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Tourist Guide to Madrid, Spain with Maps main sites etc.
Citation preview
Mad
ridSp
ain
P O R T U G A L
F R A N C E
U N I T E D K I N G D O M
M O R O C C O
A L G E R I A
Madrid
Paris
London
Lisbon
CeutaMelilla
Cantabrian Sea
S P A I N
Mediterranean Sea
Atlantic Ocean
I R E L A N D
Dublin
ROM
ANZANARES
H
H
P
H
P
P
P
P
P
PP
P
P
P
P
P
P
PP
P
P
P
P
P
P
PP
P
PP
P
P
P
Pi
P
P
PP
i
i
PlazaOlavide
C. ELOY
GONZALO
CALLEFUENCARRAL
Carde
nalCisne
rosP
alafox
B. M
UR
ILLO
Juan
de
Austria
Calle de Viriato
GRAL. MARTINEZ CAMPOSP.
Calle Rafael Calvo
C.
SA
NTA
EN
GR
AC
I A
Gta. deRubn DarioPASEO EDUARDO DATO
C. JennerC. Gral. Arrando
Gta. deEmilio Castelar
C. Caracas
Calle Zurbarnde
CAL L
E
DEA
LMA
GR
O
C. F. El Santo
PA
SE
OD
EL
AC
AS
TE
LL
AN
A
C A L L E D I E G O D E L E N
C. del Gral. Ora
Calle Maldonado
C . D E J U A N B R AV O
Callede Padilla
Calle
Eraso
Plaza deRoma
C.
D E
FRA
NC
I S CO
SI LV
EL A
Calle deLondresAV
DA. DE LOS TOREROS
Calle
Martn
ezIzqu
ierdo
Pza. de TorMonumen
C. Ramn AguC. M
. de
Zafra
C A L L ED E
G O YA
C AL L E
D E
A LC A
L
Av. Felipe IICalle Jorge Juan
C. Duque de Sesto
Hermosillade
Calle
C A L L E J O S O R T E G A Y G A S S E TCalle Don Ramn de la Cruz
Calle
Monte
sa
Calle de Ayala
Porli
er
Da
zG
ral.
Calle
PE
A
LVE
RC
ON
DE
DE
CA
LL
E
CalleDoctor Castelo
Calle Menorca
D E I B I Z AC A L L E
Calle
Maiq
uez
A L C A L D E S A I N Z
D E B A R A N D A
C. Doce de Octubre
C.Lo
pede
Rueda
Antonio Casero
C A L L EO
D O N N E L L
D E
Balb
oa
deN
ez
deCa
lle
Cast
ell
deCa
lle
VE
RG
AR
AD
EP
R N
CI P
ED
EL
CA
LL
E
Jardines delDescubrimiento
BibliotecaNacional
Recoletos
C. AlmirantePrimC.
Palacio deJusticia
Plazade Coln
PA
SE
OD
ER
EC
OL E
TO
S
Calle
delB
arq
uillo
Gravina
C.
Augusto FigueroaC.
San MarcosCalle
deHo
rtalez
a
Plaza deLa Cibeles
Pl. de laIndependencia
Pl. dela Lealtad
Pl. Cnovasdel Castillo
Carrera San Jernimo
Calle
C A LL E
D EA L C A L
Plazadel Callao G R A N
V APlaza de Sto.
Domingo
C. de
Preciados
C.
de
la M
onte
ra
C. del
Arenal
Calle
Mayor
Ayuntamiento
San Isidro
SEGOVIACALLE
PlazaIsabel II
BA
I LN
DE
CA
LL
E
PA S EO
DE L
P I NTO
R
ROSA L E S
CUESTAS. V
ICENT
E
Vent
ura
Rodr
guez
C.
L.Fe
rnan
daRey F
ranc
isco
Calle
Calle
Cond
e
Duqu
e
CruzSanta
Calle
C . D E A L B E R T O A G U I L E R A C. CARRANZA
Pl. Dosde Mayo
C. M
. Malasaa
C. Divino Pastor
Calle de la PalmaC. San
Vicente FerrerC.
Espritu Santo
Calle
deA
maniel
CA
L L E
DE
L A
PR
I NC
ES
A
Calle Melndez Valds
Calle Rodriguez San Pedro
C. Fernando El Catlico
Fdez. de los Ros
Calle
Valle
herm
oso
Calle
Gazt
am
bide
Calle
A.M
ella
do
C.G
uzm
nEl
Bueno
C.Bl
asc
oG
ara
yde
Calle
Galile
o Magallanes
Calle
BE
RN
AR
DO
CA
LL
E
SA
N
C.
DE SAGASTAC
.
DEGNOVA
Sta. Teresa
Meja
Lequerica
C.Barce
l
Calle
deF
uenca
rral
G R A N
V ACa
lleSilv
a
Tudes
cos de
lBa
rco
Calle
Valv
erd
e
Leganitos
CALL
E
LUCH
ANA
Manuel
SilvelaC
ovarrubias
DE
CA
LL
E
SE
RR
AN
OCa
lleCl
audi
oCo
ello
VE
L Z
QU
EZ
DE
CA
LL
ECa
llede
Laga
sca
Pard
ias
Gra
l.Ca
lle
Calle
Alc
nta
ra
GlorietaConde
de CasalPuente del Mediterrneo
Pl. Virgen dela Estrella
Sirio
Calle Lira
C. Astros
Calle
Cruz
del
Sur
Calle del P
ez
Volad
or
C.
Samara
Av.de
Nazaret
C. A.
Bien
venida
Po Baroja
C.Re
yes
Mag
os
C.
Conde de
CartagenaPl. Marianode Cavia
Po.
del
Uruguay
C. Poeta Esteban Villegas
REINACRISTIN
A
Po.CALLE
CAVANILLES
C.Ju
an
de
Urbie
ta
Calle
Granada
Calle
de
Abtao
AVENIDA DEL
MEDITERRNEO
AVE
NI D
A
ME
NN
DE
Z
PE
LA
YO
Y
CA
L LE
DE
LD
OC
TO
RE
SQ
UE
RD
OC
AL
LE
DE
LD
OC
TO
RE
SQ
UE
RD
O
C. de
la Cru
z
Plaza deSanta Ana
PlazaAntn Martn
C. de Moratn
C. de CervantesC
. de las Huertas
C. Lope de Vega
CALLE
DE
ATOCHA
Pl. Tirsode Molina
Plaza deLavapis
C.
de
Zurita
Calle
Lavapis
Mesn
de
Paredes
C.
C.
de
Em
bajadores
Rib
era
de
Curtid
ore
s
Calle
Toled
o
ParqueAtenas
Gran
Vade San FranciscoSEGOVIA
RONDA
GlorietaPuerta de Toledo
CALL
ETO
LEDO
Po. de
los O
lmos
PASEO
IMPERIAL
PASEO
PONTO
NES
Gl i t
R O N D A D E T O L E D O
illa
PA SE O
D E L A S
A C AC I A
S
Glorietade Embajadores
Calle E
rcillaM
artn de
Vargas
C. Laurel
Gta Sta M
EMBAJADORES
Calle Tarragona
Palos FronteraC.
de la
C.de
Sebastin Elc
anoRDA.
VALENCIA
RDA.ATOC
HA
Vizcaya
STA.
MARA
DE
LA
CABE
ZA
Calle Canarias
Calle ncora
MurciaC.
C.
DE
LAS
DEL
ICIA
S
C.
MNDEZ
LVARO
ARGUMOSA
C. DEC
. de
Valencia
C.Av
eM
ara C
.
de
SantaIsabel
C. MoyanoPl. del
EmperadorCarlos VPASEO
INFANTAISABEL
AVENIDACIUDAD
DEBARCELONA C
.
Adelf
asC.
Pajari
tos
PR
AD
OD
EL
PA
SE
O
Iglesia delos Jernimos
Po. de Venezu
ela
Po.
del
Ecuador
Po.
Duq
ue
de
Fern
n
Nue
z
Po.
Bolivi
a
CA
LL
ED
EA
LF
ON
SO
XI I
CALLE
Museo Sorolla
Plaza deOriente
Campodel Moro
Plaza deEspaa
Parque dela Montaa
Templo de Debod
Bolsa
Casn delBuen Retiro
FarmaciaH. Corts
C.San
Mateo
C. Ben
eficen
cia
Pl. deS. Ildefonso
TesoroCalle
C.
del
Pez
Jess
del Va
lle
Mina
sCa
lle
Made
ra
R. Len
Reyes
Bernardino
San
BrgidaSta.
C.
Baja
S. Pa
bloC. de
laLuna
C.
Desengao
Balle
sta
C.
Noviciado
C.
Alta
de
S.
Pabl
o
Red deSan Luis
Pl. delCarmen
Calle
del Carm
en
Caballero de
GraciaC. JardinesMisericordia
JacometrezoC.
de
la Bola
Plaza deS. Miguel
Postas
C. Bolsa
Pontejos
Carretas
Esp
oz
y
Min
a
Sevil
la
Zorrilla
Reina
C. de la
Calle de las Infantas
Barb
ieri
C.
de
Pelay
o
PiamonteC.
