site_izi | |||
The Well of the Miracle | 2020 | 0.6km | site_ao | ||
Relics of St. Valentine at Iglesia de San Antón | 2019 | 1.1km | site_ao | ||
Caja de las Letras | 2019 | 1km | site_ao | ||
Convent of the Holy Spirit Crypts | 2019 | 0.8km | site_ao | ||
Tío Pepe Sign | 2019 | 0.3km | site_ao | ||
The Bear and the Strawberry Tree | 2019 | 0.3km | site_ao | ||
Madrid’s Walk of Fame | 2018 | 1.2km | site_ao | ||
San Antonio de los Alemanes | 2018 | 0.8km | site_ao | ||
‘Witches’ Sabbath (The Great He-Goat)’ | 2018 | 1.2km | site_ao | ||
An Archaeological Museum Inside a Madrid Subway Station | 2018 | 0.4km | site_ao | ||
The Royal Quartet at the Palace of Madrid | 2017 | 0.7km | site_ao | ||
The Tower of the Bones | 2017 | 0.5km | site_ao | ||
Air Crash Angel | 2017 | 0.3km | site_ao | ||
Muslim Walls of Madrid | 2018 | 0.7km | site_ao |
About the source: Atlas Obscura
Atlas Obscura aims 'to inspire wonder and curiosity about the incredible world we all share'. You can contribute to their collection on their website.