Madrid Things to Do Tips by El_Sueco

Almudena Cathedral - an impressing building Almudena Cathedral Review

Beside the religious themes the construction of the Cathedral is impressing. The building of the cathedral was started in 1879 but was terminated more than a century later.
See also t-log.

Artistic public work

This construction you find on the Avenida de la Illustracion. I am not sure I totally understand the use of it, but it is expressively beautiful, a sort of matematic beauty, so to say.

Address: La Avenida de la Illustracion

Plaza de Toros de las Ventas Bullfighting Review

This beautiful arena was erected in 1929. It is used for bullfighting (corridas) during the period May - October.
In September and October the arena is used for rock-concerts.
When flags are waving in the flaggstaff there is bullfighting that day.
Beside there is the Museo Taurino with exposition of memories of great toreadores and bulls.
I have put some pictures from a bullfighting in the t-logs (part1 and part2) with short explaination of the steps.

Address: Calle de Alkalá 237

Directions: Look for Puente de las Ventas, a big white arche.

Palacio de Cristal(2) Retiro Park Review

The Crystal Palace is very light, and this open stair with its columns and ionic capitals is a airy but monumental sight.

Visit Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales!(3) Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales Review

With your ticket you will also get access to the paleontological museum (on the right side of the museum) with exposition of dinosaurie (copies) and one important finding of a skeleton of a "Megatherium Americanum", found in Argentina in 1788. It was brought to Madrid and mounted as the first mammal fósil. It was also the first fósilized extincted animal that was classified in the Linnean sexual system. The animal was a leaf eater and its height was 6 meters.
This huge animal skeleton is the most valuable in the museum and one of the most important in the world!!

Address: Jos? Guti?rrez Abascal, 2

Directions: Near Paseo de la Castellana and Gregorio Mara?on.
Open time: Tuesday-Friday 10 AM-6 PM. Saturdays 10 AM - 8 PM.
Entry: 3 euros.

Phone: 914 111 328

Website: http://www.mncn.csic.es

Visit Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales! Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales Review

The collections in this museum shows the fauna mediterrainian, specially from the Iberic penisula.
The animals have been collected and studied for more than 200 years. In the museum there are more than six millions examples.
I will specially rekommend the mounting of wild animals, mostly in very natural and lively poses.
In the museum there is also a special exposition of the Iberic lobo, and the fight for its existens on location.
With your ticket you will also get access to the paleontological museum (on the right side of the museum) with exposition of dinosaurie (copies) and one important finding of a skeleton of a "Megatherium Americanum", found in Argentina in 1788.
See separate tip!

Address: José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2

Directions: Near Paseo de la Castellana and Gregorio Marañon.
Open time: Tuesday-Friday 10 AM-6 PM. Saturdays 10 AM - 8 PM.
Entry: 3 euros.

Phone: 914 111 328

Website: http://www.mncn.csic.es

Beautiful church window Almudena Cathedral Review

Always take the time to look around and also look for details. This glass church window looks fairly modern to me.

Statue at Plaza Mayor Plaza Mayor Review

King Filip III made the order to construct the Plaza Mayor.
The making of this staty was started by the italian artist Giovanni de Bologna. In the year 1616 it was concluded by Pietro Tacca, his pupil.
First it was placed at Casa de Campo, and was moved here in 1848.

Address: Main square of Madrid

Directions: Metro Sol & Opera

Mural paintings Plaza Mayor Review

Take a look at the allegorical paintings on the wall.

Address: Main square of Madrid

Directions: Metro Sol & Opera

In memory of Cristofer Columbus - Plaza Colon Plaza Colon Review

Under the water cascades at Plaza Colon there is the Centro Cultural de la Villa de Madrid.
Go down there and look at the stone map that describes the journey by Columbus. The dates and boats are indicated.
This picture just shows a part of it.
(I have always had difficulties to remember the names of the ships, until I some times ago got the explanation: The three ships were named after three prostitutes: La Pinta (the painted), La Ninja (the girl) and Maria la Galanta. As this not was a suitable name for the main ship of Columbus when going on this great journey, they changed the name to Santa Maria.)