Pl. delas Salesas
C.
Cast
aos
Calle
Arge
nsola
Calle de los Madrazo
C. d
e E
cheg
aray
C. del Pra
do
C.
delP
rncip
e
Calle
Len
C. Sta
. Mara
Puertade Atocha
Ministeriode Agricultura
C. GobernadorC. Almadn
Alam
eda
Calle
J.
Fu
car
C. del D
r.
Four
quet
S. Ildefonso
Dr.
Mat
a
C.
Hosp
ital
C. de
Salitr
e
C.
Buen
avista
Dr. Piga
Tres PecesCalle
Amparo
del
Duquede Alb
a
C. Colegiata
PlazaHumilladero
Cava B
aja
Cava A
lta
C. San
taAn
a
C. H
umilladero
C. de Segovia
Sacramento
Vergara
Amnista
Santiago
C.de
laPasa
Graf
alC. V.
Guev
ara
Rela
tore
s
Encomien
da
Abades
JuaneloRuda
Pl. deCascorro
Sombrer
ete
C. del C
asino
Callede M
ira el
SolC. R
odas
C.Trib
ulete
C.
Migu
el Se
rvet
Jess y Mara
Calvario
S. Carlos
C.del Carnero
C.
Arniches
Reloj
C. Fom
ento
Plaza de laArmera
Avda.
de Sneca
Paseode
Ruperto
Chap
Parque delOeste
Ministeriodel Aire
P. de
Cam
oens y
Valero
C. del Mar
qus
de Urquijo
C. del B
uen Su
ceso
Calle de
Altamira
no
C. de Be
nito
Gutierre
z
Calle de
Romero
Robledo
Paseo d
e Moret
Calle
de
Ferraz
Quintan
a
Calle
de
Vctor
Pradera
C.
de
M.
delos
Heros
Calle
del
Tutor
Calle de
Rosaleda
Avda.
de
Valladolid
Paseo de
S. Antonio
de la
Florida
Museo de GoyaPlaza de San Antonio
de la Florida
Calle
de
Aniceto
Marinas
Puente del Rey
Ribera
del
Manzanares
Cmte. ForteaPaseodel
Marqusde
Monistrol
Pase
oM
arqu
sde
Mon
istro
l
Avenida
de Port
ugal
Estanque
Casade
Campo
P.
Bajo
de la
Virg
en d
el P
uerto
Pase
o
dela
Virg
en
del
Puerto
P. Infanta M Teresa
Jardinesde Sabatini
DE
Paseo
ExtremaduraPl. Puertadel ngel
Callede Antonio
Zamora
Callede Doa
Urraca
Callede Doa B
erenguela
Calledel Cardena
l Mendoza
Callede Juan T
ornero
Calle
Cara
mue
l
Fuen
teove
juna
Daimiel
S. Galo
S. Rufo
Pl. FranciscoMorano
Ave
nid
ade
lM
anza
nare
s
Pase
ode
laEr
mita
del
Santo
C. de Manzanares
C. Moreno Nieto
Fsforo
Pizarra
C.Li
nn
eo
Calle
Jua
nD
uqu
e
dePa
seo
los
Mel
anc
licos
MrmolSta
.Casilda
PlazaOrtega Munilla
C. A
rganzuela
C.
Palo
ma
C.
del
guila
C. S.
Francisco
C. Re
dond
illa
C. ngel
Concep. Jernima
C. MagdalenaC. Cabeza
PlazaSta. Cruz
PlazaHerradores
Estacin dePrncipe Po
Calle
Hila
rin
Esla
va
Gta. deSan Vicente
Baslica deAtocha
Viaducto
M
- 30
MuseoArqueolgico
Iglesia deCovadonga
GAZTAMBIDE
TRAFALGAR
ALMAGRO
CASTELLANA
LISTA
GUINDALERA
GOYA
SALAMANCA
RETIRO
JUSTICIA
UNIVERSIDAD
PALACIOCENTRO
EMBAJADORES
CORTES
PALOS DEMOGUER
RETIRO
ATOCHA
PACFICO
ADELFA
NIO JESS
ESTRELLA
VA
IBIZA
FUENTEDEL
BERRO
ACACIAS
ARGELLES
CASA DE CAMPO
PUERTA DEL NGEL
IMPERIAL
ACACIAS
MADRIDMADRID
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METROMETRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
METRO
DIEGO DE LEN
VENTAS
MANUEL BECERRA
GOYA
PRNCIPEDE VERGARA
RETIRO
SERRANO
COLN
CHUECA
TRIBUNAL
BILBAO
ALONSO MARTNEZ
IGLESIA
RUBN DARO
NUEZ DE BALBOA
ODONNELL
IBIZA
SINZ DE BARANDA
CONDEDE CASAL
PACFICO
MENNDEZ PELAYO
PALOS DE LA FRONTERA
ATOCHA
ACACIAS
EMBAJADORES
PUERTATOLEDO
LATINA
TIRSODE MOLINA
ANTN MARTN
SOL
SEVILLA
BANCO DEESPAA
CALLAOSANTO
DOMINGO
PERA
PLAZA DEESPAA
VENTURARODRGUEZ
NOVICIADO
ARGELLESSAN BERNARDO
QUEVEDO
METRO
GRAN VA
METRO
MONCLOA
METRO
PRNCIPEPO
METRO LAGO
METRO
PUERTADEL NGEL
21
4356
7 8
91011
1213
1415
16
18
1921
22
2324
25 2627
28
29
30
31
32
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35
3637
38
3940
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5657
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63 64
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20
17
N
CARTOGRAFA: GCAR, S.L. Cardenal Silceo, 35Tel. 914167341 - 28002 MADRID - AO 1999
0 100 200 300 400 500 m
A LA CORUA 609 Km
A TOLEDO 71 KmN-401
N-VI
A CDIZ 663 Km
A VALENCIA 352 Km
N-IV
N-III
A TA
LAVE
RA
DE
LA R
EIN
A 92
Km
N -V
A ZARAG
OZA
325 KmN
-IIAL
ZO
O Y
PARQ
UE D
E ATR
ACCI
ONES
Indexof Madrid
1
2 . . . . . . . . . . Introduction4 . . . . . . . . . . How to get to Madrid6 . . . . . . . . . . Where to stay6 . . . . . . . . . . Useful tips7 . . . . . . . . . . Getting around the city8 . . . . . . . . . . Itineraries in the city
27 . . . . . . . . . . Museums and Art Centers31 . . . . . . . . . . Art Exhibitions 33 . . . . . . . . . . Art Galleries and Antique Shops34 . . . . . . . . . . Cultural Activities and Events35 . . . . . . . . . . Parks and Gardens36 . . . . . . . . . . Food and Drink37 . . . . . . . . . . Shopping38 . . . . . . . . . . Nightlife39 . . . . . . . . . . Festivals and Celebrations40 . . . . . . . . . . Addresses of general interest40 . . . . . . . . . . Post Office40 . . . . . . . . . . Telephones40 . . . . . . . . . . Emergency Services41 . . . . . . . . . . Excursions from Madrid45 . . . . . . . . . . Tourist information46 . . . . . . . . . . Map of the province48 . . . . . . . . . . City map
2The capital of Spain, located in the heart of thepeninsula and right in the center of the Castillianplain 646 meters above sea level, has apopulation of over three million. A cosmopolitancity, a business center, headquarters for thePublic Administration, Government, SpanishParliament and the home of the Spanish RoyalFamily, Madrid also plays a major role in boththe banking and industrial sectors. Most industryis located on the southern fringe of the city, whereimportant textile, food and metal workingfactories are clustered. Madrid is characterizedby intense cultural and artistic activity and avery lively nightlife.
The grand metropolis of Madrid can trace itsorigins to the times of Arab Emir Mohamed I(852886), who ordered the construction of afortress on the left bank of the Manzanares River.It later became the subject of a dispute betweenthe Christians and Arabs until it was conqueredby Alfonso VI in the 11th century. At the end of
M A D R I D
3the 17th century, a defensive wall was built forthe protection of the new outlying areas, tracingthe roads of Segovia, Toledo and Valencia.During the 18th century, under the reign ofCarlos III, the great arteries of the city weredesigned, such as the Paseo de la Castellana,Paseo de Recoletos, Paseo del Prado and Paseode Acacias. At the beginning of the 19thcentury, Joseph Bonaparte undertook the reformof the Puerta del Sol and vicinity. Thecommercial street known as the Gran Va wasbuilt as an eastwest avenue at the start of thecentury. In the 1950s the northsouth boul-evard called Paseo de la Castellana wasextended and modern buildings were erectedhousing the major financial institutions. Whatremains today of the distant past are mainly theBaroque and neoclassical structures of the 17thand 18th centuries, such as the Plaza Mayor(Main Square), the Palacio Real (Royal Palace)and others which will be described later duringour tours of the city.
