January was a long month... seemed almost eternal. I have the feeling that we are still in that month, but I just realized we are already writing February with today's date. Well, many things happened during that last month, starting from some changes in the diet. That is the biggest and most significant one. Then a short visit to Madrid. Back to school and lessons. Regular Sunday gigs and new ones that are on the horizon. The neighbour is refurbishing her apartment. Students were testing positive on the virus thing, and me negative. February is just opening its windows to our world, and at the end of it, we will see the sights that the days of this second month have brought to us. Until then, let's go back to that aforementioned Madrid visit that definitely stayed in my heart.
It was still at the beginning of the year and this trip was a wish of my son. He has some valid reasons for being there, so we may go again somewhere in future. Pure joy and vibes were what we got from this excursion. The only drawback of this trip was the length of it: just two days, however, it was not possible to stay longer. Anyway, we had a great time despite the fact that it was cold, which I already mentioned in my first post where we walked a bit together. If you want to take a look, don't hesitate to click the link that will lead you to the streets of Madrid. Or, if you just want to continue reading this one, then it would also make me glad!
The first sightseeing that we will visit today is the Almudena Cathedral. It is so majestic that you can not miss seeing it. This cathedral (in Spanish: Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena) is located in the historic centre of the city. It is very close to the Royal Palace, actually, its main facade faces it. I was surprised by the fact that it was completed just in 1993 when Pope John Paul II consecrated it. Another important date for this cathedral is 22 May 2004, as the Spanish crown prince (now King), Felipe VI and Letizia Ortiz held their marriage on that day at this temple.
The facade of the Almudena Cathedral is interesting and made of different materials brought over here from many parts of Spain. The bases of the columns were made with a dolomitic stone that came from the province of Guadalajara. The facade with white tones and pink veins was made with veined micritic limestone. The main portal, with its two towers, is made of granite. The most impressive detail is maybe the dome. It has Baroque reminiscences on the outside, but from inside it is more Gothic.
Just across from the cathedral we can see The Royal Palace of Madrid. It is the largest of its kind in Western Europe. It occupies more than 135,000 square meters and contains 3,418 rooms. If we would have time, we could visit its interior, as it is open to the public. However, there was a long queue, so we didn't want to spend half of the day just to see the rooms. Still, I would like to do it one day, as it hosts a valuable historical and artistic heritage. There is a set of musical instruments known as the Stradivarius Palatinos, would be nice to see it.
This is the entrance to the Royal Palace, and the queue we didn't want to wait. Just passed by it, and continued to the other side of the Palace. There is a place with so cool views toward the mountains, with snow on the top of them. Despite my several attempts, I couldn't manage to take a photo with those peaks covered with snow.
This is the facade that is facing Armory Square (Plaza de la Armería). That square connects the Almudena Cathedral and The Royal Palace. Here we made a small pause, as our young people were hungry (son and company). I searched in my bag for what I could offer them. One apple, two cereal bars and one orange juice. How small things can make people happy when the stomach is empty. Maybe a lesson for the next time and have a better breakfast before touring in the centre of Madrid.
Not more than a few dozen steps from the main entrance of the palace, there is another square - Plaza de Oriente. The square contains a sculptural collection of twenty Spanish kings, 5 of them Visigoths and fifteen monarchs of the first Christian kingdoms of the Reconquest. We can see three gardens in it and the main Monument, which represents King Felipe IV.
When we cross this square, The Royal Theater is offering itself to the views of the tourists. It was officially inaugurated in 1850. It has a neoclassical appearance, and it came as a result of a reform held in 1884 which altered the original architectural composition. From the two streets on the sides of the main facade of the Royal Theater, we could reach the historical centre of the city.
Our next stop is Plaza de España, which highlights a tall monument dedicated to Miguel de Cervantes. The figures that make up this emblematic monument have a seated Cervantes at the base of the monument. Under the feet of the writer, we can see the statues of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, maybe the two most famous characters of Spanish literature.
Our last stop that day was Plaza Mayor (Town square). It is a major public space in the centre of the city, and it gives place to many small shops and restaurants. Back in time, in the 15th century, it was used as the main market of the town. It was too busy, too crowded and we didn't really like the offer of the food. What I did liked were the red facade and the huge Christmas tree in the square.
Another feature I like in the edges of the historic city centre is the Monumental Gates. There are four main entrances to Madrid, Puerta de Alcala, Puerta de Toledo, Puerta de San Vicente and Puerta de Hierro. I bring here two of them, the first is Puerta de Toledo and the second one is Puerta de San Vicente.
Arriving slowly at the end of our visit to the centre, we passed again by The Royal Palace. It gave a different view; there were some clouds and the sun was lower and hidden but still wanting to show itself. Also, it was windier in the afternoon, and cold indeed starter to pinch our cheeks. Heading back to the warm place to rest, have some more fun and chill and then we said goodbye to Madrid. Until the next time :))
