Micro-stories of the Alameda de Hércules

Chronicle of the Journey to the Centre of Flamenco

By Daniela Caminos

Every day we walk through the Alameda de Hércules without knowing that, before it became the great stage of flamenco, it was the intimate refuge where those who created it lived, in their corrales de vecinos.

As the author of «Viaje al centro del flamenco» (Journey to the Centre of Flamenco), I felt it was important to write these micro-stories to share, little by little, how the Alameda became the centre of flamenco and the turning point where the canons still passed down today were established.

Routes by theme

The neighbourhoodI III

DanceIVspecial on its way

The cafés cantantesV

The guitarVI VII VIII.I VIII.IIspecial on its way

The canteII IX.I IX.II IX.IIIspecial on its way

The pianoX

All chapters

Chapter IThe Neighbourhood Before the ArtBefore it was the great stage of flamenco, it was the intimate refuge of those who created it in their corrales de vecinos.
Chapter IICante in the NeighbourhoodA memory documented thanks to writers, historians, flamencologists… and also to the neighbours and families of the barrio.
Chapter IIIWhy Here and Not Somewhere Else?A new bridge and the arrival of the railway: the Alameda went from a place of passage to an artistic destination.
Chapter IVDance AcademiesAcademies where bolero and early flamenco lived together under one roof.
Chapter VBefore the Café Cantante Craze, Seville Already Had Its Dance SalonsArt is not at odds with entrepreneurship.
Chapter VIThe Academy of the Laguna de la FeriaFlamenco guitar had its informal academy at the Laguna de la Feria.
Chapter VIIFrom Coal Boy to Father of the Sevillian School of GuitarNiño Ricardo: the most sought-after accompanying guitarist of his time.
Chapter VIII · Part IAll the Names of the Toque: The First Ones, from the 19th CenturyThe silent chair: the six strings that safeguarded flamenco’s golden age.
Chapter VIII · Part IIAll the Names of the Toque: Towards Consolidation, 19th and 20th CenturiesThe tocaores who brought the toque to its consolidation, in order of birth.
Chapter IX · Part IAll the Names of the Cante: The Beginning of Singing Seville’s AxisThe cante is a mystery of salt, earth and fire.
Chapter IX · Part IIAll the Names of the Cante Linked to the Alameda: 19th CenturyA tribute to all the singers’ names we know and to those we do not.
Chapter IX · Part IIIAll the Names of the Cante Linked to the Alameda: 20th CenturyThe cante is codified, recorded and becomes an industry.
Chapter XJondo on the Piano Began on the Alameda: A Special Tribute to Currito el de la Jeroma, the All-Round ArtistA special tribute to Currito el de la Jeroma, the all-round artist.
⏳SpecialThe Sevillian School of DanceThe talent impossible to imitateKeeping compás while we wait…
⏳SpecialThe Guitar of the Cuartitos (small private rooms)All the Names of the Toque · Part IIIKeeping compás while we wait…
⏳SpecialPepa Oro’s JourneyThe flamenco milonga’s round trip on the Alameda (ida y vuelta: songs that travelled between Spain and Latin America)Keeping compás while we wait…

I dedicate this chronicle to the grandsons and granddaughters, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren of all those who left their mark and their knowledge where flamenco lived its splendour, on the Alameda de Hércules.

Walk this story

Alameda de Hércules · A historical walk through where flamenco lived its splendour.

See the route