4By Plane Daily flights connectMadrids Barajas Airport and the leading cities ofEurope and the rest of the world. Daily flights are also available to other major Spanish cities. Shuttle service runs between Madrid andBarcelona with regulardepartures between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. Barajas Airport is 13kilometers from the city.Regular bus service isavailable from the airport tothe underground bus terminalat the Plaza de Coln withvarious intermediate stops.Iberia Airlines Information andReservations: 902 400 500.Barajas Airport Information. 902 35 35 70and 91 305 83 46.Information on buses to airportdeparting from Plaza deColn. 91 431 61 92.
By train Chamartin Station. Located inthe northern part of the city.Trains leave for the Spanish citiesof Albacete, Alicante, Barcelona,Bilbao, Cdiz, CartagenaCrdoba, Irn, Mlaga,Santander, Seville, Soria andZaragoza as well as France.Chamartin Station. Calle Agustn de Fox. 902 24 02 02.
Atocha Station. Located inthe southern part of the city.Trains serve the regions ofAndalusia and Extremaduraas well as Portugal. This isthe departure and arrivalpoint for the high speed traincalled AVE and where youcatch the local trains to thesuburbs and outlying areas. Itis connected to the ChamartinStation by an undergroundtrain. The AVE or high speed traincovers the distance betweenMadrid and Seville in twohours and a half withintermediate stops in the citiesof Crdoba and Ciudad Real.
How to get to Madrid
5RENFE is the name of theSpanish National RailwayConsortium. Renfe Information and ticketreservations. Atocha Station. Avenida Ciudad de Barcelona. 902 24 02 02.
By RoadThe main roads connectingMadrid to the rest of Spain,France and Portugal are:
N-I: Madrid Burgos Irn French border. N-II: Madrid Zaragoza Barcelona La Junquera French border; N-II highwayfrom Madrid to Zaragoza, A-2 highway, from Zaragozato Barcelona and A-7 highwayfrom Barcelona to the Frenchborder. N-III: Madrid Valencia Alicante. N-IV: Madrid CrdobaSeville Cdiz. N-V: Madrid Badajoz Portuguese border. N-VI: Madrid A Corua(Galicia). N-401: Madrid Toledo.
Teleruta. 900 12 35 05.
Estacin Sur de Autobuses(Bus Station). Destinations:Albacete, Algeciras, Alicante,vila, Barcelona, Benidorm,Cartagena, A Corua, Gijn,Lugo, Murcia, Oviedo,Santiago de Compostela,Segovia, Toledo, Zaragozaand International. CalleMndez lvaro. Information: 91 468 42 00.
Estacin de la Sepulvedana(Bus Station). Destination: Segovia. Paseo de la Florida, 11. Information: 91 430 48 00.
Estacin de Auto Res(Bus Station).Destinations: Badajoz,Cceres, Castelln, Cuenca,Salamanca, Valencia, Vigoand Zamora.Plaza Conde de Cassal, 6.Information: 91 551 72 00 902 19 29 39.
Estacin Avenida de Amrica. 91 745 63 00
6 Madrid has over 50,000 beds available for visitors, 24,000 ofthem are in five and four star establishments (ratings range from1 to 5 stars). Apartments have 6,000 beds available.
Central reservation service for Paradors.Requena, 3. 28013 Madrid. www.parador.es 91 516 66 66. Fax: 91 516 66 57.Parador de Chinchn. Avd. del Generalsimo, 1. 91 894 08 36, Fax 91 894 09 08.
During the midwinter months daytime temperatures in Madridmay drop to 7 Centigrade (45 F). During the months of July andAugust temperatures are hot. Madrid enjoys a large number ofsunny days.
Banking hours for the public are generally from 8:30 a.m. to2:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. On Saturday banking hours are thesame from October to April. Banks close on Saturdays from Maythrough September.
Where to stay
Useful tips
Metro The Metro is the fastest way ofgetting around the city. The systemconsists of 11 different lines. Open from 6 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.Single journey fares are 135 pesetas.Information: Metro de Madrid 91 522 59 09.
Bus The bus system covers the entirecity and outlying areas. Servicefrom 6 a.m. to midnight.Information EMT: 91 406 88 10.METROBUS is the new urban transitreduced rate ticket valid for 10 tripson either the Metro or city bus. Itcan be purchased at Metro stations,tobocconist shops (estancos) and
Municipal Transport Company (EMT)booths located at some bus stops.
TaxisRadio-Taxi: 91 447 51 80.Radio-Taxi independiente: 91 371 21 31.Tele-Taxi: 91 445 90 08.Radio-Telfono Taxi: 91 547 82 00. Special taxi servicefor the physically impaired: 91 547 82 00 and 91 547 86 00.
Local trains Some train stations are connectedat Metro stations. For moreinformation call 902 24 02 02.
Getting around the city
7
Horario de servicio de 6:00 de la maana 1:30 de la madrugadaEste plano es una gentileza del Consorcio Regional de Transportes de Madrid
7
9
7
P
P
P
P
P
Campo delas Naciones
Metro
EDICIN ENERO 1998Begoa
Tirso de MolinaAntn Martn
AtochaAtocha Renfe
MenndezPelayo
Puente de VallecasNueva Numancia
PortazgoBuenos Aires
Alto del Arenal
Callao
Sol
LavapisEmbajadores
Delicias
Palos dela Frontera
RepblicaArgentinaGuzmnel Bueno
Metropolitano
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8The map of Madrid shows three distinct areas in the center of thecity. In the old part, the streets are narrow and winding andbuilding construction is dense. Farther out, the streets becomewider and straighter and finally, the outskirts are characterized bya boom of new construction during the 20th century.There are two main arteries in the city: the Gran Va and thePaseo de la Castellana. The Gran Va, commenced at thebeginning of the century, is the site of numerous cinemas andplaces of amusement. The more modern Paseo de la Castellana isthe headquarters of many of the large banks, as well as luxuryoffice buildings and business complexes.
Itineraries in the city
Retiro Park. Crystal Palace
91. From MedievalMadrid to Madridof the AustriasWe start our tour at the PlazaMayor (1) (Main Square),which takes its name at thestart of the 16th century. Juande Herrera was commissionedto remodel the old square ofArrabal, but constructionwasnt begun until 1617 underthe direction of Juan Gmezde Mora by order of Felipe III.
Inaugurated in 1620, thislarge rectangular, stone-
paved plaza with its groundfloor arcades, underwent itslast remodeling in 1853 byJuan de Villanueva.
Until the last century, thePlaza Mayor served as amarketplace on weekdaysand was the scene of popular events from bullfights to publicannouncement of sentencesduring the Inquisition,religious processions, publicexecutions and dance andtheater festivals. Beneath thearcades, you can find anassortment of shops that sell
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fabrics, costume jewelry andsouvenirs, along with outdoorcafs, taverns and bakeries.Some of the shops are one ofa kind. On Sunday morningsa stamp market is heldbeneath the arches, andduring the Christmas holidaysnumerous stalls offer all typesof Christmas decorations for sale.
The most striking building inthe Plaza Mayor is the Casade la Panadera (2) (BakeryHouse), with its colorfulfrescoadorned faade. Onthe opposite side of thesquare is the Casa de laCarnicera (3); this formerbutcher shop now housesMunicipal offices. In the centerof the plaza is the equestrianstatue of Felipe III by theItalian Juan de Bolonia.
Leaving through the easternexit of the Plaza Mayor, inthe Plaza de la Provincia, wefind the Palacio de Santa Cruz(4), current site of theMinisterio de AsuntosExteriores (Ministry of ForeignAffairs), a handsome buildingconstructed as seat of theCourts, according to theproject by Juan Gmez deMora between 1629-1643.
Returning to the Plaza Mayor,cross the Plaza diagonally andtake Calle Ciudad Rodrigo tothe Plaza de San Miguel,where the market known as theMercado de San Miguel (5)can be seen supporting its roofwith airy iron columns. Nowproceed along the CalleMayor until reaching the Plazade la Villa (6) (Town Square).Here we find the Casa de laVilla designed by Juan Gmezde Mora in 1640 to house theTown Council and jail. TheCasa de Cisneros (7) (CisnerosHouse), a reconstructionundertaken at the beginning ofthe 20th century of the 16thcentury Plateresque palace, isentered from the CalleSacramento. Returning to thePlaza, we see themudejarstyle (a mixture ofMoorish and Christian) Palacio& Torre de Lujanes (8) (LujanPalace and Tower), built in the15th century.
