Nov 14 Madrid
Week 1 Recap
THURSDAY Nov 15 - Madrid Spain
Breakfast included
We have the day to ourselves and after a decent breakfast at the hotel we head out by taxi to Plaza de Espana. We figured we'd save ourselves time, not sure that we did!
The view down the Gran Via as we stepped out of the cab.
Plaza de España is a large square, a popular tourist destination located in central Madrid, at the western end of the Gran Vía. It features a monument to Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra and is adjacent to two of Madrid's most prominent skyscrapers.
Torre de Madrid ("Madrid Tower") is one of the tallest skyscrapers. It was built in 1957, being an emblematic building for the square and for the city itself. It houses offices and apartments.
A sculpture of Cervantes overlooks that fictional character in a bronze statue that also depicts Sancho Panza, who was Don Quixote's squire in the novel.
It's not like we haven't seen a lot of these guys! Check out our trip to Guanajuato!
Click here for the plot overview.
The figures that make up this emblematic monument have, on the one hand, a seated Cervantes and at the base of the monument, and under the feet of the writer, are the statues of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. The set was finalized when the figures of Dulcinea and Aldonza Lorenzo were added, also characters of the Cervantes novel. Alluding to the universality of Don Quixote, the monument also contemplates the five continents, all of them reading the work of Cervantes. On the other side and above the fountains, is represented the Spanish Literature, dressed in period and holding a book with his right hand. The tree that predominates in the landscaping of the square is the olive tree, in homage to the La Mancha fields in the wanderings of Don Quixote and Sancho.
The Gran Via is a hustling and bustling part of Madrid‘s city center, with no shortage of interesting and exciting things to do and see.
Click here for the plot overview.
The figures that make up this emblematic monument have, on the one hand, a seated Cervantes and at the base of the monument, and under the feet of the writer, are the statues of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. The set was finalized when the figures of Dulcinea and Aldonza Lorenzo were added, also characters of the Cervantes novel. Alluding to the universality of Don Quixote, the monument also contemplates the five continents, all of them reading the work of Cervantes. On the other side and above the fountains, is represented the Spanish Literature, dressed in period and holding a book with his right hand. The tree that predominates in the landscaping of the square is the olive tree, in homage to the La Mancha fields in the wanderings of Don Quixote and Sancho.
The Gran Via is a hustling and bustling part of Madrid‘s city center, with no shortage of interesting and exciting things to do and see.
Gran Via 24, is a magnificent neo-classical building is the former home of the Merchants and Industrialists' Circle and has been transformed into a boutique, adults-only hotel and casino following a multi-million euro renovation.
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Senator Hotel
The Senator is my choice for my next trip to Spain, it is perfectly located and pricing is not bad at 100 euros per night.
Gran Vía 38: Hotel Atlántico Joaquín Saldaña López: 1921-1923 commissioned by the Marquis of Falces to build a residence for housing is one of the architectural landmarks of outstanding beauty on the Gran Vía itself, with an eclectic French style, a wide variety of friezes, jambs, tympanums, balustrades and finishes, all decorated with an allegorical, fantastic approach.
Not far from Metropolis building (seen yesterday) is a neo-classical building (among all the construction taking place) that stands out because of its red brick facade, which housed Iglesia de las Calatravas (Church of Calatravas).
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Slightly opposite Iglesia de las Calatravas and located at the corner is an attractive building with an equally couple of quadriga (4 Horse chariot) sculptures to boost. This is a BBVA bank building.
Very reminiscent of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
Gran Vía 28: Edificio Telefónica. Ignacio de Cárdenas Pastor: 1925, 1926-1929
From 1929-1953 it was the highest skyscraper in Spain. It was also one of the first in Europe.
On the east side lies the statue of The Bear and the Strawberry Tree (in Spanish, el Oso y el Madroño), the heraldic symbol of Madrid.
