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 Quality football on display |
Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto, 67 Madrid, Madrid 28005 Spain +34 91 366 4707 http://www.clubatleticodemadri... |
A group of Basque students living in Madrid formed this football club in 1903. By 1928, the team was playing in the Spanish First Division and have remained in the top league ever since, except for five seasons in the Second Division. The club has won nine Spanish League championships, nine King's Cups and one Spanish Champions League Cup. More recently, Atletico won the highly coveted "double," the League Championship and the King's Cup in 1996. Their home ground is Vicente Calderon Stadium, built in 1966 to hold a maximum of 56163 spectators. Events are conducted throughout the year. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Montse & Ferran |
 Photo: Montse & Ferran |
 Photo: Daniel Campoy |
 Street parties on hot nights |
Recinto Ferial San Francisco de Sales-Pablo Iglesias Madrid 28003 Spain |
Chamberi and Vallecas neighbourhoods come to life around July 16 every year to celebrate their patron saint. Secluded Plaza Chamber costs the opening ceremony as well as an open-air party and children's shows. The main action takes place over at the fairground site on the junction of Calle San Francisco and Calle Pablo Iglesias. Along with all the rides and stalls, there are games for children in the mornings and live music in the evenings. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Famous photographers on display |
La Fábrica Alameda, 9 Madrid, Madrid 28014 Spain +34 91 360 1320 http://www.phedigital.com |
Madrid becomes photography capital of the world between June and July every year. Past festivals have featured different exhibitions under the common title of Femeninos. La identidad desde la perspectiva del gnero (Women. Identity from a gender perspective). It spotlighted some of the best work by recognized Spanish and foreign artists. The major exhibition venues are Centro Cultural de la Villa, Casa de Amrica, Circulo de Bellas Artes and Museo Reina Sofa, which are supplemented by 30 smaller, private galleries. Admission is free to some (but not all) venues. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Madrid's most traditional fiestas |
Plaza Lavapiés Madrid 28012 Spain +34 91 540 4010 |
The locals get dressed up in traditional 19th-century costume, the streets are decorated and street parties are organized with live music where everyone drinks lemonade and eats aubergine fritters. These are Madrid's popular working class celebrations that involve religious processions in the evening leaving from churches on Calle Embajadores, Calle Salitre and Calle La Paloma. They take place from the first weekend in August to the middle of the month. They start with San Cayetano's feast day around Plaza de Cascorro, followed by San Lorenzo near Plaza de Lavapi and ends with La Paloma along Calle La Paloma and Las Vistillas park. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Madrid's patron saint celebrations |
Plaza Mayor / Las Vistillas Madrid, Madrid 28012 Spain |
Madrid's fiesta par excellence is one of the few chances you'll get to see madrileos take a break from business to dress in traditional 19th-century costumes to head for the fair to visit San Isidoro's chapel. You'll see theatre shows, traditional dancing, pop, rock, folk and flamenco concerts in Plaza Mayor and Las Vistillas. The big day is the Sunday closest to May 15, when the Spanish Army serves an enormous batch of cocido madrileo (typical tripe stew) for the masses in Plaza Mayor. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Osvaldo Gago  |
 Photo: Marcus Kazmierczak |
 Photo: Gustavo Siles |
 Photo: Perinola Salas |
 Photo: ToxJCD |
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Open-air parties and other festivities |
Plaza del 2 de Mayo Las Vistillas Madrid, Madrid 28004 Spain |
These celebrations commemorate the population of Madrid's resistance to Napoleon's invasion on May 2, 1808. You'll see some of the most impressive outdoor festivities in Malasaa district. Every year on the night of May 1 there's a spectacular fireworks display in Jardines de las Vistillas (Vistillas Gardens) and a traditional military display in Plaza de Oriente during the afternoon. In addition, there are bullfights in Las Ventas ring. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Coin and stamp collectors' paradise |
Plaza Mayor Madrid, Madrid 28012 Spain +34 91 540 4010 |
Taking a trip to the Coin and Stamp Collector's Market in Plaza Mayor is a perfect excuse to get to know the area and visit the sites around the plaza. On Sunday mornings, the square is lined with stalls selling coins and stamps for collectors and enthusiasts alike. This square was once a venue for bullfights as well as trials and executions during the Inquisition and now hosts concerts in summer and a Christmas Market in December. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Bonfires & Street Parties Til Midnight |
