Spanish History Phillip 3
Attractions in Madrid Spain
Madrid, based on tradition and history, but at the same time modern, is an exciting place to visit. Relive the days of kings and artists of the court in one of many Madrid museums, sample the spicy, complex Spanish cuisine, a glass of sherry in the cafeteria at the corner. Madrid has something for all tastes. Here are ten best things to do in Madrid:
The Museo del Prado
One of the world's most important museums, El Prado houses an extensive collection of works by Goya, El Greco and Velazquez. The core of this collection is the royal art collection accumulated over hundreds of years by the Spanish Habsburgs and Bourbon kings. The building is flooded with natural light, an ideal complement to the dark tones, Spanish art. The museum also has a major exhibition of Flemish art, with works Rubens, Rembrandt, Van Dyck, and Durer.
Plaza Mayor
This central plaza was built in the 17th century during the reign of Philip III. Originally, the square was the center of commerce and city life and the scene of such ceremonial occasions as the coronation of a new king, bullfights, and canonization a new saint. Today, the square is a pedestrian area filled with cafes. In December, the Plaza Mayor is the home of the Christmas fair with its bright rows of vendors selling ornaments, birth sets, and other seasonal decorations.
Shopping
Leather goods (boots, jackets, belts and handbags), footwear (all shapes and sizes, all very fashionable), hand-painted ceramics, copper and all specialties of Spain. Preciados Street, between the Puerta del Sol and Gran Via, is home to department stores in Madrid and high-end boutiques. Goya Street is the place to go for leather goods, and around the university is full of unique shops selling books, clothing and textiles. The city of Toledo is known for its pottery and knives.
Restaurants in Madrid
Flat-bottomed kettles work team with saffron rice and seafood, peas, chorizo, and chicken, boiled eggs in glass, china dishes topped with bubbling cheese, small "tapas" plates of sausages, calamari, olives and cheese. This is food in Spain: varied, reasonably price, and delicious. The Madrid (Madrid residents) start the day with a hearty breakfast, sometimes eggs (in dozens of ways) and sometimes donuts, meat or eggs tortillas filled sandwich. Break from their jobs for a lunch two hours, the main meal of the day and return home for a siesta (afternoon nap). Afternoon (4-5 pm), return to work and finish the day afternoon. Because of this, dinner is served late (for American standards) in Madrid. Do not even think of going to a restaurant in Madrid before 8 pm. (In Madrid, restaurants usually open from 1 to 4 pm for lunch and from 8 pm to midnight for dinner). In the afternoon, before dinner, residents gather at a neighborhood restaurants sherry or a glass of wine together with tapas (literally, small plates). These "small plates" are a Spanish tradition and consist of sausages, olives, cheeses, shrimp, squid and octopus, and other food into small bite-size pieces.
Cafes are everywhere in Madrid. Sit back and enjoy a glass of wine or a cup of coffee and watch the parade of passersby.
Wine is good and plentiful in Madrid. Sherry, both dry and dry not, produced in nearby Juarez, is a very popular snack in Spain. For dinner, the lusty, full-bodied Riojas are a perfect accompaniment a steak or pork dish.
Toledo
One hour from Madrid by train, the city of Toledo was the capital of Holy Roman Empire, Visigoths and Muslim empires. It is a treasure of Spanish culture. Look beyond the tourist buses always present and enjoy the architecture of inspiration. All places of interest are located within the ancient stone walls of the old city. Here the narrow winding streets are like a North African bazaar. The Cathedral Toledo is superb. This church has five naves enormous and delicate stained glass. The Alcazar, which historical strength of the Visigoths, Moors and Romans, also deserves a visit. It now houses a military museum. Toledo was the seat of the Greek painter, Domenikos Theotokopoulos, better known as El Greco. His dark, brooding works be displayed throughout Toledo and the Museum of El Greco in the heart of the city.
Parque del Retiro
Madrid's Retiro Park is Central Park version. Located in the heart of the city, this green oasis was given to King Philip IV in 1632. Originally only for actual usage, which opened to the public in early 1800. Retiro Park is adorned with fountains and monuments, including one in honor of King Alfonso XII. A large reflecting pool shines in the center of the park surrounded by small cafes. The park is also home to the Glass Pavilion, a beautiful room, 19th-century exhibition. Attend a summer concert here or just stroll the lovely gardens.
Palacio Real
King Felipe V ordered the royal palace in 1724, after the original palace of the Habsburgs destroyed by fire. Made entirely of stone, This huge building is based on designs created by the artist Bernini for the Louvre in Paris. Seemingly endless rooms (2000 in total) spread over four floors surrounding a courtyard. The palace is full of works of art and decorative objects Spain's rich and varied history. Particularly noteworthy is the collection of tapestries (20 miles of them), collections of art (including works of Goya, Velazquez and El Bosco), and the apartments of the Bourbons, when kings lived Alfonso XII and XIII. The gardens surrounding the palace are glorious and worth a visit.
National Art Museum
Officially, the Reina Sofia National Art Centre, the core This museum is the collection of Queen Sofia of 20th century art, including Picasso's moving masterpiece, "Guernica." Works by Miró, Julio González, Juan Gris, Picasso and Dali, all influential Cubist and Surrealist movements in art, are also displayed.
Visit to El Escorial
A short distance outside of Madrid is the small, hilltop of El Escorial, where the monastery and the Palace of El Escorial. Built by King Felipe II, El Escorial is a gigantic complex that includes a church, a monastery, a library, a burial site, a museum, and a palace. El Escorial was the summer residence of Spanish kings during centuries. The church of El Escorial develop a Luca Giordano fresco representing biblical scenes and a gilded bronze statue of King Carlos V.
The library, with its roof with the model vault of the Sistine Chapel in Rome, is filled with over 40,000 volumes, many of them rare Arabic, Greek, Hebrew and medieval art.
National Archaeological Museum
The National Archaeological Museum of Madrid's most important museum after the Prado. Founded by Queen Elizabeth II 1867, when the museum's wide range from prehistory to the 19th century. Of particular interest are the collection of Islamic Art, a tribute to the rich culture that once thrived in Spain, and the exhibition of medieval art including hand-forged crosses, chalices and armor. There is also a cafeteria and a research library open the public.
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