The map of Madrid
shows three distinct areas in the center of the city. In the old part,
the streets are narrow and winding and building construction is dense.
Farther out, the streets become wider and straighter and finally, the outskirts
are characterized by a boom of new construction during the 20th century.
There are two main arteries
in the city: the Gran Via and the Paseo de la Castellana. The Gran Via,
commenced at the beginning of the century, is the site of numerous cinemas
and places of amusement. The more modern Paseo de la Castellana is the
headquarters of many of the large banks, as well as luxury office buildings
and business complexes.
Carrera San Jeronimo
34 Madrid, 28014 ES
The Hotel
Urban is located approximately 10 miles from the Madrid Barajas Airport.
Local attractions include Atocha, Corte Ingles, Opera House, and Prado
Museum. ......
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Campomanes 4
Madrid, 28013 ES
Situated in
the heart of Madrid where the business and tourism flourishes, Hotel Room
Mate Mario 54 room *cheap & chic* concept. Mario has its own unique
personality, ......
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Mesoneros Romanos
13 Madrid, 28013 ES
The Tryp Cibeles
is located within walking distance of the Plaza Mayor and approximately
10 miles from Barajas Airport. The hotel is also within walking distance
of Puerta del Sol, Royal Palace, Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen Museum.
......
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Infantas 29
Madrid, 28004 ES
This charmed
and new hotel is located in the heart of Madrid, in a building built in
1882 and it's protected by the Madrid Comunity. The hotel combines perfectly
the estructural elements, like columns, pillars, exterior views and facade,
with a modern and funciontal decoration ......
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From Medieval Madrid to
Madrid of the Austrias
We start our tour at the
Plaza Mayor (Main Square), which takes its name at the start of the 16th
century. Juan de Herrera was commissioned to remodel the old square of
Arrabal, but construction wasn't begun until 1617 under the direction of
Juan Gomez de Mora by order of Felipe Ill.
lnaugurated in 1620, this
large rectangular, stone-paved plaza with its ground floor arcades, underwent
its lost remodeling in 1853 by Juan de Villanueva.
Until the last century,
the Plaza Mayor served as a marketplace on weekdays and was the scene of
popular events from bullfights to public announcement of sentences during
the Inquisition, religious processions, public executions and dance and
theater festivals. Beneath the arcades, you can find an assortment of shops
that sell fabrics, costume jewelry and souvenirs, along with outdoor cafes,
taverns and bakeries. Some of the shops are one of a kind. On Sunday mornings
a stamp market is held beneath the arches, and during the Christmas holidays
numerous stalls offer call types of Christmas decorations for sale.
The most striking building
in the Plaza Mayor is the Casa de la Panaderia (Bakery House), with its
colorful fresco-adorned facade. On the opposite side of the square is the
Casa de la Carniceria ; this former butcher shop now houses Municipal offices.
In the centre of the plaza is the equestrian statue of Felipe III by the
Italian Juan de Bolonia.
Leaving through the eastern
exit of the Plaza Mayor, in the Plaza de la Provincia, we find the Palacio
de Santa Cruz, current site of the Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores (Ministry
of Foreign Affairs), a handsome building constructed as seat of the Courts,
according to the project by Juan Gomez de Mora between 1629-1643.
Returning to the Plaza Mayor,
cross the Plaza diagonally and take Calle Ciudad Rodrigo to the Plaza de
San Miguel where the market known as the Mercado de San Miguel can be seen
supporting its roof with airy iron columns. Now proceed along the Calle
Mayor until to reach the Plaza de la Villa (Town-Square).
