La Latina in Madrid one of the oldest areas in Madrid, with narrow streets and large squares with one of the highest consecrations of tapas bars in Spain is also the home of a historic alpargata or espadrilles store.
Founded in around 1830 and only wide enough to serve three people at a time, Spaniards and tourists line up from the morning to buy these hand sewn canvas shoes.
It’s the sole which makes the alpargata what it is made from tough hemp fibres, stripped from the cannabis bush, which are braided and then woven into the oblong sole.
The alpargata is as Spanish as bullfights and flamenco and aficionados have included everyone from Catalan farmers and Parisienne fashionistas to Jack Nicholson and Pope John Paul II.
Salvador Dali used to make unforgettable entrances in a formal jacket, boldly patterned shirt, and simple alpargatas on his feet. Sophia Loren glamourized the alpargata in the 1960s, parading the pages of glossy fashion mags in high-heeled espadrilles with boldly coloured ribbons criss-crossing her calves.
Fashion being what it is you can now find a range of colours for your alpargatas ranging from 1980s retro fluros to natural tones.
In staying true to their roots, alpargatas are still remarkably cheap. You can saunter out with a basic pair for as little as 6 euros with the higher quality ones going for a mere 12 euros.