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 Café-restaurant with fantastic views |
Plaza de Oriente, 2 Madrid, Madrid 28013 Spain +34 (0)91 541 3974 / +34 (0)91 547 1564 http://www.grupolezama.es/ |
It is much more than a café. In fact, this is a restaurant that is good enough to have been awarded a Michelin star for its creative and modern style of cooking. The house specials are cod prepared in a variety of ways and duck liver paté. There is a gourmet menu and an excellent wine cellar. The restaurant is built on top of the ruins of an old convent close to the Teatro Real, and tends to fill up after performances and on Sunday afternoons when the outdoor terrace is very popular. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: caribb  |
 Photo: Eduardo Gómez Reb. |
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Peaceful atmosphere and a historic setting |
Nuncio 12 Madrid, Madrid 28005 Spain +34 91 366 0853 |
A relaxed café, decorated in different shades of red, where you can sit and listen to the soft music in peace. It fills up at weekends, especially the outdoor terrace in summer, even though you pay extra to sit there. You would never believe that terrible crimes were committed by the Inquisition in this very same square during Spain's Golden Age. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
 Patron saint of Madrid |
Calle de Bailén Madrid, Madrid 28013 Spain +34 91 542 2200 http://www.archimadrid.es/prin... |
Madrid's cathedral took over 100 years to build, due to political conflicts, wars and a lack of financial resources. According to legend, it's named after the Virgen de la Almudena, whose icon was found during the Reconquest hidden in a house that the Arabs called al mudena. The building's exterior is an example of eclectic 19th-century design. The doors are bronze and there's an image of the Virgen (now Madrid's patron saint) on the façade. The interior is full of light, benefitting from the stained-glass windows and multi-coloured ceiling. Its grand Grezing organ gets played on Sundays, holidays and the day before holidays. Mass: 10am & midday Mon-Fri; 6pm & 7pm Sat & days preceding public holidays; 10.30am, midday, 1.30pm, 6pm & 7pm Sun & hols. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: duimdog |
 Photo: Robert Reichle |
 Photo: Maximiliano Corredor |
 Photo: José María Sotomayor |
 Photo: Dani Toscano |
 Photo: Saúl Trabanca |
 Photo: David Rodriguez Vega |
 Photo: Tomomi Sasaki |
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Paintings, baroque decor and tomb of San Isidro |
Toledo, 37 Madrid 28005 Spain +34 91 369 2037 |
The interior contains some outstanding artwork including an altarpiece by Sebastián Herrera and paintings by Claudio Coello, Herrera and Ricci. The decor is baroque, there are numerous side chapels, barrel vaulting and a huge dome. The façade features large built-in columns, a portico and a vaulted niche containing sculptures by Juan Pascual de Mena. It's also known as the Colegiata de San Isidro, as it was part of a college founded by the Jesuits in the 16th century. The remains of Madrid's patron saint, San Isidro, lie here. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Dedicated to legendary local outlaw |
Calle de los Cuchilleros 1 Madrid, Madrid 28005 Spain +34 91 366 5428 http://www.lascuevasdeluiscand... |
You can't miss the doorman here, elaborately dressed to imitate 19th-century local outlaw, Luis Candelas. The tavern is under one of the archway entrances to Plaza Mayor. The interior is a faithful representation of an old country inn and it is always full of tourists who cannot resist the temptation of entering a real time capsule. The bar serves excellent Pinchos (canapés) and the restaurant serves up typically hearty Castilian fare. It specializes in roasts from a wood-fired oven, such as Suckling Pig or Tender Lamb. The Callos (tripe) will fill you up sufficiently. There's a good selection of fine Spanish wines to choose from as well. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Boaz Dovev |
 Photo: mnemorino |
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16th and 17th-century works of art |
Plaza de las Descalzas 3 Madrid, Madrid 28013 Spain +34 91 521 2779 |
This convent's museum houses an important collection of paintings, sculpture, tapestries and precious metalwork donated to the order during the reigns of Carlos I and Felipe II. Highlights include paintings by Zurbarán, Rubens and Titian, a sculpted sepulchre of Emperatriz María by Crescenci, Juan de Mena's sculptures and Leoni's marble mausoleum. It first opened to the public in 1960 and won the European Council's special Museum of the Year award in 1987. The 16th-century convent is home to a religious community of Franciscan nuns belonging to the order of St. Clare. Admission: EUR4.20; students, over-65s & under-18s: EUR1.80. Free for EU citizens on Wednesdays. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Guillermo Hernán Góm |
 Photo: Eliézer M. Fonseca |
 Photo: Ray Yeung |
 Old Madrid's prison |
Plaza de la Provincia, 1 Madrid, Madrid 28012 Spain |
The building most representative of the architectural style popular during the Hapsburg reign has an attractive façade, main entrance, towers and interior patios. It was built as the royal jailhouse in the 17th century and famous personalities like playwright Lope de Vega, bandit Luis Candelas and General Riego were imprisoned here. You'll find it in one of the most characteristic areas of old Madrid close to Plaza Mayor. It's now used as headquarters for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is not open the public. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Fernando Hoyos |
 Photo: Jose Manuel Rodriguez |
 Photo: cachocenso |
 Photo: Toni Corretge |
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A large square opposite the Royal Palace |
Palacio Real Madrid, Madrid 28005 Spain +34 91 588 2900 (Tourism Office) |
