Madrid

Day 4: We flew from Barcelona to Madrid. After checking into our Hostal we walked down to the Plaza del Sol to see some sights.

Plaza del Sol with a statue of King Charles III affectionately called "the best mayor of Madrid" because of his enlightened urban policies.


Then we walked down Calle Mayor and ended up at Plaza Mayor which was built in 1619 by Phillip III.


After a quick walk around the Plaza Mayor we stopped by Casa Rua for a famous bocadillos de calamares (fried squid sandwich). Brian had to wash down the sandwich with a cervasas nationales (domestic beer).


Leaving Plaza Mayor we passed a statue memorializing the 1906 bombing of the royal couples' wedding day parade that killed 23 people. The bomb was tied to a bouquet and thrown from a balcony across the street.


We continued our walk and passed a convent. On the door is a sign that says venta de dulces (sweets for sale). Unfortunately the nuns were taking a vacation from baking their sweets until September and it was closed.


We then walked to the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) built by King Phillip V, who was tyring to build his own Versailles. It has more than 2,000 rooms.


Next to the Palacio Real is Madrid's Cathedral de la Almudenia finished in 1983. The exterior is contemporary mix and not very attractive, but the inside was amazing (Courtney's favorite in Europe thus far).


5,000 pipe organ


Gig'em Jesus


Check out the colorful ceiling




Isidro's coffin. It was opened 40 years after he died and his body was miraculously preserved, which convinced the pope to canonize him as the patron saint of Madrid and farmers.


Day 5: After eating at Pans & Co. for the 3rd morning in a row we headed for Parque del Retiro, stopping at a few sights along the way.

Palacio de Comunicaciones


Puerta de Alcala


We went into Madrid's Parque del Buen Retiro. It was once a private royal park and Charles III decided to open the park to the public in the late 18th century.

Monumento A. Alfonso XII


For a small fee we were able to rent a boat and row around the lake in front of the monument. Brian did all of the rowing. The lake was full of ducks and coy fish. Lots of people were feeding the ducks and fish, but there was one Spanish lady that threw an entire loaf at once to the fish. Apparently she didn't grasp the concept of breaking the bread into pieces.




Gardens in the park.


Palacio de Cristal.