Here we find the Casa de
la Villa designed by Juan Gomez de Mora in 1640 to house the Town Council
and jail. The Casa de Cisneros (Cisneros' House), a reconstruction undertaken
at the beginning of the 20th century of the 16th century Plateresque palace,
is entered from the Calle Sacramento. Returning to the Plaza, we see the
mudejar-style (a mixture of Moorish and Christian) Palacio & Torre
de Lujanes (Lujan Palace and Tower), built in the 15th century
The narrow Calle del Codo
takes us to the Plaza del Conde de Miranda where we encounter the Convento
de las Carboneras (Convent of the Carboneras) built in 1607, which houses
a collection of interesting paintings. The adjoining back streets make
up the framework of what was once a Medieval town sprinkled with convents
and palaces. On emerging from the convent, continue down the street to
the Calle San Justo. Here we find the Basilica de San Miguel, (St. Michael's
Basilica) a Baroque 18th century building designed with an interesting
curved facade. To the right of the basilica is a tiny gated passageway
called Pasadizo del Panecillo where we can glimpse the Baroque facade of
the Palacio Arzobispal (Archbishop's Palace). Now, follow the Calle del
Doctor Letamendi to the Calle Segovia, cross over and take Travesia del
Nuncio up to Calle Nuncio to the lglesia de San Pedro el Viejo (Church
of St. Peter the Old), built in the 15th century with a 14th century mudejar
tower erected over the minaret of a former mosque. The Calle Principe Anglona
will take us to the medieval Plaza de la Paja where we encounter the Capilla
del Obispo (Bishops Chapel), the only Gothic temple in Madrid. The altarpiece
and Plateresque doors are of great artistic value. Go around the right
side to the Plaza de Los Carros where we find the Baroque Capilla de San
lsidro (Chapel of St. lsidro), and also the Plaza de San Andres, where
the Baroque lglesia de San Andres (St. Andrew's Church) is also located.
The Chapel of St. lsidro is now accessed through the Church. From the Plaza
del Humilladero, we take the Calle Cava Baja, a street where old shops
and restaurants evoke all the flavour of Old Madrid. After several minutes,
we come to the Plaza de Puerta Cerrada, then proceed along the Calle de
Cuchilleros, bustling with tascas (pubs) and mesones (old-style taverns).
Soon we see the steps leading
up to the archway of Arco de Cuchilleros which take us back to the Plaza
Mayor or we can proceed on the Cava de San Miguel, accompanied by an array
of Mesones, on up to the Calle Ciudad Rodrigo, returning to the Plaza Mayor
at our departure point.
Monasterio de la Encarnacion,
Puerta del Sol and Alcala
We begin our tour at the
Plaza la Encarnacion which is near the Plaza de Oriente and where the 17th
century Monasterio de la Encarnacion (Monastery of the lncarnation) is
found. The handsome, old convent houses a collection of relics. You can
visit the former enclosure which now houses a museum with interesting works
of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Down the Calle de la Encarnacion
to the right of the church, we reach the Plaza de la Marina Espanola, where
we find the Palacio del Senado (Senate Palace), built at the end of the
16th century for a community of Agustinian friars and recently remodeled.
It is now the seat of the Spanish Senate. To the left and adjoining the
Senate building is the Palacio del Marques de Grimaldi (Palace of the Marquis
of Grimaldi), the work of Sabatini in 1776. On the Calle Torija, we find
the Convento de las Reparadoras (Convent of the Reparadoras), designed
by Ventura Rodriguez in 1782 for the purpose of installing the Court of
the Inquisition; the church dates from the 19th century.
From here we continue along
the Calle Torija until we reach the Plaza de Santo Domingo. Then take the
Calle Veneras where the author Ruben Dario lived. Proceed on the Calle
de Trujillos and turn left at the Travesia de Trujillos which runs into
the Plaza de las Descalzas, where we find the 16th century Monasterio de
las Descalzas Reales (Monastery of the Royal Barefoot Franciscans). It
was the former home of the women of Royal Families who upon entering the
nunnery brought with them valuable dowries in works of art, which have
formed the collection that we can now admire.