Located opposite Palacio Real (Royal Palace), this is the city's largest, most elegant and peaceful square. It's a semi-circle of landscaped gardens planted with many varieties of trees and flowers. Statues of medieval kings line one of the walkways and Felipe IV takes centre stage. The horse he sits on was modelled on a Velázquez drawing. It's an attractive pedestrianized area with an underground car-park below and many smart cafés with outdoor terraces to choose from. The Teatro Real (Opera House) is just round the corner. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: seahorse holiday |
 Photo: Clara Jeffers |
 Photo: Troáns |
 Photo: Bernie Romero |
 Photo: Andrew Hodges |
 Photo: Carlos Hermoso R. |
 Photo: firecracker82 |
 Photo: April Shunn |
 Photo: Daniel Izod |
 Photo: manu contreras |
 Photo: Siemar |
 Photo: airelle0 |
 Photo: Eduardo Martín Blasco |
 Photo: Alberto Pérez |
 Photo: Amanda Garner |
 Photo: Fernando Lopez |
 Photo: Sally Faulks |
 Photo: Lorena Salvi |
 Photo: Nuria García |
 Photo: José Luis |
 Photo: Jake Perks |
 Photo: Alejandro Muñoz |
 Photo: pamela_henwood |
 Photo: dadaumpah |
 Photo: Susan B. O'Connell |
 Photo: ROb_é |
 Photo: Ignacio Gutiérrez |
 Photo: locodoso |
 Photo: Gregoria McGregor |
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Trendy bars and restaurants |
Plaza de la Cebada Madrid, Madrid 28005 Spain |
This square has become one of the most picturesque and trendy venues in the city over the last few years. It's surrounded by popular tapas bars, pubs and restaurants. There's a great fresh produce market on one side and if you head along Calle Cava Baja, you'll find some excellent restaurants. Look out for Almendro and the famous tavern with the same name. It's not far from Plaza de Cascorro, heart of the popular Sunday street market, or Rastro. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: caribb |
 Photo: marisa rechenberg |
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A hidden square to spend some time in |
Capilla del Obispo Madrid, Madrid 28005 Spain +34 91 588 2900 (Tourism Office) |
A remainder of medieval Madrid, it's name comes from its use at that time. This was the square where the Bishop auctioned off the straw (paja) brought from his farmland near Plasencia in the province of Cáceres. You'll find the Capilla del Obispo (Bishop's Chapel) in the next door Plaza de los Carros. Have a look at its outstanding altarpiece, tombs and doors. A stage is set up in Plaza de la Paja during the Paloma festival where people dance in the traditional madrileño style called chotis. There are some good bars and an excellent Russian restaurant (El Cosaco) round here. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: little_beanda |
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Atmospheric medieval square |
La Casa de Cisneros Madrid, Madrid 28005 Spain |
It's surprising to find such a quiet spot in Madrid. This square doesn't seem to have been affected by the passage of time and it's easy to imagine yourself in a by-gone era. It's surrounded by 15th to 17th-century aristocratic mansions that have been taken over by the Town Hall. The Lujanes tower is one of the oldest buildings in the city and features impressive stone and brickwork and three coats-of-arms decorating the doorway. Benlliure's statue of Álvaro de Bazán, commander of the Spanish Armada, graces the centre of the square. You can take a walk from here through the old town. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: David Overton |
 Photo: E. Spry & C. Corsten |
 Photo: Igor Clark |
 Photo: Alessio Corazza |
 Photo: Thiane |
 Photo: Francesco Lucconi |
 Photo: dswroth |
 Photo: DANIELA PROFETA |
 Photo: Hans Larnhof |
 Photo: Alejandro Llanes |
 Photo: Ilya Klebanov |
 Photo: clgg |
 Photo: Daniel Fernández Villanueva |
 Photo: Didier Raboud |
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Madrid's baroque religious art |
Plaza de la Encarnación, 1 Madrid, Madrid 28013 Spain +34 91 454 8800 http://www.patrimonionacional.... |
The outstanding sights in this monastery are the choir area, the main cloister, the bronze and marble sepulcher, the paintings of the Bourbon royal family, and the chapel's frescoes. However, it is best known for the miracle that happens here every July 28, when the congealed blood of Saint Panthaleon that is kept in a small container miraculously becomes liquid. The building is a fine example of post-Herrera baroque architecture (Herrera was also responsible for El Escorial Monastery). Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Literally the centre of Spain |
Plaza Puerta del Sol Madrid, Madrid 28013 Spain |
Puerta del Sol (Sun Gate) is the most popular and commercial area in the old town. Five hundred years ago it was just another city gate with an image of the sun drawn on it, hence its name. Nowadays, the square is famous for being the center of the national road network. The plaque on the pavement outside the old Post Office building denotes 'kilometer 0'. The distance between Madrid and every other part of Spain is measured from here. Thousands of revelers gather in the square once a year to await the chimes of the clock that officially announces the New Year. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Luis |
 Photo: Dorian Cols |
 Photo: Jordi Motlló Borrella - Cien de Cine |
 Grand Opera House |
Plaza de Oriente, s/n Madrid, Madrid 28013 Spain +34 91 516 0660 http://www.teatro-real.com |
Madrid's Opera House has one of the largest stages in the world and seats up to 1630 spectators. Its annual programme features the whole range of operatic styles and genre from the baroque to the contemporary, including the ever-popular work of composers like Mozart, Rossini, Verdi and Wagner. It also hosts lyric concerts and dance performances. You'll find it close to the Palacio Real (Royal Palace). Tickets are hard to come by, so book early. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Patrick GUYENNON |
 Photo: Dr.Phibes |
 Photo: anne nazemetz |
 Photo: Francisco Vicente |
 Photo: Alberto Ceballos |
 Photo: KaMpErE |
 Photo: Jennie Short |
 Photo: David González |
 Photo: , |
 Photo: respiraelviento |
 Photo: Alanna Parker |
 Photo: losmininos |
 Photo: Serena Hill |
 Photo: fulgenspa |