The first appearance of a wild bear and a strawberry tree on the coat of arms of the city was in the 13th century. Previously, it only incorporated a bear in passant attitude, until it was replaced in the aforementioned century by the two current figures. With this change, they wanted to symbolise the resolution adopted by the municipality and the Chapter of Priests and Beneficiaries after a long litigation about the control of Madrilenian pastures and trees. Since this agreement, the former became property of the Chapter and the latter of the council. From here they modified the arms, including a strawberry tree and of a bear in a new posture: leaning on the tree with both paws.
The famous Tío Pepe lighted sign was above the square's eastern building between the Calle de Alcalá and the Carrera de San Jerónimo (Apple store today) for a long time, now is on top of the former Paris Hotel.
Walking around the square.
Between the 17th and 19th centuries, the area was an important meeting place: as the goal for the couriers coming from abroad and other parts of Spain to the Post Office, it was visited by those eager for the latest news.
Time for a cafe con leche.
Courtyard beside a church.
Musicians outside the church of San Ginés (Spanish: iglesia de San Ginés de Arlés) is one of the oldest churches in that city. It is situated on the Calle Arenal.
Madrid’s street signs are probably the most artistic, elaborated and colorful of all street signs in a capital city in Europe (if not in the world!). At least those street signs in the older part of the city boast customized tile designs referring to that street’s particular origin or name..
Calle is pronounced like "car ye" not Callie.
Hamming it up!
When street performers go to this much work, you have to pay for a photo!
We're slowly approaching the Palace.
Plaza de la Armería as it exists now was laid-out in 1892, according to a plan by the architect Enrique María Repullés. However, the history of this square dates back to 1553, the year in which Philip II ordered a building to house the royal stables.
Pathways divide the Plaza into three main plots: the Central Gardens, the Cabo Noval Gardens and the Lepanto Gardens. The Central Gardens are arranged in a grid around the central monument to Philip IV, following the Baroque model garden. They consist of seven flowerbeds, each bordered with box hedges and holding small cypress, yew and magnolias and annual flowers.
The Royal Palace of Madrid (Spanish: Palacio Real de Madrid) is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family, but it is only used for state ceremonies. The palace has 135,000 square metres (1,450,000 sq ft) of floor space and contains 3,418 rooms. It is the largest royal palace in Europe by floor area.
The main facade of the Palace, the one facing the Plaza de la Armeria, consists of a two-story rusticated stone base, from which rise Ionic columns on Tuscan pilasters framing the windows of the three main floors. The upper story is hidden behind a cornice which encircles the building and is capped with a large ballustrade. The ballustrade was adorned with a series of statues of saints and kings, but these were relocated elsewhere under the reign of Charles III to give the building a more classical appearance.
The palace is located on the site of a 9th-century Alcázar ("Muslim-era fortress"), near the town of Magerit, constructed as an outpost by Muhammad I of Córdoba and inherited after 1036 by the independent Moorish Taifa of Toledo. After Madrid fell to King Alfonso VI of Castile in 1083, the edifice was only rarely used by the kings of Castile. In 1329, King Alfonso XI of Castile convened the cortes of Madrid for the first time. King Felipe II moved his court to Madrid in 1561.
To visit or not? We chose not. Not trying to sound jaded, but the line was long and we've visited many other palaces before. It became a matter of choice as we saw the cathedral right next door.
The Almudena Cathedral faces the palace across the plaza. Its exterior is neo-classical to match its surroundings while its interior is neo-gothic. Construction was funded by King Alfonso XII to house the remains of his wife Mercedes of Orléans. Construction of the church began in 1878 and concluded in 1992.
The cathedral was consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1993 making it the first cathedral to be consecrated outside of Rome.
Stunning views!
Spanish omelette is the English name for a traditional dish from Spanish cuisine called tortilla española, tortilla de patatas or tortilla de papas. It is an omelette made with eggs and potatoes, sometimes also with onion and/or chives or garlic; fried in oil and often served cold as an appetizer.
