This morning, for one of the few times, we actually saw the sun rise over the Mediterranean Sea...it was 8:30am in Málaga and we were in a cab on our way to the airport for our flight to Madrid.
It was an easy flight, we arrived at 11:40am and checked into our hotel. After relaxing for a bit we choose to experience a typical Madrid meal called Cocido Madrileño. The guide books all suggest La Bola, but the front desk manager at our hotel said that the hotel's managers all go to Taberna La Cruzada.....we were not disappointed. Cocido is a chickpea based soup that you put in other types of meat, chicken and a few vegetables. It was enough food that neither of us wanted nor needed dinner.
After lunch we walked over and got into the Palacio Real de Madrid, the Royal Place for free as it is free to everyone for the last two hours. It is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family, but it is only used for state ceremonies. King Felipe VI do not live here as they chose to live in the more modest Palacio de la Zarauela on the outskirts of Madrid.
"It is Europe's third greatest palace, after Versailles and Vienna's Schönbrunn. It has arguably the most sumptuous original interior, packed with royal antiques"
"The Palace is the product of many kings over several centuries. Philip II (1527-1598) made a wooden fortress on this site his governing center when he established Madrid as Spain's capital. When that palace burned down, the current structure was built by King Philip V (1683-1746). Today the palace has 2,800 rooms, tons of luxurious tapestries, a king's ransom of chandeliers, frescoes by Tiepolo, priceless porcelain, and bronze leaf decor covered in gold leaf" (is this what drump will do at the casa blanco?) They also have a collection of 5 string Stradivarius instruments which must be worth tens of millions.
The Grand Stairs:
"Gazing up the imposing staircase, you can see that Spain's kings wanted to make a big first impressions" The staircase is filled with interesting artworks. From the landing to the walls to the ceiling. They are all reminders of the power, influence and grandeur of the Spanish monarchy.
The frescoes on the ceiling portrays "Religion Protected by Spain". On the landing, there are two lions made by two different sculptors (Felipe de Castro and Robert Michel). No photo's were allowed once we passed the grand staircase. With so many rooms it is impossible to talk about them all. This link has a number of other frescoes in the Royal Palace.
I also enjoyed the Royal Armory.
Excellent day of travel, food and experiencing the Royal Palace.
Thursday, January 12th
Today we decided to take our time and enjoy the Museo Nacional del Prado (Prado museum). Again no photo's were allowed but we noted a few of our favorite works of art and some of the masterpieces we saw. We focused on Spanish artists;
The Nobleman with his Hand on his Chest
The Three Graces
Jacob's Dream (I liked this one)
Las Meninas (we both found this one fascinating)
The Immaculate Conception (Is she making a heart with her hands)
The 3rd of May 1808 (this one is impactful)
The Naked Maja by Goya (the next painting was with clothes)
The Family of Carlos IV by Goya (mocking the royal family)
Saturn devouring his Child by Goya (Black painting period)
The Mancorbo Canal in the Picos of Europa
And The Still Say Fish are Expensive by Sorolla
Boys on the Beach by Sorolla ( he is our favorite Valencian artist)
Christ carrying the Cross (El Greco's images are to elongated)
The Holy Trinity (El Greco)
The Adoration of Shepard (El Greco)
The Surrender of Breda
Queen Isabella dictating her Last Will and Testament
We also saw the Exhibit of Clara Peeters
In the lobby I took this photo of the Defence of Zaragoza
We came across Casa Mira, founded in 1855...delicious sweets!
Beth spotted a rooftop bar above Puerta del Sol on the top of the El Corte Ingles....so we had a drink and enjoyed the sunset.
These are all photos of Puerta del Sol
Statue of Charles III in Puerta del Sol
Tonight we met Enrique and Teresa Steensma and their 3 children, Teresa, Maria and Juan. We ate at the restaurant they own called El Apartment del No 5. We met Maria when she lived in California with our niece Katherine. Katherine has stayed with the Steensma in Madrid as part of an exchange program through Sacred Heart High School. Lovely meal, wonderful family and so nice to be with Madrileño's.
Friday, January 13th
Today we started off with a breakfast of Churros with chocolate at San Gines Chocolatería, established in 1894.
From here we took the Metro and walked around the Salamanca area. The barrio of Salamanca is Madrid's most exclusive quarter. Like nowhere else in the capital, this is where stately mansions set back from the street share barrio space with designer boutiques from the big local and international fashionistas, just Beth's kind of place.
After enjoying this ares we ate at Lateral Castellana 42, we had a number of different pinchos and they were delicious.
We then walked over to visit the Sorolla Museum, our favorite Valencian artist! The building was originally Sorolla's house. The principle rooms continue to be furnished as they were during his life including his large and well lit studio, where the walls are filled with his canvasses, we loved it!
This is what it looks like inside
Where Sorolla worked
Some of the paintings we like
Some of the tile around his home
We capped the day off by going to Teatro Real, regarded as one of the most important cultural institutions in Spain along with the Museo Nacional del Prado and the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Renia Sofía. It has quite an interesting history, opening in 1850 closing in 1925 and then reopening in 1997!
We saw El Cosario ballet de Ópera by Wiener Staatsballett's
An excellent Friday the 13th!
Saturday, January 14th
We started off the morning by visiting Mercado de San Miguel. It is a cute little Mercado, we had breakfast here.
We then walked over to the Plaza Mayor. This place has quite a history. The square was originally planned by Felipe III, but was inaugurated in 1620 during Felipe III reign (his statue sits proud in the center of the square). It has burned down three times. Over the years, the square has had many different names. Located at the confluence of the paths towards Toledo and Atocha, it was originally the site of the "Plaza del Arrabal" market and thus took this name before later becoming the Plaza Mayor. Since then it has been called the Plaza de la Constitucíon, Plaza Real and Plaza de la República before returning to the now famous Plaza Mayor named at the end of the Spanish Civil. Public executions, crowning ceremonies, bullfights, Inquisition trials and diverse fiestas have all taken place here.
We relaxed and enjoyed a beer and just people watched as we thought about the history of this plaza.
Felipe III Statue in Plaza Mayor
We then walked down Calle de las Huertas to the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia.
Teatro Calderon
Some of the art we liked at the Reina Sofia
Joan Miro
A poster I liked from Valenica 1968
Our main focus in the Reina Sofia was to see the original Pablo Picasso - Guernica. When we went to Pamplona for the RUnning of the Bulls in July we visited the town of Guernica and seeing this just reminds us of the importance of Peace vs War!
For our last dinner in Madrid we wanted to try a taco place we heard about called Takos al Pastor. I read that their is usually a line and a 15 minute wait and that was true this evening. BUT it was well worth it 1 euro tacos ll outstanding and good tamales, the quesadilla's had a bit too much cheese but we so enjoyed having excellent tacos!
Sunday, January 15th
We walked over to see the Temple of Debod in the Parque del Oeste.
Afterwards we went over the the Steensma apartment for drinks, and to chat again before we took the AVE train back to Valencia. They are such nice people, we really enjoyed our time with them.
BTW we left Madrid from the famous Atohca train station. You may remember this is the train station which was bombed on 11 March, 2004.
This is a Rick Steven's YouTube video on Madrid for anyone who may be going to Madrid.
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