January was a long month... seemed almost eternal. I have the feeling that we are still in that month, but I just realized we are already writing February with today's date. Well, many things happened during that last month, starting from some changes in the diet. That is the biggest and most significant one. Then a short visit to Madrid. Back to school and lessons. Regular Sunday gigs and new ones that are on the horizon. The neighbour is refurbishing her apartment. Students were testing positive on the virus thing, and me negative. February is just opening its windows to our world, and at the end of it, we will see the sights that the days of this second month have brought to us. Until then, let's go back to that aforementioned Madrid visit that definitely stayed in my heart.
It was still at the beginning of the year and this trip was a wish of my son. He has some valid reasons for being there, so we may go again somewhere in future. Pure joy and vibes were what we got from this excursion. The only drawback of this trip was the length of it: just two days, however, it was not possible to stay longer. Anyway, we had a great time despite the fact that it was cold, which I already mentioned in my first post where we walked a bit together. If you want to take a look, don't hesitate to click the link that will lead you to the streets of Madrid. Or, if you just want to continue reading this one, then it would also make me glad!
The first sightseeing that we will visit today is the Almudena Cathedral. It is so majestic that you can not miss seeing it. This cathedral (in Spanish: Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena) is located in the historic centre of the city. It is very close to the Royal Palace, actually, its main facade faces it. I was surprised by the fact that it was completed just in 1993 when Pope John Paul II consecrated it. Another important date for this cathedral is 22 May 2004, as the Spanish crown prince (now King), Felipe VI and Letizia Ortiz held their marriage on that day at this temple.
The facade of the Almudena Cathedral is interesting and made of different materials brought over here from many parts of Spain. The bases of the columns were made with a dolomitic stone that came from the province of Guadalajara. The facade with white tones and pink veins was made with veined micritic limestone. The main portal, with its two towers, is made of granite. The most impressive detail is maybe the dome. It has Baroque reminiscences on the outside, but from inside it is more Gothic.
Just across from the cathedral we can see The Royal Palace of Madrid. It is the largest of its kind in Western Europe. It occupies more than 135,000 square meters and contains 3,418 rooms. If we would have time, we could visit its interior, as it is open to the public. However, there was a long queue, so we didn't want to spend half of the day just to see the rooms. Still, I would like to do it one day, as it hosts a valuable historical and artistic heritage. There is a set of musical instruments known as the Stradivarius Palatinos, would be nice to see it.
This is the entrance to the Royal Palace, and the queue we didn't want to wait. Just passed by it, and continued to the other side of the Palace. There is a place with so cool views toward the mountains, with snow on the top of them. Despite my several attempts, I couldn't manage to take a photo with those peaks covered with snow.
This is the facade that is facing Armory Square (Plaza de la Armería). That square connects the Almudena Cathedral and The Royal Palace. Here we made a small pause, as our young people were hungry (son and company). I searched in my bag for what I could offer them. One apple, two cereal bars and one orange juice. How small things can make people happy when the stomach is empty. Maybe a lesson for the next time and have a better breakfast before touring in the centre of Madrid.
Not more than a few dozen steps from the main entrance of the palace, there is another square - Plaza de Oriente. The square contains a sculptural collection of twenty Spanish kings, 5 of them Visigoths and fifteen monarchs of the first Christian kingdoms of the Reconquest. We can see three gardens in it and the main Monument, which represents King Felipe IV.
When we cross this square, The Royal Theater is offering itself to the views of the tourists. It was officially inaugurated in 1850. It has a neoclassical appearance, and it came as a result of a reform held in 1884 which altered the original architectural composition. From the two streets on the sides of the main facade of the Royal Theater, we could reach the historical centre of the city.
Our next stop is Plaza de España, which highlights a tall monument dedicated to Miguel de Cervantes. The figures that make up this emblematic monument have a seated Cervantes at the base of the monument. Under the feet of the writer, we can see the statues of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, maybe the two most famous characters of Spanish literature.
Our last stop that day was Plaza Mayor (Town square). It is a major public space in the centre of the city, and it gives place to many small shops and restaurants. Back in time, in the 15th century, it was used as the main market of the town. It was too busy, too crowded and we didn't really like the offer of the food. What I did liked were the red facade and the huge Christmas tree in the square.