Plaza de la Villa. Cisneros House
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The narrow Calle del Codotakes us to the Plaza delConde de Miranda where weencounter the Convento de lasCarboneras (9) (Convent of theCarboneras) built in 1607,which houses a collection ofinteresting paintings. Theadjoining back streets make upthe framework of what wasonce a Medieval townsprinkled with convents andpalaces. On emerging fromthe convent, continue downthe street to the Calle SanJusto. Here we find the Basilicade San Miguel (10), (St. Michaels Basilica) aBaroque 18th century buildingdesigned with an interestingcurved faade. To the right ofthe basilica is a tiny gatedpassageway called Pasadizodel Panecillo where we canglimpse the Baroque faade ofthe Palacio Arzobispal (11)(Archbishops Palace). Nowfollow the Calle del DoctorLetamendi to the CalleSegovia, cross over and takeTravesa del Nuncio up toCalle Nuncio to the Iglesia deSan Pedro el Viejo (12)(Church of St. Peter the Old),built in the 15th century with a14th century mudejar towererected over the minaret of aformer mosque. The CallePrincipe Anglona will take usto the medieval Plaza de laPaja where we encounter the
Capilla del Obispo (13)(Bishops Chapel), the onlyGothic temple in Madrid. Thealtarpiece and Plateresquedoors are of great artisticvalue. Go around the rightside to the Plaza de LosCarros where we find theBaroque Capilla de San Isidro(14) (Chapel of St. Isidro), andalso the Plaza de San Andrs,where the Baroque Iglesia deSan Andrs (15) (St. AndrewsChurch) is also located. TheChapel of St. Isidro is nowaccessed through the Church.From the Plaza delHumilladero, we take the CalleCava Baja, a street where oldshops and restaurants evokeall the flavor of Old Madrid.After several minutes, wecome to the Plaza de PuertaCerrada, then proceed alongthe Calle de Cuchilleros,bustling with tascas (pubs) andmesones (old-style taverns).Soon we see the stepsleading up to the archway ofArco de Cuchilleros (16)which take us back to thePlaza Mayor or we canproceed on the Cava de SanMiguel, accompanied by anarray of Mesones, on up tothe Calle Ciudad Rodrigo,returning to the Plaza Mayorat our departure point.
Start of Itinerary I: PlazaMayor. Metro: Sol.
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2. Teatro Real,Puerta del Sol andAlcal
Our tour begins at the TeatroReal (17) built by QueenIsabel II and remodeled andinaugurated in 1997 as theopera house. Nearby is thePlaza de la Encarnacin,which is linked to the Plaza deOriente, where the 17thcentury Monasterio de laEncarnacin (18) (Monasteryof the Incarnation) is found.The handsome old convent
houses a collection of relics.You can visit the formerenclosure which now houses amuseum with interesting worksof the 16th, 17th and 18thcenturies. Down the Calle dela Encarnacin to the right ofthe church, we reach the Plazade la Marina Espaola, wherewe find the Palacio del Senado(19) (Senate Palace), built atthe end of the 16th century fora community of Agustinianfriars and recently remodeled.It is now the seat of the Spanish Senate. To the left andadjoining the Senate building
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is the Palacio del Marqus deGrimaldi (20), (Palace of theMarquis of Grimaldi), the workof Sabatini in 1776. On theCalle Torija, we find theConvento de las Reparadoras(21) (Convent of theReparadoras), designed byVentura Rodriguez in 1782 forthe purpose of installing theCourt of the Inquisition; thechurch dates from the 19thcentury.
From here we continue alongthe Calle Torrija until wereach the Plaza de SantoDomingo. Then take the CalleVeneras where the authorRubn Daro lived. Proceedon the Calle de Trujillos andturn left at the Travesa deTrujillos which runs into thePlaza de las Descalzas,where we find the 16thcentury Monasterio de las
Descalzas Reales (22)(Monastery of the RoyalBarefoot Franciscans). It wasthe former home of the womenof Royal Families who uponentering the nunnery broughtwith them valuable dowries inworks of art, which haveformed the collection that wecan now admire.
The Puerta del Sol (23)(Gateway to the Sun) wasonce a 15th century defensivebulwark, part of a wall whichenclosed the town of Madridlimiting it from the populatedoutskirts. The former Casa deCorreos (24) (Post Office) wasbuilt in 1768 under thedirection of French architectMarquet. It is crowned by atower with a clock on its foursides; the most famoustimepiece in Madrid. At thestroke of midnight onDecember 31st, madrileos(the inhabitants of Madrid)usher in the New Year to thechimes of its bell. On theground in front of the building,there is a marker indicatingKilometer zero from which allthe countrys road distancesare measured, and all Spanishroads radiate from here aswell as the numbers of thestreets. Three historic statuesadorn the plaza: one ofVenus, a replica of an original
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Monastery of La Encarnacin
in the Museo Municipal(Municipal Museum) called laMariblanca; another calledthe Oso y el Madroo (bearand berry tree) made of stoneand bronze in 1967 andwhich displays the emblem ofthe city; the third statue is ofKing Carlos III.
On the left at number 3 onthe Calle Alcal, we find theMinisterio de Hacienda (25)(Ministry of Finance), aformer Customs House andgood example of Baroqueclassicism, designed bySabatini with a doorway byPedro Ribera. At number 12we find the head office of theBanco Espaol de Crdito(Spanish Credit Bank), built in1882-1891 according to aproject designed by JosGrases. The Real Academia
de Bellas Artes de SanFernando (26) (Academy ofFine Arts of San Fernando) islocated at number 13. Thisbuilding was the design of Jos Benito de Churriguera in 1775 and was built as a palace forthe Goyeneche family by Diego de Villanueva andremodeled by Chueca Goitia in 1974. Its art gallery housespriceless treasures including16th and 17th century worksby the Spanish School.
The Iglesia de las Calatravas(27) (Church of theCalatravas) is found atnumber 25. It is a Baroquetemple remodeled in the 19thcentury by Juan Madrozo,who incorporated someneorenaissance elements. ItsBaroque dome and highaltarpiece warrant a visit. TheIglesia de San Jos (28) (St.Josephs Church) at number43 was built between 1730and 1742 by Pedro Ribera.Before we reach the Plaza deCibeles, we find the Crculode Bellas Artes (29) (Fine ArtsCircle) built in 1926 byAntonio Palacios andcurrently the site of one of themost dynamic institutions inthe cultural life of the city.
Start of Itinerary 2: TeatroReal. Metro: Opera.
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Calle Alcal
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3. From thePuerta de Toledoto the Parque delOesteOur itinerary begins in apopular area. The Puerta deToledo (30) (Toledo Archway)is located in the old quarterof Madrid called La Latina,which preserves thetraditional flavor of the oldpart of the city. The archwaywas a project of King JosBonaparte and was builtbetween 1817 and 1827.
The Calle Gran Va de SanFrancisco takes us to theBasilica de San Francisco elGrande (31) (Basilica of St.Francis the Great); a project by Francisco Cabezasdating from 1761 andfinished by Sabatini at therequest of Carlos III in 1776.Prestigious painters such asGoya were commissioned todecorate the interior. There isan interesting art gallery inthe cloister. Next to thebasilica, we find the Capilladel Cristo de la VenerableOrden Tercera (Chapel of
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Christ of the Third VenerableOrder); a 16th centuryBaroque structure with anoteworthy baldachin overthe central altar.
Continuing along the CalleBailn, we find on our left LasVistillas, a small wooded parkwhich provides a wonderfulview of the western part ofthe city with the Casa deCampo park in thebackground an ideal placeto enjoy the sunset from oneof the terraces of the localbars. A little farther on, wecross the impressive Viaductover the Calle Segovia builtin 1934. Without leaving theCalle Bailn, passing theViaduct, we arrive at theintersection of the CalleMayor, and find the formerPalacio de los Duques deUceda (32) (Palace of theDuke of Uceda) built in 1611,present site of the Madriddistrict Military Headquartersand the State Council.
The Palacio de Oriente,usually called the PalacioReal (33) (Royal Palace) wasconstructed on the site of a
Moorish fortress, destroyedby fire in 1734. The firststone was placed in 1737and the Italian architects JuanBautista Sacchetti andFrancisco Sabatini werecommissioned for itsconstruction. Opposite themain faade facing towardsthe south, is the Plaza de laArmera (Royal ArmorySquare). Circling the palace,we gain access to a lovelypark, the Jardines deSabatini (Sabatini Gardens)and the sloping enclosedgardens known as the Campodel Moro. Adjoining thePalace is La AlmudenaCathedral (34).
The Real Armera (RoyalArmory) and the Real Oficinade Farmacia (RoyalPharmacy) and Museo deCarruajes (CarriageMuseum) may also bevisited. The Royal Palace isnot currently used as a royalresidence but is used forstate receptions.
Start of Itinerary 3: Puerta deToledo. Metro: Puerta deToledo.
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4. Plaza de Cibeles,Puerta de Alcal andParque del Retiro
The fountain in the Plaza deCibeles (35), surrounded bysome of the citys mostimportant monuments, hasbecome an important symbolof Madrid.
