London: A Pilgrimage , written by Blanchard Jerrold and magnificently illustrated by Gustave Doré, stands as one of the greatest literary and graphic portraits of Victorian London. First published in 1872, the work captures the city at a decisive moment in its history: industrial expansion, demographic growth, deep social contrasts, immense poverty, dazzling wealth, and the birth of modern urban life. Jerrold, a journalist, playwright, and sharp observer, wandered through London for years in the company of Doré. Together they explored everything—from the most dangerous slums to the most refined drawing rooms; from crowded markets to imposing cathedrals; from the bustling docks of the Thames to the parks where the bourgeoisie strolled amid rapid social change. The result is a literary chronicle that blends social criticism with wonder, irony with empathy, and rigorous observation with remarkable aesthetic sensitivity. Jerrold’s prose recreates a London that is contradictory, vibrant, and overflowing with life. He describes its people with extraordinary detail: beggars, street vendors, laborers, artists, sailors, aristocrats, policemen, gamblers, drunkards, clergymen, hustlers, working women, and abandoned children. His gaze does more than depict—it analyzes, compares, explains, and denounces, providing a panoramic view of the complex social structure of the capital of the British Empire. Complementing the text, the 180 illustrations by Gustave Doré form one of the most impressive graphic reportages of the 19th century. Doré transforms the harshness of daily life into scenes of immense beauty and expressive power. His images portray both the monumental grandeur of London and its harsh human reality: the poor districts, prisons and workhouses, fog-covered bridges, narrow damp streets, popular entertainments, and the endless riverfront. Each engraving is, in itself, a historical document. This new edition presents the complete Spanish translation together with the full set of restored illustrations, allowing the reader to experience the work as it was originally conceived. Reading London: A Pilgrimage means stepping into the everyday world of a city moving toward modernity while burdened by enormous inequalities and social tension. It is total immersion into the London of 1870: fascinating, vigorous, dark and luminous at the same time. Beyond its documentary value, the book is essential for understanding the origins of many traits of the contemporary metropolis: diversity, dynamism, and the interplay between tradition and change. It is not only a classic of travel literature and urban reportage, but also a foundational reference for historians, urban planners, lovers of Victorian culture, and admirers of Doré’s art. Together, Jerrold and Doré created a deep, complete, humane, and artistic vision of a city that symbolizes an entire era. This edition aims to recover that original spirit and offer modern readers an unforgettable journey through the capital of the 19th century.