Plaza Mayor and other Madrid, Spain Things to Do Tips

Plaza Major - Panaderia building.

In the heart of Madrid the Plaza Mayor is steeped in history. Originally an Arab marketplace, In 1590 King Phillip II had it removed and a grand structure put in its place, to be used as a marketplace and meeting place. The original wooden structure 6 stories high, burnt down in 1790, when the present 'Casa de la Panader�a' was built in the Flemish style. The statue in the centre of the square represents Phillip III.

Today its a typical place for visitors to gather, to relax and watch the world go by at the many Tapas bars. Try the typical Bocata de Calamares (Squid sandwich) and a beer. Its also a great central meeting place for VT meetings :0)

See the webcam at the link below.

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Address: Near Puerta del Sol.
Directions: Metro Sol & Opera stations
Website: http://www.multimadrid.com/hogar.htm

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Plaza Mayor: Plaza Mayor - Panaderia.

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Written by Beach_dog

on Sep 14, 2003

Details on the Panaderia.

One of the finest buildings in Madrid, the Panaderia was the offices of the guild of bakers. Built in the Flemish style, with its twin towers and its walls ornately decorated with paintings or murals. The murals are of fairly recent origin, in 1992 the mythologal images were added in bright colours.
Through the centuries the building has seen bullfights, the burning of heretics, royal processions and military parades in the plaza below.

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Address: Near Puerta del Sol.
Directions: Sol & Opera metro stations

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Puerta del Sol: Puerta del Sol & Casa de Correos

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Written by Beach_dog

on Sep 14, 2003

Casa de Correos

The Old Post house, its now become the offices of Madrid's Council. It was built in 1768 with it's tower with four sided clock. The clock (and the plaza below) have become the centre point of Madrid's New Year celebrations, if your here for New Year this is the place to be at midnight.

Peuerta del Sol ( Sun gate ) was once the location of one of the cities gate in its fortified walls.

A statue you will see in the Plaza is a replica of "La Mariblanca'' White Venus, the original is now in the Municipal Museum.

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Address: The "center" of Madrid

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Puerta del Sol: Puerta del Sol - Kilometer Zero

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Written by Beach_dog

on Sep 14, 2003

Km 0

This paving slad located outside the Casa de Correos marks the point from whick all the roads radiating out from Madrid are measured. It could be said to be the center of Spain.
I must admit I was a little disappointed at how small and insignificant it was, if it had not been pointed out to me I'm sure I would have missed it. It was also badly in need of renovation, over the years its been worn away by the feet of many tourists as myself.

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Address: The "center" of Madrid
Directions: Outside the Casa de Correos (now a government building), Puerta del Sol.

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Puerta del Sol: Puerta del Sol - Oso y Madro�o

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Updated by Beach_dog

on Dec 19, 2004

Oso y Madro�o

As I mentioned in my introduction this statue has become an icon of Madrid. Oso y Madro�o ( Bear and the Berry Tree ) has become Madrids emblem. Its located at the end of Calle Carmen on the Puerta del Sol.

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Address: The "center" of Madrid

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Puerta del Sol: Puerta del Sol - Statue of Carlos III

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Written by Beach_dog

on Sep 14, 2003

Statue of Carlos III

Carlos III ( Charles III ) King of Spain 1759-1788. The statue was only erected in 1992, to honour him for the improvements he made in the city. For this reason earlier Madrilenos called him the Mayor of the city. The history of his life is written on the white plinth of the statue.

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Address: The "center" of Madrid

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Almudena Cathedral: Catedral de la Almudena

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Written by Beach_dog

on Sep 15, 2003

Catedral de la Almudena

Madrid's Cathedral is relatively modern, construction of the crypt started in 1883 and the building took over 100 years to construct. Construction was delayed because of the Spanish civil war and times of economic crises. In 1993 the Cathedral was finally consecrated.

It was called La Almudena after the Virgin of Almudena to whom it is dedicated. When the christians recaptured the area from the Moors, they found the icon of the virgin in a house called 'Al Mudena'.

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Almudena Cathedral: Catedral de la Almudena - The crypt.

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Written by Beach_dog

on Sep 15, 2003

Sunlight on a column.

We started our tour by entering the crypt, I dont think people would notice the doorway at the end of the cathedral.

I managed to capture this photograph of the base of a column, the early morning sunlight was falling through the stain glass window and the effect was interesting.

The crypt mostly has the burials of many of Spains more well known or richer folks from the last century. Some were quite new.

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Almudena Cathedral: Catedral de la Almudena - Ceiling decorations.

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Written by Beach_dog

on Sep 15, 2003

Decorated ceilings

In the cathedral itself one feature you will immediately see (if you look up) are the fantastically decorated ceilings. They along with the stained glass windows make the cathedral surprisingly light inside.

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Almudena Cathedral: Catedral de la Almudena - Windows

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Written by Beach_dog

on Sep 15, 2003

Stained glass windows