Another feature I like in the edges of the historic city centre is the Monumental Gates. There are four main entrances to Madrid, Puerta de Alcala, Puerta de Toledo, Puerta de San Vicente and Puerta de Hierro. I bring here two of them, the first is Puerta de Toledo and the second one is Puerta de San Vicente.
Arriving slowly at the end of our visit to the centre, we passed again by The Royal Palace. It gave a different view; there were some clouds and the sun was lower and hidden but still wanting to show itself. Also, it was windier in the afternoon, and cold indeed starter to pinch our cheeks. Heading back to the warm place to rest, have some more fun and chill and then we said goodbye to Madrid. Until the next time :))
Yeah… more Madrid photos.
The Palace is huge… the architecture and details on the façade, stunning.
Yes Plaza de España a must see when visiting. Beautiful @mipiano. I can understand that is was to short just 2 days. And cold.
I will probably have to go end of the month. I don’t mind picking up my new passport. 😉 Thursday I am applying for it in Málaga, the embassy team comes down for that. So let’s see when it will be finished and I can go and pick it up. 😎
Hahahha, yes, more Madrid photos, but that's all for now. No more until some next time.
Picking up the passport is an excellent excuse (well, not an excuse, but an opportunity) to go to Madrid. But, if you can, stay at least two days, or don't know if you can fit even more days into your and your partner's schedule. That would be cool :)
The Palace was huge indeed, I couldn't get it into one normal photo haha. I know, we should meet the King and become friends hahaha, so would spend some entire days in the interior (although they don't live there but in another palace).
Have fun when you visit Madrid at the end of the month. February will pass quickly :)
Yes, it is a great excuse to go 😎
Don’t know how long we can go and it also depends on what day I can make an appointment. Perfect would be a Friday so we could stay the weekend. But who knows. I will find out later this month.
I saw, to big to fit one photo. Stunning. Yes, that sounds like a plan. I join 😊 we would walk around and explore every room hahaha Would take us a while though 😉
Thank you, will keep you posted. Maybe do a post about it.
Yes, yes, a post will be great 😃
Well, you will see if you can choose the day to pick it up. Sounds like a good plan, from Friday and then stay for the weekend.
Then maybe you can manage somehow to shoot the palace and fit it into one photo...maybe from a helicopter 😄 but then I would like to be there too :))
Maybe I start gathering photos from Thursday with the application also. To add to the “renewing my passport in Spain journey” post. (I just figured out. Hahaha) and add it all to picking it up day. 🤓 yep… will do. Thanks 😉
Yessss a helicopter 🚁 we would manage to take that photo. (Not sure you could get close to that area though)
Dont forget, we would be the friends of the king and the queen, so it would be hive exclusive helicopter trip allowed from them hahhaha
Super plan! :) I know you will manage to take put the best from that Madrid visit 😎
Ok ok… as friends we can do that. I forgot 😇😊 hahaha sounds like fun 🚁🚁🚁
Thanks @mipiano will try and do my best. Depending on the length of days 💪🏻😎
You went to such a lot of places in two days and packed in so much information, it's incredible!!! I remember some places from when I was there last time for holiday in 2013 and but I can't remember much details at all.
Yes, we managed to visit many important spots in Madrid. Still, there are parts of the city that time didn't allow us to reach, and of course, I would like to visit the museums, stay at some concerts, live the everyday vibe of the capital. So, I should probably move there hahaha :D
I still remember as it was just a month ago. Maybe you can repeat the visit somewhere in the future to refresh your Madrid memories :)
Thank you for the @pinmapple pick 🙌 Yay, feels great that Madrid and our visit to it won 🌞
Oh..I wanted so badly to see Madrid! Now after seeing your post, I want even more! Haha.
Hope you have a nice day :)
Do it :)
It is not that impossible, I suppose you can have a direct flight, and enjoy a few days in Madrid :))
Nice day it is for me, and I hope life is treating you well too! Hug 🤗
Oh yes, I sure have a direct flight. I've been in 2019 in Madrid so I hope I will return on the Spanish lands one day 🤗
🛫 That is great. No doubts, a traveller in heart, like you, will do it indeed :))
Madrid looks like a cool city. It definitely has a lot of monuments and important buildings. The Royal Palace looks massive. I haven't read Don Quixote (too long for me) but it would be neat to see the statue.
And it was cool indeed. I really enjoyed everything, but there are still many corners of that city that we haven't discovered. It's like I am packing my bag again haha, but it will not happen soon, some months of work without a break are waiting for me, until Easter. Then a bit more to go until the summer break, hurray !!