Antonio Mingote Barrachina (1919-2012), also simply known as Mingote, was a cartoonist, writer and journalist.
His style is very well known, but something that not everybody knows is that he is the designer of some chiming clocks in Madrid.
Go around Plaza Mayor, in the Calle de la Sal, you can enjoy another clock designed by Mingote and also in the same street you will discover the trampantojos balconies.
Heading back you can see the San Jerónimo el Real is a Roman Catholic church from the early 16th-century located behind the Prado Museum.
The Congress of Deputies (Spanish: Congreso de los Diputados} or Palacio de las Cortes, has a neoclassical style. It was designed by Narciso Pascual Colomer, and built between 1843 and 1850. It sits by the Carrera de San Jerónimo, in Madrid. The relief on the facade by sculptor Ponciano Ponzano centers on a sculpture of Spain embracing the constitutional state, represented by a woman with her arm around a young girl. Surrounding the pair are figures that represent in allegorical form Justice and Peace, Science, Agriculture, Fine Arts, Navigation, Industry, Commerce and so on. Ponzano also executed two bronze lions for the building's access stairway in a more realistic manner.
Back along the Paseo del Prado, through the park and back to the hotel.
Dinner in the hotel.
Not far from Metropolis building (seen yesterday) is a neo-classical building (among all the construction taking place) that stands out because of its red brick facade, which housed Iglesia de las Calatravas (Church of Calatravas).
.
Slightly opposite Iglesia de las Calatravas and located at the corner is an attractive building with an equally couple of quadriga (4 Horse chariot) sculptures to boost. This is a BBVA bank building.
Very reminiscent of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
Gran Vía 28: Edificio Telefónica. Ignacio de Cárdenas Pastor: 1925, 1926-1929
Gran Via 60 Emporis - . Built in 1930 by Emilio Ortiz de Villajos. The statue at the top is a work by sculptor Victorio Macho.
The Madrid-Paris Building is at 32 Gran Vía. It was designed in 1920 by architect Teodoro de Anasagasti Algán and engineer Maximiliano Jacobson, and built from 1922 to 1924. Altered by Anasagasti and Charles Siclis from 1934 to 1935. Since 2015 it houses a Primark store.
Walking by luck instinct we come to the Puerta del Sol.
The Puerta del Sol originated as one of the gates in the city wall that surrounded Madrid in the 15th century. Outside the wall, medieval suburbs began to grow around the Christian Wall of the 12th century. The name of the gate came from the rising sun which decorated the entry, since the gate was oriented to the east.
The Puerta del Sol originated as one of the gates in the city wall that surrounded Madrid in the 15th century. Outside the wall, medieval suburbs began to grow around the Christian Wall of the 12th century. The name of the gate came from the rising sun which decorated the entry, since the gate was oriented to the east.
The first appearance of a wild bear and a strawberry tree on the coat of arms of the city was in the 13th century. Previously, it only incorporated a bear in passant attitude, until it was replaced in the aforementioned century by the two current figures. With this change, they wanted to symbolise the resolution adopted by the municipality and the Chapter of Priests and Beneficiaries after a long litigation about the control of Madrilenian pastures and trees. Since this agreement, the former became property of the Chapter and the latter of the council. From here they modified the arms, including a strawberry tree and of a bear in a new posture: leaning on the tree with both paws.
The famous Tío Pepe lighted sign was above the square's eastern building between the Calle de Alcalá and the Carrera de San Jerónimo (Apple store today) for a long time, now is on top of the former Paris Hotel.
Tío Pepe (named after one of the founders' uncles) is a brand of Sherry. It is best known for its fino style of dry sherry made from the palomino grape. The Tio Pepe brand is owned by the González Byass Sherry house.
The huge sherry bottle – which resembles a human wearing a wide-brimmed Córdoba hat and short bullfighter jacket, and is holding a guitar – was taken down in April 2011 and kept in storage. The building was going to be refurbished and reopened as a hotel, the media first reported; but later it transpired that it would be occupied by an Apple store, and the popular sign would not be returned to its place as promised.