The Puerta del Sol (Gateway
to the Sun) was once a 15th century defensive bulwark, part of a wall which
enclosed the town of Madrid limiting it from the populated outskirts. The
former Casa de Correos (Post Office) was built in 1768 under the direction
of French architect Marquet. It is crowned by a tower with a clock on its
four sides; the most famous timepiece in Madrid. At the stroke of midnight
on December 31st, madrilenos (the inhabitants of Madrid) usher in the New
Year to the chimes of its bell. On the ground in front of the building,
there is a marker indicating Kilometer zero from which the country's road
distances are measured, and all Spanish roads radiate from here as well
as the numbers of the streets. Three historic statues adorn the plaza:
one of Venus, a replica of an original in the Museo Municipal (Municipal
Museum) called "la Mariblanca"; another called El Oso y el Madrono (bear
and berry tree) made of stone and bronze in 1967 and which displays the
emblem of the city; the third statue is of King Carlos Ill.
On the left at number 3
on the Calle Alcala, we find the Ministerio de Hacienda (Ministry of Finance),
a former Customs House and good example of Baroque classicism, designed
by Sabatini with a doorway by Pedro Ribera. At number 12 we find the head
office of the Banco Espanol de Credito (Spanish Credit Bank), built in
1882-1891 according to a project designed by Jose Grases. The Real Academia
de Bellas Artes de San Fernando (Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando)
is located at number 13. This building was the design of Jose Benito de
Churriguera in 1775 and was built as a palace for the Goyeneche family
by Diego de Villanueva and remodeled by Chueca Goitia in 1974. Its art
gallery houses priceless treasures including 16th and 17th century works
by the Spanish School.
The Iglesia de las Calatravas
(Church of the Calatravas) is found at number 25. It is a Baroque temple
remodeled in the 19th century by Juan Madrazo, who incorporated some neorenaissance
elements. Its Baroque dome and high altarpiece warrant a visit. The lglesia
de San Jose (St. Josephs Church) at number 43 was built between 1730 and
1742 by Pedro Ribera. Before we reach the Plaza de Cibeles, we find the
Circulo de Bellas Artes (Fine Arts Circle) built in 1926 by Antonio Palacios
and currently the site of one of the most dynamic institutions in the cultural
life of the city.
From the Puerta de Toledo
to the Parque del Oeste
The Puerta de Toledo (Toledo
Archway) is located in the old quarter of Madrid called La Latina, which
preserves the traditional flavour of the old part of the city. The archway
was a project of King Jose Bonaparte and was built between 1817 and 1827.
The Calle Gran Via de San
Francisco takes us to the Basilica de San Francisco el Grande (Basilica
of St. Francis the Great); a project by Francisco Cabezas dating from 1761
and finished by Sabatini at the request of Carlos Ill in 1776. Prestigious
painters such as Goya were commissioned to decorate the interior. There
is an interesting art gallery in the cloister. Next to the basilica we
find the Capilla del Cristo de la Venerable Orden Tercera (Chapel of Christ
of the Third Venerable Order); a 16th century Baroque structure with a
noteworthy baldachin over the central altar.
Continuing along the Calle
Bailen, we find on our left Las Vistillas, a small wooded park which provides
a wonderful view of the western port of the city with the Casa de Campo
park in the background - an ideal place to enjoy the sunset from one of
the terraces of the local bars. A little farther on, we cross the impressive
Viaduct over the Calle Segovia built in 1934. Without leaving the Calle
Bailen, passing the Viaduct, we arrive at the intersection of the Calle
Mayor, and find the former Palacio de los Duques de Uceda (Palace of the
Duke of Uceda) built in 1611, present site of the Madrid district Military
Headquarters and the State Council.
The Palacio de Oriente,
usually called the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) was constructed on the site
of a Moorish fortress, destroyed by fire in 1734. The first stone was placed
in 1737 and the ltalian architects Juan Bautista Sacchetti and Francisco
Sabatini were commissioned for its construction. Opposite the main facade
facing towards the south, is the Plaza de la Armeria (Royal Armory Square).
CircIing the palace, we gain access to a lovely park, the Jardines de Sabatini
(Sabatini Gardens) and the sloping enclosed gardens known as the Campo
del Moro. Adjoininq the Palace is La Almudena Cathedral.
The Real Armeria (Royal
Armory) and the Real Oficina de Farmacia (Royal Pharmacy) and Museo de
Carruajes (Carriage Museum) may also be visited. The Royal Palace is not
currently used as a royal residence but is used for state receptions.