Lovely photo's ... I look forward to seeing it myself. Unfortunately Camino is off the table now as Spain have made travel requirements beyond us ... so we will try head straight to Italy
Really? I didn't know, actually I don't listen to almost any news, so I have no clue. I am sorry Spain (and Caminito) has to be delayed, and if you can make it to Italy, I am sure you will enjoy it the same! :))
Thank you ... when the madness is over we will do Camino!!
🚶🚶♀ You will! :)
Thank you for taking us on a free tour to Madrid! Wow. 🤩 I always scratch my head thinking how people could build such grand structures.
My favorite is the Armory Square. I'll definitely come see it for myself whenever I get to visit Spain. 😁
I'll have the chance to go to Europe in a few months. How I wish I'd have more time and money for a side trip! 😅
A trip to Europe in a few months? Sounds great. Well, I hope you can make some more time and look a bit around, apart from the initial destination you have for that visit. And money :D
Yes, Armory square is cool, there you are in the middle between the Cathedral and the Palace, and there is that place with views, towards the mountains... All in all, a fantastic spot :)
What a cool post! I can imagine that it would take at least 5 posts to cover the whole Madrid. 😄
The cathedral looks really impressive, but I would love to have a look in the Royal Palace, I am sure it was closed right?
Yes, probably it would be like five posts hahaha, but it was just two posts in my case. Two days that we had, so no much more we could visit.
The Royal Palace was open, but a long queue, so we skipped it. Maybe if we visit it once again ☺️
beautiful Madrid! Look at the stunning weather! Over here it is gloomy as hell in England.
Thanks for sharing the photos!
it's beautiful without any doubt. Missing already that vibe...
You are welcome, I am glad you liked them :)
everything very beautiful, Madrid is fantastic. I really hope you have a fantastic year. A happy 2022 of peace and harmony. For you and your family!
Thank you, I agree, this city is fantastic! Wishing you the same, a successful and peaceful year! And thank you for your comment!
Madrid is a truly magnificent city. This is one of the places I want to see. Vienna comes first. but i want to see madrit too, the photos look great. it was a nice travel article.1
Oh, Vienna is nice too. I liked there the historical centre of the course and the monuments, all the architecture, the Schönbrunn Palace, the Danube...
If you can, visit both, or add other destinations too!
Thank you for your comment :)
Madrid is a beautiful city there is also stored so much history.
That's true :)
I wish i could be in there, good for you😍
It is a nice place, and I can indeed feel lucky we visited it. I am sure you have some special places in your area that we would like to visit too :)
Wow! Those pictures look really awesome!
I really enjoyed this post and think that this is great. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Keep up the great work!
Cheers,
@andy-plays
Thank you andy-plays, I am glad I could bring it to hive.
What does andy you play? Splinterlands?
You are welcome! It is really great to share such great work!
Yes, I am playing Splinterlands and Rising Star Game. Do you play as well?
Have a great day!
@andy-plays
No, I don't play any games.
Well, I do play something. The piano :D
Oh that is wonderful! I love playing the piano and organ as well ;-) And sometimes the contrabass!
That's great. Your user name indeed confirms the truth - Andy plays! 👌
Yeah, always like to do different things and to approach the world in a playful and joyful way always seemed like an amazing option ;)Thanks, @mipiano :-)
Cheers,
@andy-plays
I had no idea about this city.It was spectacular and I really enjoyed it.I would like to see this beautiful city .
Well, this is the capital of Spain, pretty warm during the summers and as we could see, a bit cold in winter... but it is relative what is cold. Maybe the real cold is when it is -20 degrees Celsius :D
Beautiful Madrid photo story. Thanks for sharing it, @mipiano. I have never been to Madrid and would love to visit the city some day.
Thank you Zoran, I think it is not impossible for you to visit it one day. I hope you can have that opportunity. Thank you for stopping by, greetings 👋
wow spain is really beautiful, its places and people, it is beautiful
It is :)
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Hiya, @LivingUKTaiwan here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made it into our Top 3 in Your post has been manually curated by the @pinmapple team. If you like what we're doing, please drop by to check out all the rest of today's great posts and consider supporting other authors like yourself and us so we can keep the project going!Thank you, that is great 💃
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I liked the post and your pictures are amazing . They make me desire to visit this city😀