On the northwest corner ofthe Calle Alcal, half hiddenby shrubbery, we have aview of the Cuartel Generaldel Ejrcito (36) (Military
Headquarters), formerly theBuenavista Palace built in1769. Across the street, wefind the Palacio de Linares(Palace of Linares), presentlythe Casa de Amrica (37)(House of the AmericasCulture Center), aneobaroque structure finishedin 1878. On the southeastcorner is the immenseneoclassical-style Palacio deComunicaciones (38) (mainPost Office) with its ornatestone walls, started in 1905by architects Otamendi andPalacios.
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Next to it, at Paseo del Pradonumber 5, we find the MuseoNaval (39) (Naval Museum)which displays interestingdocuments and relics alongwith ancient and modernmodel-ships of the SpanishNavy. The plaza is roundedout with the head office of theBanco de Espaa (40) (Bankof Spain) standing imposinglyon the southwest corner. Started in 1891, it reflectsneorenaissance tendencies.Continuing along the CalleAlcal, we reach the impressive Puerta de Alcal (41) (AlcalGateway) in the Plaza de laIndependencia, which used to be the gateway to the city by the Aragn road. It wasdesigned by the Italian architect Francisco Sabatini in 1778.
Nearby on the CalleMontalbn, we encounter theMuseo de Artes Decorativas(42) (Decorative Arts Museum).On Calle Mndez Nuez, theMuseo del Ejrcito (43) (ArmyMuseum) and on Calle FelipeIV, the Real Academia Real dela Lengua (44) (RoyalAcademy of the SpanishLanguage) can be found.
There are several entrances tothe Parque del Retiro (45)(Retiro Park): Calle AlfonsoXII, Calle Alcal, Plaza de laIndependencia and AvenidaMenndez Pelayo. What weknow today as the Retiro Parkonce formed part of thegardens, palaces anddwellings constructed for royaluse by order of Felipe IV,inaugurated in the fall of1632. Inside the park, we canadmire the Palacio de Cristal(46) (Crystal Palace), a largegreenhouse made out of ironand glass and the Palacio deVelzquez (47) (VelzquezPalace), both built at the endof the 19th century andcurrently used for exhibitions.
Start of Itinerary 4: Plaza ofCibeles. Metro: Banco deEspaa.
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Cibeles Fountain and Post Office in the background
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5. The Art Tourand Carrera deSan JernimoOur tour begins at the Palaciode Villahermosa (VillahermosaPalace), converted into theMuseo ThyssenBornemisza(48). The museum building is a17th century neoclassicalpalace, remodeled at thebeginning of the 19th centuryand adapted by Rafael Moneoin 1992 to house thisoutstanding collection ofwestern art.
Continuing along what wasformerly the front of thepalace on the Carrera de SanJernimo, we arrive at thePalacio del Congreso (49),seat of the Spanish Parliamentin the Plaza de las Cortes. Itwas finished in 1850 underthe direction of NarcisoPascual y Colomer.Corinthian columns support aneoclassical pediment.
On the opposite side of thestreet, we find the PalaceHotel, built in 1912. Nearby
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at Calle Cervantes number11, we see the Casa-Museode Lope de Vega (50) (House-Museum of Lope de Vega),close to the homes whereother renowned Spanishauthors, including Cervantes,Quevedo and Gngora, lived.At Calle Lope de Veganumber 18, we find aninteresting structure, the Iglesia& Convento de Las Trinitarias(51) (Church and Convent of
the Trinitarians) dating fromthe 17th century. Thealtarpieces and carvings areworth visiting. We now turnback in the direction of thePaseo del Prado to find theFuente de Neptuno (52)(Neptune Fountain) with astatue of Neptune standing ona chariot wielding a trident.The design was the work ofVentura Rodrguez as was theCibeles fountain; the sculptor
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Prado Museum
21
was Juan Pascual Mena in1780. On the semicircularPlaza de la Lealtad is anotherof Madrids finest hotels, theRitz Hotel, installed in aunique structure built in 1910.The Museo del Prado (53)(Prado Museum) is located ina neoclassical buildingdesigned by the architectJuan de Villanueva in 1785and originally planned as aMuseum of Natural History. Ithas been an art museumsince 1818. Its floor plan isformed by a rectangle withtwo square structures attachedat each end. The rotundacovered by a dome whichlights the vestibule deservesspecial mention, and in thecenter we can view a bronzesculpture of Carlos V byPompeyo Leoni.
The Prado Museum housesthe most important collectionof Spanish painting up untilthe 19th century. In it we canadmire masterpieces byVelzquez, Goya, Murillo,Ribera and Zubarn, amongothers. In addition, it alsocontains a magnificentcollection of Flemish andItalian art.
Continuing on the Paseo delPrado, we arrive at theJardin Botnico (54)(Botanical Garden) whichcurrently organizes exhibitson botanical and relatedsubjects. A variety of rare plants and trees canbe seen.
The Museo Nacional Centrode Arte Reina Sofia (55)(Queen Sofia Art Center) is acultural center located on theCalle Santa Isabel in aformer neoclassical-stylehospital renovated in the1980s to house the museum. Spanishcontemporary art, as well as temporary exhibitions,may be seen here. It alsohouses the treasures of theformer SpanishContemporary Art Museumand is the showcase of thefamous painting Guernica by Picasso. It also contains a largelibrary.
Start of Itinerary 5: Museo deThyssen-Bornemisza.Metro: Banco de Espaa.
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6. From the GranVa to the Plaza de Espaa andsurrounding areas
Gran Va (56), one of themain arteries in Madrid, wasconceived at the turn of thecentury and finished in 1952when the last building sitewas occupied. An assortmentof structures with ornatefaades, large cornices,colonnades and balconiesdominate the eastern end.
Rising imposingly at theintersection of the Gran Vaand Calle Alcal, where we begin our tour, we findthe Metrpolis building.Farther down on the rightside of the street, we see theMuseo Chicote (ChicoteMuseum), a charming littlebarmuseum; meeting place of artists andbullfighters of yesteryear. On the parallel street ofCaballero de Gracia(accessed through CalleClavel or the Plaza Red de
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San Luis), we find theOratorio del Caballero deGracia (57), (Oratory ofCaballero de Gracia), built atthe end of the 18th century, aliving example of the elegantneoclassical style by Juan deVillanueva. In the lovelyinterior, the paintings on thevault deserve special mention.
On the Gran Va, near thePlaza Red de San Luis, wefind the headquarters of theTelefnica (58)(SpainsNational Telephone Co.), the first skyscraper in Madrid built in 1929 by the North Americanarchitect Weeks. A littlefarther along, we come tothe Plaza de Callao, usuallybustling with pedestrians andcars and surrounded bycinemas and departmentstores and shops. Oppositethe Plaza, we see the Palaciode la Prensa, which was builtin 1928 under thearchitectural influence of theChicago School. A littlefurther on the left, weencounter the Carrinbuilding, site of the Capitolcinema, built between 1931and 1934 following theGerman School of
Mendelsohn. It is a goodexample of 1930sarchitecture. Our walkcontinues downhill betweenstructures which blend bothEuropean and Americantrends with traditionalarchitecture.
Separating the Gran Va fromthe Calle Princesa is the hugePlaza de Espaa, noted fortwo exceptional buildings ofthe 1950s: the EdificioEspaa and the Torre deMadrid, both from projectsdesigned by the Otamendibrothers.
On the side street of CalleSan Leonardo by the EdificioEspaa, we find the Iglesiade San Marcos (59) (Church
Calle Gran Va
of St. Marks), the work ofVentura Rodrguez, finishedin 1753 and declared anational monument in 1944.It is one of the lovelieststructures of Madrid Baroque.Taking a short detour fromthe Calle Princesa at CalleVentura Rodrguez number17, is the Museo Cerralbo
(60) (Cerralbo Museum), astately 19th century mansionwhich contains noteworthyfurniture and art treasures.Retracing our steps to theCalle Princesa, we encounterat number 20 the Palacio deLiria (61) (Palace of Liria),palatial residence of theDuchess of Alba. It wascompleted by VenturaRodrguez in 1780. Backingup to the rear part of thepalace on the Calle CondeDuque, we find the Cuartelde Conde Duque (62) builtfrom the design by PedroRibera in 1720. This Baroquestructure now housesmunicipal offices, includingexhibition halls, and libraries.During the summer, thecourtyard is the site ofconcerts and evening events.
Start of Itinerary 6: thebeginning of the Gran Va.Metro: Banco de Espaa andGran Va.
Plaza de Espaa. Torre de Madrid
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7. Other areasand places ofinterest. Salamanca districtFrom the Puerta de Alcaltowards the north, extending up the CalleSerrano and encompassingthe adjacent streets, there isan elegant, statelyneighborhood which wasone of the areas of growth inthe city during the 19thcentury. The gridlike designof this district was the
initiative of the Marquis ofSalamanca. Many of themansions and structureserected during the pastcentury have given way toother taller ones, but thedistrict has retained much ofits former grandeur. Today itis an area of intense andselect commercial activity,where a large number of theart galleries in Madrid areconcentrated, along withnumerous prestigious shopsselling fashions, accessories,jewelry and furniture.
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Start of Itinerary 7: Plaza dela Independencia. Metro:Retiro.
