Happy TravellerWelcome to Usera, one of the most fascinating and multicultural districts in Madrid, Spain. Located on the southern bank of the Manzanares, Usera is a district with a rich history, diverse culture, and a unique charm that attracts visitors from all over the world.
Usera was created in the city restructuring that took place on March 28, 1987, from the northern part of the Villaverde district and the abolished Mediodia district. The name of the district comes from the Usera neighborhood, located in the north of the district. This neighborhood has its origin in some land located to the north of the municipality of Villaverde that belonged to Tio Sordillo, a farmer from the municipality whose daughter married Colonel Marcelo Usera. The Colonel proposed that the development of this land would be more profitable than cultivation, so between 1925 and 1930 the land was divided into plots and sold. The person in charge of the delineation and layout of the streets was Colonel Marcelos administrator, who decided to name many streets after members of the Usera family, as well as his service personnel and some neighbors.
In the late 1930s, Usera gained notoriety because of the so-called Usera Tunnel scam, which cost the lives of at least 67 people. Usera began to grow from the 1960s onwards with immigrants mainly from rural areas in the rest of Spain, which developed a new network of commercial and service industries. From the 1980s onwards, the district was negatively affected by drug addiction and insecurity. However, since the 2000s, Usera has been revitalized by becoming Madrid’s Chinatown. With the arrival of thousands of Chinese families, the character of the neighborhood has changed completely and safety increased. Nearly 11,000 Chinese citizens currently live in Usera, reproducing its business models, traditions, gastronomy, and festivals.
Usera is located to the south of the center of Madrid and is bounded to the east by the Manzanares River (between the Praga Bridge and the M-40), to the south by the M-40 motorway, and to the west by the A-42 autovía. It is bordered by the district of Carabanchel to the west and northwest, Arganzuela to the north, Puente de Vallecas to the east, and Villaverde to the south. The district is administratively divided into 7 wards (Barrios): Orcasitas, Orcasur, San Fermín, Almendrales, Moscardó, Zofío, and Pradolongo.
In the Usera district, there are 18 childcare centers (9 public and 9 private), 11 public nursery and primary schools, 5 secondary schools, and 16 private schools (with and without state funding). The Chinese New Year is celebrated in February with parades and a Light Festival. The Usera festivities are held over a week towards the end of June. The Pradolongo Park is the main stage. Usera is home to the Caja Mágica (Magic Box), a multipurpose stadium used mainly for tennis competitions. The Caja Mágica hosts the annual Madrid Open, part of the ATP World Tour Masters 1000. Usera is also the location of the Román Valero soccer stadium, belonging to the Colonia Moscardó Sports Club and the Unión Deportiva Usera soccer school, both located in Moscardó. Usera is the neighborhood with the largest concentration of the Chinese community in Spain, and it is home to a large number of Chinese shops and restaurants. The district is served by a number of bus routes including night routes and the express route E1. Buses are operated by EMT Madrid.
Come and immerse yourself in the culture, history, and diversity that Usera has to offer. From the charming streets of Usera neighborhood to the bustling Chinatown, the district of Usera has something for everyone. Whether you’re a foodie, a history buff, or a sports enthusiast, Usera is the perfect destination for your next adventure in Madrid.