But a popular initiative collected more than 50,000 online signatures to petition authorities to bring Tío Pepe back to Sol, of which it had become an integral part after nearly eight decades.Eventually, the owners of Puerta del Sol, 11 negotiated with the winery from Jerez de la Frontera, and agreed that Tío Pepe would go atop this other building, just 130 meters from its original location.
The huge sherry bottle – which resembles a human wearing a wide-brimmed Córdoba hat and short bullfighter jacket, and is holding a guitar – was taken down in April 2011 and kept in storage. The building was going to be refurbished and reopened as a hotel, the media first reported; but later it transpired that it would be occupied by an Apple store, and the popular sign would not be returned to its place as promised.
But a popular initiative collected more than 50,000 online signatures to petition authorities to bring Tío Pepe back to Sol, of which it had become an integral part after nearly eight decades.Eventually, the owners of Puerta del Sol, 11 negotiated with the winery from Jerez de la Frontera, and agreed that Tío Pepe would go atop this other building, just 130 meters from its original location.
Time for a cafe con leche.
Viandas is a chain of restaurants specializing in (gasp) pork!
Souvenirs
Courtyard beside a church.
Musicians outside the church of San Ginés (Spanish: iglesia de San Ginés de Arlés) is one of the oldest churches in that city. It is situated on the Calle Arenal.
Madrid’s street signs are probably the most artistic, elaborated and colorful of all street signs in a capital city in Europe (if not in the world!). At least those street signs in the older part of the city boast customized tile designs referring to that street’s particular origin or name..
Calle is pronounced like "car ye" not Callie.
Hamming it up!
When street performers go to this much work, you have to pay for a photo!
We're slowly approaching the Palace.
Plaza de la Armería as it exists now was laid-out in 1892, according to a plan by the architect Enrique María Repullés. However, the history of this square dates back to 1553, the year in which Philip II ordered a building to house the royal stables.
Pathways divide the Plaza into three main plots: the Central Gardens, the Cabo Noval Gardens and the Lepanto Gardens. The Central Gardens are arranged in a grid around the central monument to Philip IV, following the Baroque model garden. They consist of seven flowerbeds, each bordered with box hedges and holding small cypress, yew and magnolias and annual flowers.
They are carved from limestone, and are part of a series dedicated to all monarchs of Spain. These were ordered for the decoration of the Palacio Real and were executed between 1750 and 1753. Engineers felt the statues were too heavy for the palace ballustrade, so they were left on ground level where their lack of fine detail is readily apparent. The remainder of the statues are in the Sabatini Gardens.
The Royal Palace of Madrid (Spanish: Palacio Real de Madrid) is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family, but it is only used for state ceremonies. The palace has 135,000 square metres (1,450,000 sq ft) of floor space and contains 3,418 rooms. It is the largest royal palace in Europe by floor area.
The main facade of the Palace, the one facing the Plaza de la Armeria, consists of a two-story rusticated stone base, from which rise Ionic columns on Tuscan pilasters framing the windows of the three main floors. The upper story is hidden behind a cornice which encircles the building and is capped with a large ballustrade. The ballustrade was adorned with a series of statues of saints and kings, but these were relocated elsewhere under the reign of Charles III to give the building a more classical appearance.
The palace is located on the site of a 9th-century Alcázar ("Muslim-era fortress"), near the town of Magerit, constructed as an outpost by Muhammad I of Córdoba and inherited after 1036 by the independent Moorish Taifa of Toledo. After Madrid fell to King Alfonso VI of Castile in 1083, the edifice was only rarely used by the kings of Castile. In 1329, King Alfonso XI of Castile convened the cortes of Madrid for the first time. King Felipe II moved his court to Madrid in 1561.
To visit or not? We chose not. Not trying to sound jaded, but the line was long and we've visited many other palaces before. It became a matter of choice as we saw the cathedral right next door.
