Spain – Madrid – Part II (En)

Madrid is renowned for its rich repositories of European art, including the Prado Museum’s works by Goya, Velázquez and other Spanish masters. The heart of old Madrid is the portico-lined Plaza Mayor, and nearby is the baroque Royal Palace and Armory, displaying historic weaponry.

What to eat

On our second day in Madrid, we met for lunch with my friend Elvira, my godfather’s daughter, at the Príncipe Pio metro exit. She took us to a restaurant where we shared the typical Madrid tripe, grilled mushrooms (in season), grilled vegetables and cachopo, a typical Asturian dish with beef fillets stuffed with ham and cheese with French fries. And we finish with a shot of cream similar to baileys.

What to see

Then she took us to the Spain Square, which occupies an area of ​​more than 70,000 m2 and more than 1,100 new trees have been planted. In addition to the fountain with the popular Cervantes Monument inaugurated in 1915, the square has two more fountains: one of new creation, the Fountain of Heaven, a work of makauba marble inspired by the sky of Madrid; and the one known as the Birth of Water. The square is flanked by two emblematic skyscrapers of the city: the Madrid Tower and the España Building, which currently houses the luxurious Riu Plaza España Hotel, one of the most interesting architectural complexes in the capital.

Then we went to take photos of the Royal Palace, which is the largest in Western Europe and one of the largest in the world. Its more than 135,000 square meters and 3,418 rooms have witnessed centuries of Spanish history. It is one of the few official residences of Heads of State that is open to the public. The Royal Palace dates back to the 18th century but actually sits on the site of the old Alcázar of Madrid, a medieval fortress converted into a palace and which Felipe II converted in 1561 into the official residence of the kings of Spain.

And we finished our visit to Madrid, with our friend Fina who came to the campsite to say goodbye.

And we went to Andalusia, specifically to a town called La Guardia de Jaén, in the province of Jaén, at the western end of Sierra Mágina with spectacular views and a castle of Arab origin, which you can see in the next blog!