Ratón Pérez – the Spanish equivalent of the Tooth Fairy – was created by Jesuit writer Luis Coloma back in the 19th century. When he was eight years old, King Alfonso XIII lost a tooth and Coloma, who was a royal advisor, was commissioned to write a story for the little boy. The author dreamed up a tale about a mouse who lived with his family in a biscuit box in the pantry of a sweet shop, not far from the Royal Palace. Every night the mouse, who was called Ratón Pérez, would visit the bedrooms of all the children, including the young king, who’d lost a tooth and leave them a little gift.
The Ratón Pérez House Museum is found in the same place where the adorable mouse was said to have lived with his family. Spread across two small rooms, the museum invites children and their families to see with their own eyes what Ratón Pérez's house looked like, to read historical documents related to the famous character and to see “certified” teeth belonging to the likes of Beatrix Potter, Beethoven, Isaac Newton and Rosalía de Castro. The museum is recommended for children aged 5+.
Other places in which to spot Ratón Perez
Keep your eyes peeled and you’re bound to find a few other of the little mouse’s hiding places dotted around the city.
At number 48, Calle de San Vicente Ferrer, for example, there’s a small door, behind which lies a tiny room filled with all sorts of miniature furniture and household items. Similarly, at number 13, Calle de Velázquez, you’ll find a larger sitting room, packed with things, located on the ground floor, under a dental clinic.
Additionally, at the Banco de España metro exit, beneath one of the railings surrounding the steps down to the trains, you can spot a tiny door. We suspect it’s used by the little mouse to travel by metro to children’s houses across the city.
Ratón Pérez, ambassador for children's tourism in Madrid
Families that come to visit the city can enjoy a very special guide: Ratón Pérez’s Madrid. The book comes packed with puzzles and pages to draw on and colour in, and teaches children lots of fun facts about Madrid. And once they've completed the quiz that's included in the guide, you can stop by the Plaza Mayor Tourist Information Centre to pick up an "Expert on Madrid" diploma.
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