Plaza de Cibeles, Puerta
de Alcala and Parque del Retiro
The fountain in the Plaza
de Cibeles, surrounded by some of the city's most important monuments,
has become an important symbol of Madrid.
On the north-west corner
of the Calle Alcala, half hidden by shrubbery, we have a view of the Cuartel
General del Ejercito (Military Headquarters), formerly the Buenavista Palace
built in 1769. Across the street, we find the Palacio de Linares (Palace
of Linares), presently the Casa de America (House of the Americas Culture
Center), a neobaroque structure finished in 1878. On the southeast corner
is the immense neoclassical-style Palacio de Comunicaciones (main Post
Office) with its ornate stone walls, started in 1905 by architects Otamendi
and Palacios.
Next to it, in Paseo del
Prado number 5, we find the Museo Naval (Naval Museum) which displays interesting
documents an relics along with ancient and modern model-ships of the Spanish
Navy. The plaza is rounded out with the head office of the Banco de Espana
(Bank of Spain) standing imposingly on the southwest corner. Started in
1891, it reflects neorenaissance tendencies. Continuing along the Calle
Alcala, we reach the impressive Puerta de Alcala (Alcala Gateway) in the
Plaza de la lndependencia, which used to be the gateway to the city by
the Aragon road. It was designed by the Italian architect Francisco Sabatini
in 1778. Nearby on the Calle Montalban, we encounter the Museo de Artes
Decorativas (Decorative Arts Museum). On Calle Mendez Nunez, the Museo
del Ejercito (Army Museum) and on Calle Felipe IV, the Real Academia de
la Lengua (Royal Academy of the Spanish Language) can be found.
There are several entrances
to the Parque del Retiro (Retiro Park): Calle Alfonso XII, Calle Alcala,
Plaza de la lndependencia and Avenida Menendez Pelayo. What we know today
as the Retiro Park once formed part of the gardens, palaces and dwellings
constructed for royal use by order of Felipe IV, inaugurated in the fall
of 1632. Inside the park, we can admire the Palacio de Cristal (Crystal
Palace), a large greenhouse made out of iron and glass and the Palacio
de Velazquez (Velazquez Palace), both built at the end of the 19th century
and currently used for exhibitions.
The Art Tour and Carrera
de San Jeronimo
Our tour begins at the Palacio
de Villahermosa (Villahermosa Palace), converted into the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza.
The museum building is a 17th century neoclassical palace, remodeled at
the beginning of the 19th century and adapted by Rafael Moneo in 1992 to
house this outstanding collection of western art.
Continuing along what was
formerly the front of the palace on the Carrera de San Jeronimo, we arrive
at the Palacio del Congreso, seat of the Spanish Parliament in the Plaza
de las Cortes. It was finished in 1850 under the direction of Narciso Pascual
y Colomer. Corinthian columns support a neoclassical pediment.
On the opposite side of
the street, we find the Palace Hotel, built in 1912. Nearby at Calle Cervantes
number 11, we see the Casa-Museo de Lope de Vega (House-Museum of Lope
de Vega) close to the homes where other renowned Spanish authors, including
Cervantes, Quevedo and Gongora, lived. At Calle Lope de Vega number 18,
we find an interesting structure, the lglesia & Convento de las Trinitarias
(Church and Convent of the Trinitarians) dating from the 17th century.
The altarpieces and carvings are worth visiting. We now turn back in the
Direction of the Paseo del Prado to find the Fuente de Neptuno (Neptune
Fountain) with a statue of Neptune standing on a chariot wielding a trident.
The design was the work
of Ventura Rodriguez as was the Cibeles fountain; the sculptor was Juan
Pascual Mena in 1780. On the semi-circular Plaza de la Lealtad is another
of Madrid's finest hotels, the Ritz Hotel, installed in a unique structure
built in 1910. The Museo del Prado (Prado Museum) is located in a neoclassical
building designed by the architect Juan de Villanueva in 1785 and originally
planned as a Museum of Natural History. It has been an art museum since
1818. Its floor plan is formed by a rectangle with two square structures
attached at each end. The rotonda covered by a dome which lights the vestibule
deserves special mention, and in the center we can view a bronze sculpture
of Carlos V by Pompeyo Leoni.
