Madrid Date(s): 10-14-24-2011. Album by Poggi. Photos by Poggi. 1 - 73 of 73 Total. 1185 Visits.
1 Intersection of Calle Acalá and Grand Vía. Metro Building with Roman Godess ,"Victoria,"on top. The Gran Via is to the right, heading towards our hotel.
2 From the balcony of our hotel, a march of the "Indignados," Spain's version of the "occupiers," heading for a demonstration in the "Puerta del Sol."
3 The Indignados were a mix of young and old, and locals and at least one foreigner!(Thats me on the right!)
4 "El Oso and Madroño," in the Puerta del Sol. One of the most iconic sites in Madrid. The bear and the Madroño tree are used as symbols for many of the city agencies.
5 The "Tio Pepe, " sign was down for repair. The "indignados," posted signs on the building over-looking the Puerta del Sol.
6 The zero marker. From which all roads in Spain are measured. It is located in the Puerta del Sol.
7 "The Rastro," a Sunday flea market in Madrid's Latina section. This is a very intersesting experience, very crowded. As with any large crowd be alert for pickpockets, but don't be disuaded from going. Just secure your things! We made many purchases and had a great time.
8 Plaza de Cibeles. The Goddess Cibeles reigns over this huge plaza and intersection.The fountain of Cibeles has been adopted by the football club Real Madrid, whose fans use the area to celebrate its triumps. A flag of Real Madrid is usually wrapped around the Cibeles statue.
9 The Metropolis Building or Edificio Metrópolis, is an office building in Madrid, Spain, at the corner of the Calle de Alcalá and Gran Vía. Inaugurated in 1911
10 The Roman Goddess, "Victoria, " atop the Metropolis Building, Madrid, Spain.(circa 1917)
11 La Plaza de España Monument to Cervantes, and his famous characters, Don Quixote de La Mancha and Sancho Panza
12 The Plaza de Cascorro, with its statue dedicated to Eloy Gonzalo, who was a Spanish soldier who fought in the Cuban War of Independence in which he distinguished himself and is regarded as a hero.
13 Also outside the Prado museum, a tribute to Spanish artist Goya!
14 Outside the Prado Museum is this statue of Spain's world famous artist Diego Velázquez. What a joy it was to see his work in person!
15 Typical of many of Madrid's buildings, works of art look down upon you as you pass by. Don't be too fixated on what's in front of you! Look up!
16 Figures on top of the "Puerta de Acalá, MAdris, Spain
17 Typical of many of Madrid's buildings, works of art look down upon you as you pass by. Don't be too fixated on what's in front of you! Look up!
18 On calle Alcalá,Madrid Spain, the world famous. "Instituto Cervantes."
19 We went to this musical performance which incorporated many of the songs of the famous singer Joaquín Sabina. Mas de Cien Mentiras is one of his best!(More than a hundred lies!)
20 The Puerta de Alcalá ("Alcalá Gate") is a Neo-classical monument in the Plaza de la Independencia ("Independence Square") in Madrid.
21 A grateful Madrid dedicated this plaque to all those who helped out in the aftermath of the attacks on Madrid's metro stations on March 11, 2004. It is located in the Puerta del Sol.
22 El Edificio Grassy, Gran Vía 1, in Madrid, Spain.Built around 1917 houses the upscale Grassy Jewlers.
23 The Royal Palace.
24 We stayed at El Hotel "Las Letras," right on the Gran Vía! This is a view from our balcony.
25 The most prominent of the buildings at the Plaza de Cibeles is the Cibeles Palace (formerly named Communications Palace).This impressive building was home to the Postal and Telegraphic Museum until 2007 when the landmark building became the Madrid City Hall (Ayuntamiento de Madrid).
26 Nicaraguan poet Ruben Dario, was honored with this statue from the city of Madrid.
27 Catedral de la Almudena, Madrid: This beautiful cathedral took more than a century to complete. Located next to the Royal Palace. In 1993 Pope Paul consecrated this cathedral.
28 A Mariachi band in the Puerta del Sol, Madrid, Spain
29 Statue to CHristopher Colmbus in the Plaza names after him, Madrid, Spain
30 Entrance to the Retiro Park, Madrid, Spain
31 Monument to King Alfonso, EL Retiro, MAdrid, Spain
32 The Monument to King Alfonso XII is located in Buen Retiro Park (El Retiro), Madrid, Spain. The monument is situated on the east edge of an artificial lake near the center of the park.
