| |
 |
| Welcome
to Madrid it Vortal City Network |
 |
|
| The "Parque
del Buen Retiro" -one of Madrid 's largest
parks, was established in the sixteen hundreds
as a place for the royalty to relax during
lent and the periods of mourning. Actually,
the 140 green hectares of today's park is
just a fraction of the original park where
there were numerous palaces and royal residences.
|
 |
This park is one of the favorite places
of the residents of Madrid and it is a
must on every tourist's itinerary. A promenade
on the park must include a visit to the
Crystal Palace -a greenhouse built on
iron and glass of the eighteen hundreds,
and to the Palacio Velazquez. The "estanque"
(artificial lake) can be appreciated either
comfortably seated next to the Equestrian
Statue of Alfonso XIII or navigating its
waters on a rental boat.
|
|
|
A common extension to the itinerary in Madrid
is a visit to the Monastery El Escorial,
located less than 50 km away from the capital.
The monumental complex, built by Phillip
II in the shape of a "grill" to honor the
Martyr Saint Lawrence, is among the favorite
destinations for the international tourists.
It is difficult to prioritize the things
to see due to the richness of this complex.
Here are some of the must see sites of your
visit: the Basilica that houses 44 altars,
the royal apartments, the halls of the battles,
the Chapter Houses where the work of Spanish
and Italian masters of painting can be admired,
and the Library that houses over 40 thousand
volumes.
|
|
|
Among the most famous soccer stadiums of
the entire continent, the Santiago Bernabeu
is probably where the most number of triumphs
have been celebrated during the past few
years. The legendary Real Madrid plays it
home games in this stadium after the 50's.
The Madrilean team is one of the most famous
soccer teams in the entire world. Inside
this stadium there is an exhibit of the
numerous trophies, as well as some paraphernalia
of the champion.
 |
If
the visit to the Stadium is reserved
to the adults, the Parque de Atracciones
is reserved to the entertainment of
the little ones. Located inside the
Parque de la Casa de Campo, this park
offers both the classic attractions
of The Park of the Moon as well as
other zones dedicated to the discovery
of antiquity, nature and fantasy.
|
To have both parents and
children agree, there is the Zoo - Aquarium
also located at the Casa de Campo. It is
worth a visit for the perfect simulation
of the habitats of both the Zoo and the
Aquarium -that features also a dolphin show.
|
|
|
|
It is the most important event of the year
for Madrid . It is the feast that celebrates
the life of the beloved patron of the city
and it represents a must for the citizens
of Madrid .
|
It starts the 15 th
of May with a series of concerts, exhibits
and spectacles where it is not hard to find
people dressed with the typical "Castizo".
The most important event is the "Festival
Taurino" that fills the legendary "Plaza
de Toros de la Ventas" for an entire month
with daily bullfights.
|
 |
|
|
Among the protagonists
of the "Golden Century" -the famous Spanish
period between the fifteen and sixteen hundreds,
Miguel de Cervantes and Felix Lope de Vega
embodied the Madrid of their time. The writer
of Don Quixote was born in the Madrilean
province of Alcalá de Henares , and
was buried in the capital. His birthplace
-33 km away from Madrid , celebrates his
life with the special "Tren de Cervantes,"
that departs from the Atoche Train Station
and takes the tourist to the discovery of
the Birth house of the writer.
Lope de Vega embodies the
inspiration of the Madrilean Atmosphere
through his activities of comedian and poet.
His House (now also a museum) still contains
the furniture of the author and is located
on the Cervantes Street . |
|
|
|
|
|
|
