From among the most typical places of the old Madrid, stands out the Arco de Cuchilleros. Situated in one of the angles of Plaza Mayor, and built by the famous Gómez de Mora.

Descending the steps leading to the street of the same name Cuchilleros, called by those who worked as cutlers, we find “ Las Cuevas de Luis Candelas ”. A place, where a typical inn existed, and was visited at the beginning of 1800, by the most typical people of Madrid of the Austrias.

One of these, was the famous bandit Luis Candelas. A young man with a dual personality: Luis Candelas Cagigal , a bandit with a particular way of dressing - a turquoise blue waistcoat, Mahon trousers, a cummerbund and andalusian hat-, and Mr. Luis Álvarez de Cobos, a rich landowner in Peru, who helped the poor with stolen money.

The bandit had in the caves of the inn, a very appreciated hideout. He met there with his “squad” to celebrate the done blows with fortune and to prepare the next. They used its narrow and gloomy passages, and several exits, under the Plaza Mayor, to confuse their pursuers.

In 1827 he married Manuela Sánchez in the Church of San Cayetano, and moved to Zamora, where he lived some time until he decided to return to the capital.