Madrid!

We have just spent the last 6 days in Madrid. What can be said about this wonderful city that hasn't been said before?

A lot of these photos of buildings were taken from the top of a tourist bus as we travelled the two routes to get an overview of the city.

Because there are two bus routes, and in some places they go along the same streets maybe in opposite directions, you may recognise the same buildings or features of the buildings in various photos.

However, we have chosen these pictures which we feel give an overall impression of the wonderful architecture which is in abundance.

When we set off on the first bus tour, the sky was slightly overcast. When we were less than half way round, the cloud thinned and we had sunshine and blue sky for virtually the remainder of our stay over the next few days.

It is not our intention to label each and every photo - we just hope you enjoy looking at them.

The bear and the strawberry tree, "El Oso y el Madroño", is the heraldic symbol of Madrid and this 20 ton bronze statue is in the Puerta del Sol, The Gate of the Sun, right in the centre of the city and which is where road distances to the city are measured from. The tree is not, as many people believe, an apple tree. The only apple around here is the Apple Store which is 50 metres away.

The symbol, which has been around since the 13th century, also appears in the pavement. Although bears would be a common feature in this area as well as strawberry trees we were told that the 7 stars were taken from the constellation of the Great Bear.

We also travelled from the city centre north to see the modern areas of the city and here you see the Puerta de Europa.

We thought these towers were leaning rather dangerously so we decided they needed some support.

On the way we passed the Real Madrid football stadium.

Back in the centre we noticed the Cervantes centre which is presumably where the Spanish language course we have been undertaking for the last 5 years originates.

The building above is in the Plaza de Cibeles which for many sums up the city of Madrid with it's wonderful architecture and space although this is somewhat spoilt by the traffic.

The Puerta de Alcalá.

The photo above was taken looking through one of the 5 arches of the Puerta de Alcalá to the sunset behind the buildings.

The photo above and the 3 below are from our visit to the Parque del Buen Retiro, the Park of the Pleasant Retreat, which is one of the largest parks in Madrid.

In the park is the monument to Alphonso XII...

...and that's a statue of him on his horse which adorns the top of the monument.

At night the buildings are lit and appear even more spectacular.

The Plaza Mayor in the photo above, is currently being refurbished. 

The statue in the centre of the Plaza Mayor is of Felipe III.

Inside a cafe/bar in the Plaza Mayor where it is decorated in true Spanish style.

The Casa and Torre de los Lujanes in the Plaza de la Villa to the west of the centre of Madrid are among the oldest buildings in the city dating back to the 15th century

In the Plaza is the statue of Alvaro de Bazan. He was the Spanish Admiral who was in charge of the infamous Armada of 1588 that attempted to overrun England.

This statue of Felipe IV is very rare because the horse is rearing - quite a feat of engineering!

Above is the centre piece of the balustrade of the Royal Palace, Palacio Real de Madrid, which has the largest floor space of any palace in Europe. The statues which did decorate it were removed after the building shook during a distant earthquake in the 18th century.

Above is a view of the Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena.

The restaurant above is the oldest in the world. It opened in 1725 and has operated ever since.It even has the original 18th century firewood oven.

The Mercado de San Miguel, St Michael's Market, sells every type of tapas known to mankind.

Time for lunch with our friend Sara from England who was visiting us in Spain and came to Madrid with us.

Above is the Monument to the Fallen for Spain on the 2nd May, 1808, Monumento a los Caídos por España. It was re-inaugurated by King Juan Carlos in 1985 as a memorial for all those who gave their lives fighting for the country and a flame burns constantly at the front.

Another day we visited the Prado Museum, Museo Nacional del Prado, above and saw many wonderful paintings by famous artists such as Diego Velázquez whose statue is outside...

...and then it was time for lunch.

Another great experience!