. Madrid of Dos de Mayo(Second of May)This is a large area stretchingbetween the Glorieta deBilbao and Glorieta deAlonso Martnez and whichborders on the Gran Va andCalle San Bernardo. It is alsoa busy area where old cafs,bars, discotheques and othernighttime diversions abound.Interesting Baroque churches,such as San Antonio de losAlemanes on the CalleCorredera Baja de SanPablo, the MuseoMunicipal (63) (MunicipalMuseum) on the CalleFuencarral, the MuseoRomntico (64) (Museum ofthe Romantic Period) on the
Calle San Mateo, along withthe nooks and corners, evokethe 1808 uprising in Madridagainst Napoleons troops,immortalized by Goya.
Start of Itinerary: Glorieta de Bilbao. Metro:Bilbao.
. Puente de Segovia (65)(Segovia Bridge). This is theoldest bridge in the city whichspans the Manzanares river,situated at the end of theCalle Segovia. It was built byJuan de Herrera at the end ofthe 16th century. It deserves avisit if only to enjoy the viewof the Royal Palace andgardens.
Start of Itinerary: Bridge ofSegovia. Metro: Puerta delAngel.
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Municipal Museum
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MUSEO DEL PRADO(Prado Museum)Located in an 18th buildingdesigned by Juan deVillanueva, the Prado isconsidered one of the mostimportant art galleries inthe world. It housesmasterpieces by Velzquez,Goya, El Greco, Zurbarn,Ribera, Ribalta, Titian,Raphael, Botticelli, FraAnglico, Rubens, Bosch,Van der Weyden, Poussin,Lorrain, Watteau,Rembrandt, Drer andMengs, among others.Paseo del Prado. Metro: Bancode Espaa & Atocha. Open: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed: Monday. 91 330 28 00.
MUSEO THYSSEN-BORNEMISZA (Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum)This museum houses asplendid collection rangingfrom primitive Flemish tocontemporary works. Morethan 800 paintings andsculptures, carvings,tapestries and other itemsare displayed.Villahermosa Palace, Paseo delPrado, 8. Metro: Banco de Espaa.
Museums and Art Centers
Open: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed:Monday. 91 420 39 44 & 91 369 01 51.
MUSEO NACIONALCENTRO DE ARTEREINA SOFIA (Reina SofaCulture Center)A cultural center containinga permanent collection ofSpanish contemporary artand offering a wide varietyof temporary exhibitionscovering diverse modernartistic disciplines such aspainting, sculpture, video,photography, films, etc.Calle Santa Isabel, 52. Metro: Atocha. Open: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to2:30 p.m. Closed: Tuesday. 91 467 50 62.
MUSEO CERRALBO(Cerralbo Museum)A private collectionincluding archeologicalartifacts, porcelains,tapestries and paintingsfrom different periods.Calle Ventura Rodrguez, 17.Metro: Plaza de Espaa &Ventura Rodrguez. Open: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Closed: Monday and holidays. 91 547 36 46.
MUSEO LAZAROGALDIANO (LazaroGaldiano Museum)A treasure of paintings,clocks, furniture, jewelry,gold, silver, ivory andenamel objects from aprivate collection.Calle Serrano, 122. Metro: Nuez de Balboa. Open: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed: Monday and in August. 91 561 60 84.
MUSEO SOROLLA(Sorolla Museum)Former home and studio ofthe famous painter, thismuseum contains a goodpart of his work as well aspaintings by his friends.Paseo General MartnezCampos, 37. Metro: RubnDaro & Gregorio Maran. Open: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Closed: Monday. 91 310 15 84.
MUSEO ARQUEOLGICONACIONAL (NationalArcheological Museum)Museum containingarcheological treasuresfrom excavations throughoutSpain. Also displays oldcoins and ceramics fromdifferent eras.Calle Serrano, 13. Metro: Serrano. Open: 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.;Sunday and holidays 9:30 a.m.
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to 2:30 p.m. Closed: Monday. 91 577 79 12 & 91 577 79 20.
MUSEO DE LA REALACADEMIA DE BELLASARTES DE SANFERNANDO(Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando Museum)Paintings from the 16ththrough 19th centurySpanish School areexhibited. Flemish,German, French andItalian Schools are alsorepresented. Displays ofsculpture and porcelain.Calle Alcal 13. Metro: Sol.Open: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.;Saturday, Sunday and Monday 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 91 522 14 91.
MONASTERIO DE LASDESCALZAS REALES(Monastery of the RoyalBarefoot Franciscans)Frescos adorn ceilings andwalls of this convent.Priceless collection ofpaintings, tapestries,religious imagery, relics andother objects.Plaza de las Descalzas Reales, 3. Metro: Sol, Opera & Callao.Open: 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.and 4 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.; Friday10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.;Sunday and holidays 11 a.m. to1:30 p.m. Closed: Monday. 91 542 00 59.
MONASTERIO DE LAENCARNACION (Monastery of the Incarnation)Decorated in the 17thcentury by artists of theroyal court. Religiouspainting and sculpture fromthe 16th to 18th centuries.Plaza de la Encarnacin, 1. Metro: Opera. Open: Wednesdayand Saturday 10:30 a.m. to12:30 p.m. and 4 to 5:30 p.m.;Sunday 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 91 542 00 59.
CASON DEL BUENRETIRO (Buen RetiroMuseum)Collection of Spanishpainting and sculpturefrom the 19th century.Calle Felipe IV, 13. Metro: Retiro. Open: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday 9a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed: Monday. 91 330 28 00.
PALACIO REAL (Royal Palace)The Palace displaysfurniture, decorations,tapestries, sculpture andother works of art in themany rooms and hallsformerly inhabited bySpanish kings since themiddle of the 18th century.Calle Bailn. Metro: Opera. Open: October to March 9 a.m.to 5 p.m.; Sunday and holidays9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April toSeptember 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.;Sunday and holidays 9 a.m.
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to 3 p.m. Closed when officialacts are held. 91 542 00 59.
MUSEO DE AMERICA(Museum of the Americas)This museum featuresAmerican archeology andethnology collections fromprehistoric to modern times.Avenida Reyes Catlicos, 6.Metro: Moncloa. Open: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.;Sunday and holidays 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Closed Monday. 91 549 26 41.
FUNDACION DE LA CASADE ALBA (House of AlbaFoundation)The Palacio de Liria houses a collection of art belonging to the Duchess of Alba.Great masters such as Goya, Zurbarn, Renoirand Titian can be admired.Palacio de Liria, Calle Princesa, 20.Metro: Plaza de Espaa, Ventura Rodrguez & Arguelles. Visits by appointment only. 91 547 53 02.
MUSEO DE LA CIUDAD(City Museum)Different aspects of the city,engravings, photographs,urban planning projects,infrastructure, publicservices and customs ofMadrid are on display.Calle Prncipe de Vergara, 142.Metro: Cruz de Rayo.
Open: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Closed: Monday. 91 588 65 99.
MUSEO DEL EJERCITO(Military Museum)Over 27,000 artifactsincluding weapons, uniforms,documents, flags, paintingand sculpture tracing thehistory of the Spanishmilitary are on display.Calle Mndez Nez, 1.Metro: Retiro & Banco deEspaa. Open: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed: Monday. 91 522 89 77.
MUSEO NACIONAL DEARTES DECORATIVAS(National Museum ofDecorative Arts)Furniture and decorativeitems from the 15th to the19th centuries may be seen.Calle Montalbn, 12. Metro: Retiro. Open: 9:30 a.m.to 3 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. Closed: Monday. 91 532 68 45.
MUSEO ROMANTICO(Museum of the RomanticPeriod)A museum in a mansiondisplaying furniture,paintings and other worksof art of the 19th century,including a portrait ofLarra and the gun that put
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an end to his life. Paintingscharacteristic of theRomantic period areexhibited.Calle San Mateo, 13. Metro: Tribunal. Open: 9 a.m. to3 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Closed: Monday and in August. 91 448 10 71.
PANTEON DE GOYA(Goyas Pantheon)Small chapel where theworld famous painterFrancisco de Goya isburied; the dome waspainted by Goya in 1798.Paseo de San Antonio de laFlorida, 5. Metro: Norte. Open: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday andSunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Closed: Monday and holidays. 91 542 07 22.
MUSEO MUNICIPAL(Municipal Museum)Located in a former hospicebuilt by Pedro de Ribera,this museum is a goodexample of civil Baroquearchitecture in Madrid. Thehistory of Madrid isdisplayed in assorteddocuments and works of art.Calle Fuencarral, 78. Metro: Tribunal. Open:9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdayand Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.;August 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.Closed: Monday and holidays. 91 588 86 72.
In addition to the museums mentioned, there are other lesswell-known ones which are also of interest. There are alsonumerous centers, galleries and institutions wheretemporary art exhibitions and shows are held. Informationon these schedules is published in the daily newspapers andalso in the Gua del Ocio, a weekly publication on sale atthe local newsstand.
