Photo: mytravellinglens.com

Puerta de Alcalá - in the Plaza del la Independencia, designed by Italian architect Francesco Sabatini (1778).

Madrid, Spain

As with our previous trip to Madrid, our apartment had a great central location. Located just off the Puerta del Sol (Gate of the Sun), one of the most famous squares in Madrid, we appreciated the central location. It was only a few blocks to Plaza Mayor. Metro station a few feet from our door. Yes, when booking, it is all about the location.

Puerta del Sol, once a gate to the walled city, named as it faced the east and the morning sun, is now in the centre of the city. Like the Notre Dame in Paris, in Spain, roads from Madrid start at 0 km from this square.

We arrived and were faced with one of the challenges of apartment rentals - how to get in. We were having no luck calling the office on our Canadian phones, so I walked across the square, and at an Orange store purchased a Spanish SIM card. Once in my phone calling was easy and for some reason the person was waiting in our apartment not appreciating that we did not know the apartment number and the challenge to connect. Memo to self: get detailed information on how to connect for access to an apartment rental.

Puerta del Sol

photo: mytravellinglens.com

We arrived in Madrid on May 2, and that is a holiday that follows the May 1st Labour Day, it is to remember the city's defeat over the Napoleon invasion in the 1800s. Our cab dropped us off a few blocks from the Puerta del Sol and we walked down to our apartment. Other than the office number we had no way of contacting the person waiting in our apartment. A Telus roaming fee will allow the phone to work, but dialing a Spanish number from a Canadian phone, you have to get the numbers corerect. A Spanish SIM card from Orange fixed that. The concert - it was exciting, the person waiting in our apartment not evening looking out off the patio to see why we had not walked in, well not so great.

Tio Pepe is an iconic sign in Madrid, it was a Sherry very popular in the 1920s.

Palais Royal

photo: mytravellinglens.com

We visited the Palais Royal on a previous trip to Madrid. It is an official residence of Spain's Royal Family, and although now only used for state ceremonies, no photographs can be taken inside the palace. So rather than walk through the palace again, and it is something to see, I spent time in the gardens. A section of the gardens had rows of massive statues. The statues, in the photo above, were originally placed on the roof of the palace. But the weight of massive statues became an issue. They were removed and placed in the gardens. Easier to enjoy and no worries of a big crash!

Banco de España

photo: mytravellinglens.com

The de España is located on the Paseo del Prado. Inside is not only the Bank of Spain, but an exposition.

Ávila

Photos: G Marcus - mytravellinglens.com

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It was time for a day trip from Madrid. I took the metro to the train station and in a short time was in the medieval town of Ávila. It is a walled town, some refer to it as the town of stones ande saints. The station of course is not in the historic centre, up on a hill, but the cab was quick and reasonable in price.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, it was occupied by the Visigoths, and then conquered by the Moors, and then repopulated in 1088 with the conquest of Raymond of Burgundy. The walls he built remain today.

I was so impressed with the Gothic Cathedral of Ávila. Work started in 1107 and continued during the 12th Century. Sections of the church are made with red-and-whitte (blood) linestone - so there is a very distinctive look to the church. I am a cloister fan, and of course, the church has those too!

There are a number of churches in the townh, and the Basilica of San Vicednte, with its arched exterior gallery is another church to see. It was built in the 12th to 14th Century.

 

 

 Temple of Debod

photo: My Travelling Lens

I  really enjoyed photographing the Temple on our 2015 visit to Madrid andI was looking forward to returning. This year, the ponds that surround the temples, and offer such great reflections, were dry. The Templo de Debod date back more than 2,200 years and honours the gods Amun and Isis. In 1968, the Egyptian government sent every the temples brick by brick to Spain as a thank you for Spain's help to preserve monuments that could have been destroyed by the Aswan Dam. The ancient Egyptian ruins are found in the west side of the city in the Parque del Oeste.

 

photo: mytravellinglens.com/spain

One of Madrid’s most famous streets, Gran Via is home to several historic buildings, theaters, and shops. The main tourist and shopping artery in Madria starting at C/Alcalá and running for 1.3 km to end at the Plaza de España.

 

Parque del Retiro

photo: mytravellinglens.com/spain

Plazza Della Indipendecia, 7

On a Sunday morning I walked over the the Retiro Park. Nothing opens too early in Madrid, and on a Sunday, this seemed like a good time to talk throught the large park and enjoy nature. El Retiro Park–recently named a UNESCO World Heritage Site–is a green oasis in the heart of the city. It can be overwhelming. For part of the walk I had no idea where I was but just kept walking thinking at one point I will come out to a gate. I did, a long way down from my starting point, but enjoyed the walk.

Mercado de San Miguel

photo: mytravellinglens.com 

Oh how much Karen and I enjoyed the Mercado de San Miguel. In 1916 this was a wholesale food market and today is is a gourmet market. The beautiful cast-iron structure is the last remaining iron market hall in Madrid. Enjoy the tapas bars, seafood stalls, artisan bakeries, quality butchers, and an array of booths selling other fresh ingredients.  Open Mon, Tue, Wed, Sun 10am-midnight; Thu-Sat 10am-2am.

Time-Out calls Mercado de San Miguel touristy (sometimes touristy can be okay) and notes other gastro markets to visit. More traditional markets selling only fish or meat have closed, and in their place are veritable restaurants where you can sample traditional Spanish dishes, like the 'tortilla de patata' (potato omelette) at Casa Dani in the Mercado de la Paz or more daring culinary treats from Tripea in the Mercado de Vallehermoso. Los Mostenses, Antón Martín, San Fernando.

The only disssapointment this year was the netting etc inside - restoration work was underway, and hoarding boards etc outside. It did not seem to stop the locals from packing the place. We could not find a seat.

 

Cibeles Palace and Fountain

photo: mytravellinglens.com

A beautiful square in the heart of Madrid, Plaza de Cibeles, is home to several historic buildings. 

In the centre is a marbel fountain, Cibeles Fountain, has become an incomic imkage for the city. This is where Real Madrid celegrate their team victories The team capitain places the Real Madrid flag and scarf on the statue. This year I unfortunately became part of that experience. I was there on the night of a game victory. I was walking towards the plaza, not knowing what would greet me. At one point, I was being carried in the motion of the crowd of thousands. I could not move in any direction I wanted, only to m ove with the flow. The crowd level of excitement was frantic. My only fear, if I fell I do not sense people would even know they were walking on me! Luckily that neve happened and eventually I made it through the crowd and out to an area less crowded.

Madrid’s City Hall (the Ayuntamiento de Madrid) is found along the south side of Cibeles Square. This striking building was once the Palacio de Telecomunicaciones - the city's post office and telephone headquarters. This year I decided to go in and tour the interior of the massive building. It was very interesting. Access to the interior of the building is free. There is a charge to see any of the specific exhibitions taking place.