Madrid Spain » Places of Madrid

Plaza de Castilla Madrid

admin — Sun, 10 Oct 2004 10:50:50 +0000

The square “Plaza de Castilla” is located in the north of the city, and expresses Madrids feeling as a big metropolis. Two US-american architects have created a modern city gate during the 90′s, which should symbolize the importance of Madrid as a gate of Europe.

The impressive art piece consists of two askew apartment towers which lean towards to each other in 15 grade. They are made of steel and aluminium, and covered by black glass. Their height amounts 107 metres, and there are 27 floors.

Metro 1, 9, and 10: Plaza Castilla

Plaza de Espana Madrid

admin — Thu, 07 Oct 2004 06:37:19 +0000

Plaza de Espana is a square in the centre of Madrid, which is dedicated to Spain, and can be found on the Western end of the Gran Via boulevard.

Plaza de Espana is nothing special or exciting. The square is surrounded by functional buildings in unemotional style, and a lot of traffic.

Only on the Southern part of the square seems to be a little oasis of nature. There is a little peace of meadow and some olive trees. But even there you can’t escape the noise of the traffic.

In the center of the square you are going to find a monument for Spains national hero and character in a novel “Don Quijote” on his horse called “Rosinante”, escorted by “Sancho Pansa”.

Two high buildings are the most impressing attractions around Plaza de Espana. There is the “Torre de Madrid”, a residential tower with a height of 130 metres (since 1957), and the 28-storeyed “Edificio de Espana” (since 1953).

Metro 3 and 10: Plaza de Espana

Plaza de la Villa Madrid

admin — Sun, 03 Oct 2004 07:40:28 +0000

Plaza de la Villa is known as a silent and plain square on the south side of Calle Mayor, in the district called “Madrid de los Austrias / La Latina”. Madrids city hall called “Casa de la Villa”, which was built from 1644 to 1696, is part of the place.

Some parts of the administration are accommodated in the next building which is called “Casa Cisneros”, and dates from the 16th century.

The Eastern part of Plaza de la Villa offers a look on Madrids oldest building. It’s a palace from the 15th century, which is known as “Casa y Torre de los Lujanes”.

Metro 2 and 5: Opera

German Translation

Plaza de Oriente Madrid

admin — Sun, 03 Oct 2004 07:26:37 +0000

The square called “Plaza de Oriente” is located in the district “Madrid de los Austrias / Las Latina”, directly next to the palace “Palacio Real”.

It was the idea of Napoleons brother Jose Bonaparte to create a square like this one. He was the king of Spain in 1808, and he was not too excited about the condition and character of Madrid. He prefered less narrow alleys full of nooks and crannies, and wanted more space for squares. The Plaza de Oriente was one of the ideas to follow his beliefs.

During the 90′s Plaza de Oriente became tunneled. The result was more peace and calmness. The central part of the square is greened and surrounded by stone sculptures of Visigothic kings.

The opera of Madrid is also part of the square, as well as many coffee houses which present themselfes in a very noble style.

The junction of “Calle Felipe V” offers the entrance down to Madrids underworld. If you are careful on your way down, you might see the foundations of a watch tower from the 11th century behind glass. Those traces of Madrids Islamic past were found during the 90′s, when the underground carpark was built.

Metro 2 and 5: Opera

Botanic Garden Madrid

admin — Sat, 02 Oct 2004 07:39:29 +0000

Real Jardin Botanico is the name of Madrids botanic garden, which is located directly next to the Prado museum.

The green paradise was layed out in 1781 by an order of Charles III. Real Jardin Botanico counts more than 30.000 trees from around the world. Some of them are more than 200 years old.

Metro 1: Atocha

Plaza Mayor Madrid

admin — Sat, 02 Oct 2004 06:26:15 +0000

Plaza Mayor is Madrids main square. In the centre of the square stands a monument of Phillip III on his horse. Plaza Mayor was a very important market place during the Middle Ages. Today life seems to be a bit calmer. Cafes and restaurants offer their services under open air on sunny days. Visitors enjoy the sun and try to relax.

The attraction on the north of the square is the “Casa de la Panaderia” which was the old granary for Madrids bakermen. The restaurants on the Plaza Mayor are known to be quite expensive. Experienced Madrid travellers recommend to go to the Southern part of the place, and turn into “Cava Baja” which is just 100 metres away from the main square.

Metro 1, 2, 3: Sol

Retiro Madrid

admin — Fri, 01 Oct 2004 12:37:37 +0000

Retiro is a lovely park in the center of the city, directly next to the back of Madrids world famous museum which is known as “Prado”.

The park invites to a languorous walk with melancholic thoughts on the mind. Retiro is a perfect place to sit down, close the eyes, and drift away.

There is even a scary monument of the devil in the Southern part of Retiro. Also a felicitous sculpture of Alfons XII on his horse, and two free museums of contemporary art increase the local value of Retiro park considerably.

This special kind of park offers many possible uses for the people of Madrid: oasis of silence and peace, children’s playground, dance floor, picnic spot and walking paradise.

Retiro was created in the 17th century for the kings of Madrid. Since 1868 the park is open for anyone.