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Centro Cultural de la Villa (City Cultural Center)
Plaza de Coln. Metro: Coln.Open: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.;Sunday and holidays 10 a.m. to2 p.m. Closed: Monday. 91 575 60 80.
Crculo de Bellas Artes (Fine Arts Circle)
Calle Alcal, 42. Metro: Sevilla & Banco de Espaa.Open: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.;Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and5 to 9 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to2 p.m. Closed: Monday. 91 360 54 00.
Fundacin Juan March (Juan March Foundation)
Calle Castell, 77. Metro: Nez de Balboa.Open: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and5:30 to 9 p.m.; Sunday andholidays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 91 435 42 40.
Art Exhibitions
Fundacin la Caixa (La Caixa Foundation)
Calle Serrano, 60.Metro: Serrano.Open: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.;Sunday and holidays 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Closed: Tuesday. 91 426 02 02.
Fundacin Banco CentralHispano (Central Hispano BankFoundation)
Calle Marqus de Villamagna, 3.Metro: Coln.Open: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5to 9 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to2:30 p.m. Closed: Monday. 91 575 14 30.
Fundacin Cultural MAPFRE(MAPFRE Cultural Foundation)
Calle General Pern, 40.Metro: Santiago Bernabu.Open: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundayand holidays 12 to 8 p.m. Closed:Sunday, holidays and in August. 91 581 14 10.
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Centro Cultural Conde Duque(Conde Duque Cultural Center)
Calle Conde Duque, 11.Metro: San Bernardo.Open: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and5:30 to 9 p.m.; Sunday 10:30a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed: Monday. 91 588 58 34.
Palacio de Velzquez (Velzquez Palace)
Retiro Park. Metro: Retiro.Open: Winter 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.;Summer 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.Closed: Tuesday. 91 573 62 45.
Centro Mesoneros Romanos
Plaza Mayor. Casa de laPanadera. Metro: Sol. Open: 11a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to9 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday andholidays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 91 588 23 87.
Sorolla Museum
There are more than 140 artgalleries located mainly inthe vicinity of the CalleBarquillo, and in the Districtof Salamanca along thestreets of Serrano, Jorge Juanand Claudio Coello andnear the Centro de Arte deReina Sofia. In February theInternational ContemporaryArt Fair called ARCO is heldin Madrid, which is the mostimportant art exhibition ofthe year. More than twohundred galleries andexhibitors from around theworld show and sell theirworks. It is considered oneof the three most importantart fairs in the world.Antique Shops are locatedmainly in various areasincluding the Rastro (FleaMarket) and on the adjacent
streets, as well as on andaround the streets of JorgeJuan, Claudio Coello andVelzquez. On Calle Lagascaan Antique Center can befound. There are alsopossibilities for antiqueshopping along the streets ofthe Prado, Santa Catalina andin the Mercado Puerta deToledo. Antique Fairs: Feriade la Almoneda (end of May)Feriarte (end of November).In Madrid, numerous auctionsof antiques and artistic objectsare held, organized by bothSpanish and internationalfirms. Auctions also take placeat Monte de Piedad, an insti-tution founded in 1724.
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Art Galleries andAntique Shops
Music Teatro Real (OperaHouse). Plaza deOriente. Metro: pera. 91 516 06 60. Auditorio Nacional de Msica (National Concert Hall). Calle Prncipe de Vergara, 146.Metro: Cruz de Rayo. 91 337 01 00. Teatro Lrico Nacional de la Zarzuela (National LyricalTheater). Spanish light opera from October to December. CalleJovellanos, 4. Metro: Banco de Espaa. 91 524 54 00. Central Cultural de la Villa de Madrid. (City Cultural Center).Plaza de Coln. Metro: Coln. 91 575 60 80. Fundacin Juan March.Calle Castell, 77. Metro: Nez de Balboa. 91 435 42 40.
Theater Crculo de Bellas Artes. Calle Marqus de Casa Riera, 2.Metro: Banco de Espaa. 91 360 54 00 Teatro de la Comedia. Compaa Nacional de Teatro Clsico.Calle Prncipe, 14 91 521 49 31. Metro: Sevilla. Teatro Mara Guerrero. Centro Dramtico Nacional. Calle Tamayo y Baus, 4. 91 319 47 69. Metro Coln.The main events of the year are the Festival de Otoo (AutumnFestival), the Festival de Teatro Iberoamericano (Iberian-AmericanTheater Festival) and Los Veranos de la Villa (Summer festival).
CinemaThere is a concentration of cinemas along the streets of GranVa and Fuencarral. Films in their original language can be seenin the theaters near the Plaza de Espaa and in the PlazaJacinto Benavente. La Filmoteca Nacional (National Film Library)shows films in their original version with Spanish subtitles orsimultaneous translations.Calle Santa Isabel, 3. Metro: Antn Martn. 91 369 11 25.
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Cultural Activities and Events
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Campo is a large park withan area of about 4000 acres.Rowboats can be rented fora ride around the artificiallake. Swimming and tenniscan also be enjoyed. TheParque Zoolgico or Zooand Parque de Atracciones,a large amusement park, arefound in the southern part.Metro: Lago and Batan. A cable car can be takenfrom Paseo de PintorRosales.
Parque Quinta Fuentedel Berro
A small, quiet parkcrisscrossed by pavedpathways and dotted withfountains and flower beds.Metro: Ventas.
Parque del Oeste
A park in the western partof the city bordering thePaseo del Pintor Rosaleswhich has a lovely rosegarden and variousmonuments. The Telefricoor cable car to the Casa deCampo departs here.Metro: Argelles andMoncloa.
Parque del Retiro
The Retiro Park was builtin the 17th century byorder of Felipe IV as arecreational area forroyalty. It occupies 350acres of land and boastsmore than 15,000 trees andimportant monumentsamong the lovely gardens.Plaza de la Independencia.Metro: Retiro, Ibiza andMenndez Pelayo.
Jardn Botnico
Created by Carlos III in1774, the royal botanicalgarden boasts numerousvarieties of trees andplants. Neoclassical gates,doors and formergreenhouse designed byJuan de Villanueva mayalso be admired.Plaza de Murillo, 2. Metro:Atocha. Hours 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. 91 420 30 17.
Casa de Campo
Located on the right bank ofthe Manzanares River to thewest of Madrid, the Casa de
Parks and Gardens
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Madrid is a melting pot for thecuisines from all over thepeninsula. Gourmets sometimesargue whether Madrid cuisineexists or not, but the truth is that the capital of Spain hasenriched its gastronomy withthe contributions of theAndalusians, Galicians,Asturians and other immigrantswho have settled here.
A good number of dishes andrecipes can be named howeverwhich can be consideredtypical of Madrid. Amongthem, the cocido madrileomust be mentioned; a stewcombining chickpeas withvegetables (cabbage, celery,carrots, turnips and potatoes)and chicken, beef and porkand which is turned into a hugesucculent meal. Callos or tripeis another of the typical dishesidentified with local cuisine andmay be found in some of thewellknown restaurants inMadrid. We must not neglectthe humble and savory sopa deajo (garlic soup), caracoles(snails), tortilla de patatas(potato omelet), the famousrecipe of besugo al horno(baked bream), so typical in thecapital in spite of its distancefrom the ocean, or dishes inwhich bacalao (cod) is themain ingredient. Madrids
sweet tradition can beappreciated through itsdesserts; from torrijas (a type ofFrench toast), typical in thespringtime and linked to HolyWeek, to the barquillos (rolledwafers), bartolillos con crema(a type of small pie withcustard) the buuelos (a type offritter filled with custard,whipped cream, etc.) inNovember, the mazapn(marzipan)and turrn (soft andhard nougat) at Christmas andthe rosquillas de ans (anise-flavored doughnuts) during thefestival of San Isidro.
In Madrid, as well as in therest of Spain, the tapa(savory tidbits of a variety ofdishes served as appetizers)is an old gastronomictradition. You can findnumerous establishmentsspecialized in serving thesetapas. Ir de tapeo (goingout for tapas) is a tradition;hundreds of bars scatteredthroughout the streets ofMadrid serve a tapaaccompanied by a smallglass of wine or beer.
Food and Drink
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Shopping
- Concentrated in and aroundthe Plaza Mayor are anassortment of shops sellingtraditional articles such asespadrilles, fabrics, ropes,hats and religious articles.- Fashions for men, womenand children and Spanishand international designerstake up shop around thestreets of Almirante andConde de Xiquena, as well asin the district of Salamancawhich concentrates the bestshops for jewelry, shoes,leather goods, furniture, gifts, etc.- Large department stores arelocated in the vicinity of thePuerta del Sol, and on thestreets of Princesa, Goya andCastellana.- Openair markets. TheRastro is the most famous ofthe flea markets which opens
on Saturdays and Sundaysbetween the Plaza deCascorro, La Latina and thestreet of Embajadores.Everything imaginable can befound here from valuableantiques to used clothing,including collector cards,books, records, paintings, etc.- Feria del Libro de Madrid.This book fair is held in theRetiro park at the end of Mayand beginning of June andbrings together the mostimportant publishers inMadrid.- Feria del Libro Antiguo y deOcasin. This book fair forold and used books is heldon the Paseo de Recoletos atthe beginning of May.- Feria del Libro sobreMadrid. This book fair held inMay features books aboutMadrid. Plaza de Isabel II.