The Prado Museum houses
the most important collection of Spanish painting up until the 19th century.
In it we can admire masterpieces by Velazquez, Goya, Murillo, Ribera and
Zurbaran, among others. In addition, it also contains a magnificent collection
of Flemish and ltalian art.
Continuing on the Paseo
del Prado, we arrive at the Jardin Botanico (Botanical Garden) which currently
organizes exhibits on botanical and related subjects. A variety of rare
plants and trees can be seen.
The Museo Nacional Centro
de Arte Reina Sofia (Queen Sofia Art Center) is a cultural centre located
on the Calle Santa lsabel in a former neoclassical-style hospital renovated
in the 1980's to house the museum. Spanish contemporary art, as well as
temporary exhibitions, may be seen here. It also houses the treasures of
the former Spanish Contemporary Art Museum and recently become the showcase
of the famous painting Guernica by Picasso. It also contains a large library.
From the Gran Via to the
Plaza de Espana and surrounding areas
Gran Via, one of the main
arteries in Madrid, was conceived at the turn of the century and finished
in 1952 when the last building site was occupied. An assortment of structures
with ornate facades, large cornices, colonnades and balconies dominate
the eastern end.
Rising imposingly at the
intersection of the Gran Via and Calle Alcala, where we begin our tour,
we find the Metropolis building. Farther down on the right side of the
street, we see the Museo Chicote (Chicote Museum), a charming little bar-museum;
meeting place of artists and bullfighters of yesteryear.
On the parallel street of
Caballero de Gracia (accessed through Calle Clavel or the PIaza Red de
San Luis), we find the Oratorio del Caballero de Gracia, (Oratory of Caballero
de Gracia), built at the end of the 18th century, a living example of the
elegant neoclassical style by Juan de Villanueva. In the lovely interior,
the paintings on the vault deserve special mention.
On the Gran Via, near the
Plaza Red de San Luis, we find the headquarters of the Telefonica (Spains
National Telephone Co.), the first skyscraper in Madrid built in 1929 by
the North American architect Weeks. A little farther along, we come to
the Plaza de Callao, usually bustling with pedestrians and cars and surrounded
by cinemas and department stores and shops. Opposite the Plaza, we see
the Palacio de la Prensa, which was built in 1928 under the architectural
influence of the Chicago School. A little further on the left, we encounter
the Carrion building, site of the Capitol cinema, built between 1931 and
1934 following the German School of Mendelsohn. It is a good example of
1930's architecture. Our walk continues downhill between structures which
blend both European and American trends with traditional architecture.
Separating the Gran Via
from the Calle Princesa is the huge Plaza de Espana, noted for two exceptional
buildings of the 1950's: the Edificio Espana and the Torre de Madrid, both
from projects designed by the Otamendi brothers.
On the side street of Calle
San Leonardo by the Edificio Espana, we find the lglesia de San Marcos
(Church of St. Mark's), the work of Ventura Rodriguez, finished in 1753
and declared a national monument in 1944. It is one of the loveliest structures
of Madrid Baroque. Taking a short detour from the Calle Princesa at Calle
Ventura Rodriguez number 17, is the Museo Cerralbo (Cerralbo Museum), a
stately 19th century mansion which contains noteworthy furniture and art
treasures. Retracing our steps to the Calle Princesa, we encounter at number
20 the Palacio de Liria (Palace of Liria), palatial residence of the Duchess
of Alba. It was completed by Ventura Rodriguez in 1780. Backing up to the
rear part of the palace on the Calle Conde Duque, we find the Cuartel de
Conde Duque built from the design by Pedro Ribera in 1720. This Baroque
structure now houses municipal offices, including exhibition halls and
libraries. During the summer, the courtyard is the site of concerts and
evening events. |
