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Roots and Resistance: A Black History Tour of Madrid

30 Reviews 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 30 reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Madrid, Spain
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 33 (0) days in advance.

2 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Step into the untold history of Madrid and discover the deep, enduring legacy of Black communities in Spain. "Roots & Resistance" is an eye-opening journey through the hidden narratives of African heritage, resilience, and cultural contributions that have shaped the city for centuries.

From the powerful presence of the Moors, whose rule for over 700 years left an indelible mark on Spain’s architecture, language, and knowledge systems, to the often-overlooked stories of enslaved Africans who lived, labored, and resisted in Madrid—this tour sheds light on a past that history books often omit.

We will explore the city's colonial connections, tracing how Spain’s empire thrived on the exploitation of African labor in the Americas and how the wealth generated from slavery influenced Madrid’s rise as a global power.

What's Included

  • Guide services
  • Carbonated beverages NO DRINKS
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Plaza de Isabel II
Centro, 28013 Madrid, Spain

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Plaza Mayor
Madrid, Spain

The tour ends at Plaza Mayor, one of the best known and busiest places in the city. This is the centre near the famous Puerta del Sol, one of the radial network of Spanish roads.

What To Expect

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Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Teatro Real

This journey through the slave history of Madrid begins in Plaza de Isabel II. The trace of this "business" can still be seen in numerous places in the Spanish capital, especially around Puerta del Sol area where enslaved people influenced the configuration of the city as we know it. The famous Calle Alcalá that played a major role on the transatlantic slave trade, the equestrian statue of Carlos III, a king that is credited with owning more than 20,000S slaves and the surroundings of the iconic Plaza Mayor where the slave market used to be. Hidden history in plain sight. This tour is the reaffirmation of the black presence in the Iberian Peninsula centuries before Christopher Columbus.
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20 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Royal Palace of Madrid

The Royal Palace of Madrid is one of the most beautiful and best preserved in Europe. Its more than 135,000 square metres have witnessed centuries of Spanish history. It is the largest royal palace in Western Europe3​ and one of the largest in the world. It houses a valuable historical and artistic heritage, including the House of the Blacks.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Catedral de Sta Maria la Real de la Almudena

333 / 5.000 The construction of the Cathedral of Santa María la Real de la Almudena began on 22 December 1868 when the Congregation of Slaves of the Virgin of Almudena asked the Archbishop of Toledo for permission to build another church dedicated to the Virgin of Almudena, as the first one had been demolished in the revolution of 1868.
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25 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Iglesia de San Gines

On Arenal Street is the church of San Ginés, dedicated to the French saint San Ginés de Arles. It is one of the oldest churches in Madrid, built in 1645 on the remains of what is believed to have been a Mozarabic hermitage.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor PlazaMayoBarea_1404213325.208.jpg PlazaMayorTerraz_1421930108.135.jpg PlazaMayorLucas_1421930618.48.jpg Anterior Siguiente Description Information (active tab) Services MapMadrid’s grand central square is found in the heart of Hapsburg Madrid, the oldest part of the city. Steeped in history, the bustling plaza is the perfect place to begin your stroll through one of Madrid’s most charming districts but also with a very history.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Included

Puerta del Sol

This bustling square located bang in the centre of Madrid is one of the city’s most famous sites. With its semi-circular shape, it's a junction for many of the city’s historical and busiest streets such as Calle Mayor, Calle del Arenal, as well as the starting point for all major radial roads in Spain. The conception of Puerta del Sol is due to Spanish families who were strongly linked to the slave trade.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Included

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • A minimum of 3 pax for the tour to go ahead

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Roots and Resistance: A Black History Tour of Madrid?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CET).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-434471P1

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Reviews

5.00
30 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 30 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
30
4 stars
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3 stars
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2 stars
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1 star
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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 33 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Guide services
  • Carbonated beveragesNO DRINKS

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • A minimum of 3 pax for the tour to go ahead
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

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