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Nightlife
Nightowls will find Madrid aparadise every night of theweek. Visitors must keep inmind the late dining hours;restaurants do not even openuntil eight or nine oclock.Many night establishmentsare open until the earlymorning hours.
In the vicinity of the Plazade Santa Brbara, theGlorieta de Bilbao andAlonso Martnez, a largenumber of popular bars,pubs, fast food restaurantsand ice cream parlors areconcentrated. The bars in the districts ofArguelles and Moncloa aregenerally frequented byUniversity students and ayounger crowd. Malasaa, in the vicinty ofthe Plaza de Dos de Mayo,has countless cafs and bars
with live music, in additionto moderatelypricedrestaurants. The Calle Huertas and thePlaza de Santa Ana offer alively nightlife and cafs withlive music. The streets of Paseo de laCastellana, Paseo deRecoletos and Paseo delPrado boast qualityrestaurants, cafs andpopular night spots. In the summer months andespecially at night, openairterraces abound in the areasof the Paseo de la Castellanaand the Parque del Oeste.
The daily newspapersgenerally publish a weeklyentertainment supplement onThursday or Friday whichprovides detailed informationon restaurants, bars, cinemas,theaters, art galleries, etc.
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Festivals and Celebrations
Carnaval, a carnival withparades and costume partiesculminating on AshWednesday with the traditionalburial of the Sardine, marksthe beginning of Lent.
During the Fiestas del 2 deMayo, a festival of theCommunity of Madrid,celebrations include a widevariety of concerts, openairdancing and sporting events.Bullfights are also held.
May 15th marks the startof the celebrationssurrounding the monthlongFiestas de San Isidrohonoring the patron saint ofMadrid and are the mostlively popular festivities inMadrid. Tradition demandsthat one attend the romera(pilgrimage) to the saintsmeadow to drink from themiraculous water at thefountain of the hermitage.Traditional Castizo dress isworn, and the typicalbarquillos (rolled wafers),buuelos (fritters) androsquillas (doughnuts) are forsale. This time of year also
ushers in the famous Feriataurina or bullfighting fairwhich also carries the nameof the patron saint of Madridand lasts from the middle ofMay to the middle of June atthe Plaza Monumental LasVentas bullring. Concerts,open-air dances and outdoorcelebrations are also heldduring this period.
The 13th of June, the day ofSan Antonio, young girls havea date at the hermitage of SanAntonio de la Florida.According to dressmakerstradition, a single girl mustplace 13 pins in the baptismalfont, and if one of the pinssticks to her finger, she willmarry during the year.
August is the month ofcelebration in some of thetypical districts of Madrid.From the 6th to the 15th, theFiestas de San Lorenzo, SanCayetano and the Virgen dela Paloma are commemoratedwith processions, openairdancing, and sidewalkconcerts in the park of theVistillas and vicinity.
POST OFFICE AND TELEPHONES
Correos (Post Office) Main office for telegraphand postal services, Palaciode Comunicaciones.Plaza de Cibeles. 902 197 197. Hours: 8 a.m. to midnight.
Telephones Main Office of theTelephone Company,Telefnica.Gran Va, 30.Open 9:30 a.m.to 11:30 p.m. Public telephones are eithercoin-operated or can be usedwith telephone cards that maybe purchased at tobacconistshops. Telegrams by telephone: 91 522 20 00. Information: 1003.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Emergencies and PublicSafety. 112. Emergency medicalassistance: 061.Red Cross: 91 522 22 22.
PoliceNational Police. 091.Municipal Police. 092.Civil Guard Traffic Police. 900 12 35 05.
Firemen. 080.
Highway Information. 900 123 505.
Lost and Found. 91 588 43 46/48.
Citizen Information. Town Hall. 010.
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Addresses of general interest
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Alcal de Henares. Declared aWordl Heritage City. An oldcity only a short distance fromMadrid, the seat of the famousUniversity founded in 1499 byCardenal Cisneros. TheUniversity building, at Plaza deSan Diego, boasts a splendidPlateresque faade. Theinterior courtyards are alsoworth visiting, especially themost famous one called thePatio Trilinge, where classesof Hebrew, Greek and Latinwere taught. Interestingcloisters, gardens and theAuditorium may also beadmired. Within the town,churches and convents attractour attention, such as theChurch of Magistral-Cathedral,started in the 12th century, theArchbishops Palace, theconvent of Las Bernardas, the
church of the Jesuits and theOratorio of San Felipe Neri.On the Calle de la Imagen, thehouse where Cervantes wasborn, which has beenreconstructed and refurbishedwith furniture and householditems of the era, can be visited.
33 Km. from Madrid on the N-II highway in the direction ofZaragoza. Trains from Atochaand Charmartn Stations leaveevery 10 minutes. Buses at thebeginning of Avenida deAmrica depart every 10minutes.Tourist Information: Callejn de Santa Mara 91 889 26 94.
Aranjuez. Poised on a fertileplain bathed by the TagusRiver, this royal retreat boasts
Excursions from Madrid
Alcal de Henares. Plaza de Cervantes
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beautiful jewels such as thePalacio Real (Royal Palace)and the magnificent gardenswhich surround it. It was aresidence of kings since the15th century. In the 17thcentury the Bourbon kings builtthe palace and its gardens.Although plagued by fires andsubsequent reconstructions, theRoyal Palace continues tomaintain authentic architecturalunity. The Jardn del Parterregarden is adorned withnumerous sculptures, the Jardnde la Isla stands out for itsfountains and the Jardn delPrncipe is an English-stylegarden. The Casa del Labradoris a neoclassical huntingpavilion constructed by orderof King Carlos IV and locatedin the Jardn del Prncipe.
The town of Aranjuez was builtstarting in the 18th century.King Fernando VI ordered thestructures to be erectedaccording to a design of streetsand dwellings that respondedto ideas of the Enlightenmentmovement. Variousoutbuildings of the palaces andother monuments of interestcan also be admired.
47 kilometers from Madrid onthe N-IV highway. Trains leaveevery 30 minutes from AtochaStation. Buses leave from theEstacin Sur de Autobuses.From May to October (with the
exception of August) there is aspecial tourist train onSaturdays called the Tren dela Fresa (Strawberry Train). Tourist Information: 91 891 04 27.
Chinchn. The charmingPlaza Mayor surrounded onthree sides by two and three-story houses with woodenbalconies is well worth a visit.Its church has a painting byGoya, La Asuncin de laVirgen (Assumption of theVirgin). The 17th centuryConvent of Las Clarisas isalso interesting.
45 Km. from Madrid on theN-III highway, take turnoff atArganda. Buses leave everyhour from the street Avenidadel Mediterrneo, 49,between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Manzanares el Real. Apicturesque town in the Sierrade Guadarrama at the foot ofLa Pedriza mountain, summerresidence for many madrileos.Its 15th century castle is ajewel of civil architecture. It isworthwhile taking a strollthrough La Pedriza park andalong the banks of theManzanares river.
47 Km. from Madrid on theColmenar Viejo highway.Buses from Plaza de Castilla,Mateo Inurria.
El Escorial. Felipe II orderedconstruction of these startlingaustere, grandiose, granitestructures. The monastery,church and palace melt in aframework of courtyards,corridors and rooms forming arectangular block crowned byfour towers with pointed spireson each one of the corners,offsetting the horizontal lines.Also noteworthy is the basilica,topped by a 92 meter domeand paintings on the vaults byLucas Jordn. Along the wallsthere are 43 altars with paintedaltarpieces and the mainchapel of the nave concentratesthe greatest decorative treasureof the church. The Patio de losReyes, which precedes thebasilica, is a solemnrectangular courtyard where
the bareness of the wallscontrasts with the truly royalgrandeur of the front faade. Palaces. In those occupied bythe Hapsburgs, the Sala de lasBatallas decorated withfrescoes is worthy of specialmention. Outstanding amongthe palaces are the sumptuousrooms belonging to theBourbons, decorated withluxurious tapestries andPompeyan ceilings. Chapterhouses. Works by ElGreco, Velzquez, Ribera,Titian and Bosch, along withpaintings from the 16thcentury Venetian School, canbe admired. Biblioteca. The librarypreserves more than 40,000volumes and manuscriptsdating from as far back as the
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Chinchn. Parador
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El Escorial. Monastery of St. Lorenzo
from the 14th century.115 Km. northwest of Madridon the N-VI highway. Trainsleave from Atocha Station.Buses depart from Mndez lvaro, 11. Information: 920 21 13 87.
Segovia. Its impressive Romanaqueduct, the majesticAlcaza