33 The "Estanque," in the Retiro park, Madrid
34 The only statue to the devil in all of Europe! "The Fallen Angel, " in the Retiro, Madrid, Spain
35 Translation; "The most brillant minds come to Madrid!"
36 "La Fuente de Neptuno," was constructed about 1783 from Marble brought from Toledo. It is really a beautiful statue.
37 "The Indignados," took over the Hotel of Madrid which was undergoing renovations. They occupied it for nearly two months before they were finally removed.
38 From our balcony. The Gran Via is lit up all night!
39 The Alcázar of Toledo is a stone fortification located in the highest part of Toledo, Spain. Once used as a Roman palace in the 3rd century, it was restored under Charles I and Philip II of Spain in the 1540's. In 1521, Hernán Cortés was received by Charles I at the Alcázar, following Cortes' conquest of the Aztecs.
40 Toledo City Hall
41 The Puente de Alcántara is an arch bridge in Toledo, Spain, spanning the Tagus River. Is was built by the Roman occupiers of antiquity.
42 The ancient walls surrounding the old city were very impressive.
43 Indicative of the arabic occupation of Toledo are the numerous buildings displaying the typically arabic syle of architecture.
44 This store sold armor and swords and knives made with the same careful and unique style of ancient Toeldo.
45 Puerta del Sol, Toledo.
46 This is called, "La Puerta del Sol." (of Toleddo)
47 This is an uncovered "Roman Road, " from 190 BC(Toledo, Spain)
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49 Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo. The Portal de Perdón.(The door of Forgiveness.)
50 The Primate Cathedral of Saint Mary of Toledo. The Portal de Perdón.(The door of Forgiveness.)
51 The Virgen Blanca, Cathedral of Toledo.
52 The Virgen Blanca. Toledo, Spain
53 Above the altar of "The Transparente," In the Cathedral of Toledo,this work consisting of several stone carved figures, was done in such a way as to permit the entrance of light into the Cathedral.
54 El Transparente a Baroque altarpiece in the Cathedral of Toledo.
55 El Transparente is a Baroque altarpiece in the ambulatory of the Cathedral of Toledo. Its name refers to the unique illumination provided by a large skylight cut very high up into the thick wall across the ambulatory, and another hole cut into the back of the altarpiece itself to allow shafts of sunlight to strike the tabernacle Edit
56 A cafe in the Jewish section of Toledo.
57 Running potable water near the Cathedral, Toeldo, Spain
58 The Synagogue of Santa Maria Blanca. This was once a synagogue in the medieval Jewish quarter of Toledo. The style is Mudéjar, evident primarily in the shape of the arches and in the ornamental horizontal moldings with geometrical knotted designs. In the mid-16th century this synagogue was transformed to a Christian church.
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60 The chains hanging on the exterior walls of the church are especially noteworthy. They refer to the prisoners freed during the long Granada campaign and were hung in 1494, as a votive offering and a symbol of the triumph of Christian faith.
61 These arqueologists are uncovering an ancient wall in the outskirts of Toledo.
62 The double headed eagle is the symbol of Toledo, Spain.
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66 The Royal Palace at Aranjuez
67 The Gardens of the Royal Palce afre very extensive and beautiful.
68 El Concierto de Aranjuez es una composición musical para guitarra y orquesta del compositor español Joaquín Rodrigo. Escrito en 1939. Se considera la obra musical española más interpretada en el mundo, y su adagio es su movimiento más conocido.
69 The Gardens of Aranjuez are replete with sculptures, flowers, water and fowl
70 Walking in these beautiful gardens was a sobering experiance. What beauty!
71 While in the Royal Gardens, my wife and I listened to Jose Feliciano's version of ,"Concierto de Aranjuez," and, as suggested by the lyrics, reaffirmed our love for each other, in this garden, so far far away from our home!
72 Junto a ti, al pasar las horas o mi amor hay un rumor de fuente de cristal, que en el jardín parece hablar, en voz baja a las rosas. Dulce amor, esas hojas secas sin color, que barre el viento sus recuerdos de romances de un ayer, huellas y promesas hechas con amor en Aranjuez. Entre un hombre y una mujer, en un atardecer, que siempre se ve envuelta. A mi amor, mientras vas si quiera con fervor, no dejaran las flores de brotar, ni ha de faltar al mundo paz, ni calor a la Tierra. Yo seguie, que hay palabras huecas sin amor que lleva el viento y que nadie las oyo con atencion, pero otras palabras suenan o mi amor al corazon como notas de canto nupcial y asi te quiero hablar si en Aranjuez me esperas. Luego al caer la tarde se escucha un rumor es la fuente que oi parece hablar con las losas, en Aranjuez con tu amor.
73 Sulpture, Aranjuez, Gardens of the Royal Palace.