Parque de la Cornisa (San Francisco el Grande) Madrid 28026 Spain |
Bonfires and fireworks light up the night skies on Jun 22 and 23 to celebrate the summer solstice, an ancient tradition that's becoming more and more popular in Madrid. Bring along any old furniture, broken toys or even papier-mache models of politicians you despise and throw them on the flames. Try popular meeting points like Parque de la Cornisa (next to San Francisco el Grande church), Parque de San Juan (Ciudad Lineal), open spaces in Hortaleza district or Vallecas and Vicaro fairgrounds if you want to join in the fun. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Busy streets and festive fun |
Puerta del Sol Plaza Mayor Madrid 28013 Spain +34 91 5404010 |
Christmas Day in Madrid is reserved for family celebrations and a visit to one of the spectacular nativity scenes which are always set up in Plaza Mayor, Palacio Real, Casa de Campo park and the Catedral de la Almudena. There is plenty of children's entertainment over the festive season, including puppet shows in Parque del Retiro, and a circus in Las Ventas bullring. From early December there's always a bustling Christmas market selling trees, lights, sweets and decorations in Plaza Mayor. Free admission. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Happy New Year |
Puerta de Sol Madrid, Madrid 28680 Spain |
Even in the country that loves to party every weekend, this is a special occasion. To celebrate properly you'll either want to go to a private party or head for the public festivities in Puerta del Sol. This is where thousands gather to see in the New Year to the sound of the chiming clock. The crowd keeps itself merry with cider and cava (sparkling wine) and it's all transmitted live on TV. You need to take along 12 grapes to eat with each chime of the clock in order to bring you good luck throughout the year. Sparkling wine helps wash the grapes down. Free admission. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Steven Erat |
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Impressive religious celebrations |
Calle del Nuncio 14 Madrid, Madrid Spain +34 91 540 4010 |
The most spectacular part of Madrid's Easter celebrations during Semana Santa (Holy Week) are the religious processions. On Maundy Thursday, the Jess El Pobre (humble) procession sets out from San Pedro church (c/Nuncio, 15) at 7p. The popular Jess Nazareno procession leaves the Baslica de Jess de Medinacelli (Plaza de Jess, 2) at 7p on Good Friday. There's also a silent procession on Good Friday that winds its way along Calle Alcal to arrive at Puerta del Sol around 11p, bringing with it 800 participants, guards of honour and brass bands. On Holy Saturday, the procession of the Virgen Dolorosa leaves the Baslica de Jess de Medinacelli at 8a. That afternoon, the procession of Soledad sets out at 4.30p with a traditional band from the Monasterio del Corpus Christi (on Plaza Congreso de Miranda). It's worth tasting the typical sweets associated with these celebrations, called torrijas. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Madrid's largest and most popular flea-market |
Plaza de Cascorro (Plaza de Cascorro) Madrid 28005 Spain +34 91 588 2900 (tourist office) |
The capital's best-known street market fills up with people to the saturation point after noon, so if you want to wander around all the fascinating stalls in peace, you should arrive by 10a. You can stop for a drink or a bite to eat in neighboring cafes and then head for the Plaza de Cascorro, featuring the statue of Eloy Gonzalo, a Spanish soldier who challenged the Cubans in their war of independence with just a tin of petrol. Everything from clothes, furniture to house wares can be bought at this all encompassing market. No admission fee. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Jose Luis Flores... |
 Photo: Jose Luis Flores... |
 Photo: Taylor Stevens |
 Photo: yannah |
 Photo: Siona |
 Photo: Jesus Villanueva |
 Photo: Cristina Fraga |
 Photo: Dali xyz |
 Photo: Elo Ito |
 Photo: Tabaré Miró |
 Photo: Grant Beecher |
 Photo: Francisco Javier Lóp |
 Photo: Mónica Martínez |
 Photo: debajo del olivo |
 Photo: juanjo gaspar |
 Photo: MOPO/NSN997 |
 Photo: ladix |
 Photo: La casilla |
 Photo: ingrid payan |
 Photo: Alejandro |
 Spectacular Outdoor Shows |
Various venues Madrid 28005 Spain +34 (0)91 588 2900 (Tourist Information) |
Madrid's Town Hall organises outdoor cultural events that run throughout the summer months. Events include theater, dance, zarzuela (Spanish opera), cabaret, and cinema. The main venues include cuartel del Conde Duque (concerts and contemporary dance), La Muralla Arabe (theater), La Corrala (zarzuela), Parque de la Bombilla (cinema), and Parque del Retiro's Festival de Teres de Madrid (Puppet Theater). There are indoor shows as well, at Centro Cultural de la Villa (zarzuela) and Pradillo, and El Canto de la Cabra (theater). Review © 2007, Wcities |