The Almudena Cathedral faces the palace across the plaza. Its exterior is neo-classical to match its surroundings while its interior is neo-gothic. Construction was funded by King Alfonso XII to house the remains of his wife Mercedes of Orléans. Construction of the church began in 1878 and concluded in 1992.
The cathedral was consecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1993 making it the first cathedral to be consecrated outside of Rome.
For 6 euros each you gain access to the museum (no photos) and the dome and church. The museum contains religious artefacts that were gorgeous.
After a climb to the dome we were greeted with spectacular views of the palace, city and saints!
While taking this video we could hear a busker below playing Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah.
Stunning views!
There are maps pointing to the various churches in the area.
The church itself will be featured in an upcoming Sunday.
Spanish omelette is the English name for a traditional dish from Spanish cuisine called tortilla española, tortilla de patatas or tortilla de papas. It is an omelette made with eggs and potatoes, sometimes also with onion and/or chives or garlic; fried in oil and often served cold as an appetizer.
OUr first one and John is sold!
Oddly enough, Don Quixote was dining upstairs.
The Plaza Mayor dates back to the 15th century where it was originally called the "Plaza del Arrabal" and was used as the main market of the town. In 1561, the plaza was transferred to the city of Madrid. King Philip II commissioned Classical architect Juan de Herrera to remodel the area. Construction did not begin until Philip III's reign in 1617. Juan Gómez de Mora continued on the architectural renovation, and was finished two years later in 1619.
Today, the Plaza Mayor is rectangular in shape and highlights the uniformity of the architecture. Arches surround the perimeter of the square. 237 balconies are present on the three-story residential buildings that face inward towards the Plaza. To enter or exit The Plaza Mayor, there are ten entrances to choose from, however, there are nine gates. The entrances are named: 7 de Julio, Arco de Triunfo and Felipe III to the North; Sal, Zaragoza and Gerona to the East; Botoneras, Toledo and Cuchilleros to the South; Ciudad Rodrigo to the East.
Oddly enough, Don Quixote was dining upstairs.
The Plaza Mayor dates back to the 15th century where it was originally called the "Plaza del Arrabal" and was used as the main market of the town. In 1561, the plaza was transferred to the city of Madrid. King Philip II commissioned Classical architect Juan de Herrera to remodel the area. Construction did not begin until Philip III's reign in 1617. Juan Gómez de Mora continued on the architectural renovation, and was finished two years later in 1619.
In the center of the square stands the statue of Philip III on a horse, which was placed in 1848. The Plaza Mayor has been the scene of multitudinous events. It has hosted executions in history.
The annual Christmas market was being set up.
Numerous restaurants line the perimeter of the square.
One side of the plaza is under renovation.
Antonio Mingote Barrachina (1919-2012), also simply known as Mingote, was a cartoonist, writer and journalist.
His style is very well known, but something that not everybody knows is that he is the designer of some chiming clocks in Madrid.
Go around Plaza Mayor, in the Calle de la Sal, you can enjoy another clock designed by Mingote and also in the same street you will discover the trampantojos balconies.
Heading back you can see the San Jerónimo el Real is a Roman Catholic church from the early 16th-century located behind the Prado Museum.
The Congress of Deputies (Spanish: Congreso de los Diputados} or Palacio de las Cortes, has a neoclassical style. It was designed by Narciso Pascual Colomer, and built between 1843 and 1850. It sits by the Carrera de San Jerónimo, in Madrid. The relief on the facade by sculptor Ponciano Ponzano centers on a sculpture of Spain embracing the constitutional state, represented by a woman with her arm around a young girl. Surrounding the pair are figures that represent in allegorical form Justice and Peace, Science, Agriculture, Fine Arts, Navigation, Industry, Commerce and so on. Ponzano also executed two bronze lions for the building's access stairway in a more realistic manner.
Back along the Paseo del Prado, through the park and back to the hotel.
Dinner in the hotel.
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