Here we are, year two in Morocco. Following four work days and three days with students at GWA, the second of two annual Eid holidays of the year arrived. Amid the "baas" of stereo sheep, we left the city and drove to the airport. Since we had purchased our own car at the end of May, there was no need to call on Hamada - - we felt like adults actually driving ourselves! Anyway, despite the holiday, Mohammed V was surprisingly-not-crowded, and so began our first official trip of the school year, Madrid, Spain.
Our hotel, the Barcelo Torre de Madrid, is located in the center of Spain's capitol on the Plaza de Espana. The Plaza across the street from the hotel, is a green park with two beautiful fountains.
Famous Spanish designer Jaime Hayon designed the hotel, which was converted from the iconic building of the same name. The nine-floor structure used to be considered the tallest concrete building in the world. It's truly a first class facility, with a crystal clear spa pool, rooftop sunbathing area and newly-renovated 258 rooms. Most importantly it is located in the center of the city with fast access to the palace, Gran Via and other sties. We enjoyed staying there and highly recommend it.
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| I love the look of European water bottles! |
The Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real in Spanish) is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. The Royal Palace is probably the most famous of the twelve in the city. We arrived there on our first morning in Madrid just before the 10AM opening. We walked by just as the changing of the guard began, with fife and drums, horses and rifles.
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| Palace guards |
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| Palace Guards |
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| Palacio Real, Royal Palace of Madrid |
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| Richard, guarding the palace |
While the palace is currently not the official residence of the King of Spain, state ceremonies and other state functions do take place there. The current monarch, Felipe VI, actually lives in the Zarauela Palace outside of the city.
The palace has Muslim origins like many we have visited in various countries. The Muslim Kingdom of Toledo built a defense on the site in the 9th century, which was later used by the Kings of Castile (forerunners of the modern Spanish monarchs). In the 16th Century, the Alcázar Castle was constructed there. Alcázar was subsequently destroyed in a fire in 1734, and then King Felipe V decided to build a palace on the site.
Italian designer Filippo Juvara designed the 1,450,000 square foot grand palace, the largest in Europe. It is similar in style to France's Versailles, which we saw last year. Vaulted stone and brick were used in construction, rather than wood, so the structure could never be destroyed by fire. Construction years were 1738-1755, and the first king to establish residence there was Carlos (Charles) III, in 1764. It seems like Carlos the III is the man-about-town in Madrid!
The palace has Muslim origins like many we have visited in various countries. The Muslim Kingdom of Toledo built a defense on the site in the 9th century, which was later used by the Kings of Castile (forerunners of the modern Spanish monarchs). In the 16th Century, the Alcázar Castle was constructed there. Alcázar was subsequently destroyed in a fire in 1734, and then King Felipe V decided to build a palace on the site.
Italian designer Filippo Juvara designed the 1,450,000 square foot grand palace, the largest in Europe. It is similar in style to France's Versailles, which we saw last year. Vaulted stone and brick were used in construction, rather than wood, so the structure could never be destroyed by fire. Construction years were 1738-1755, and the first king to establish residence there was Carlos (Charles) III, in 1764. It seems like Carlos the III is the man-about-town in Madrid!
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| One of the inner courtyards, pic taken from inside the palace |
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| Vaulted Stone |
Photos were not allowed in many of the rooms, but we were allowed to take pictures as we ascended the grand staircase. The staircase itself is made of a single piece of San Agustin marble (how is that possible?). The fresco above the stairs was created by Corrado Giaguinto and represents Religion Protected by Spain.
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| Awesome frescos, ornately decorated ceilings |
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| Carlos III enjoying time with Richard, Statue imitation |
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| Almudena Cathedra |
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| Royal Armory |
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| Royal Armory |
There was also a temporary art exhibition housed at the palace while we were there. It is called Carlos III Majesty and Ornament in the Environment of the Enlightened King (now that's a mouthful!). Carlos III was an art lover, and we got to see paintings, sculptures, and tapestries produced during his reign as King on display. I particularly enjoyed examining two smaller paintings, both by Pietro Fabris. They are called "Departure of Charles III of Bourbon for Spain", 1759, and are folklike in nature. I loved looking closely at the detail and observing the action. The two works were created from different perspectives, which added to my interest.
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| Pietro Fabris Painting |
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| Close-up detail |
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Close-up detail
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| Close-up detail |
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| Close-up detail |
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| Tapestry on display; how long would it take to make this by hand? |
Carlos's extravagant tapestry bed
View of Madrid from the Castle
After dinner, we strolled around and got an evening perspective of the area near our hotel. The fountains all lit up looked even more beautiful at night.
We spent most of Sunday, our second and last full day, on a hop-on/off type bus tour. We got to see a lot of the city this way. It was very pleasant sitting up high, listening through earphones, and learning about Madrid. I am particularly fond of the many fountains, statues, and interesting architecture we saw along the way. Here are some pictures from the tour.
Seen on a storefront . . .
The Gran Via (the big road) runs straight through the city centre. It is an upscale shopping street, with theatres and restaurants. AKA Spanish Broadway, there are musicals and other shows playing, all in Spanish . . .
Beautiful fountains are found throughout the city . . .
I'm really not sure how they did this! It looks like plants and small bushes growing on the side of a building. The second picture is a close up . . .
Home stadium for the Real Madrid soccer team . . .
This small stone slab marks the geographical center of Spain and is the point from which all distances are measured in this country. Specifically, it's the starting point for measuring the distances of the country’s six national roads, A-1 to A-6. If you look carefully at the center, you can see the map of the six roads radiating out. The Origen de Las Carreteras Radiales or Kilometer Zero. . . .
Yes, the man below is real and balancing on his arm (Richard thinks he has some sort of frame under his costume) . . .
Richard meets Mr. Bean/Rowan Atkinson . . .
There are six gates into the city of Madrid. La Puerta de Alcalá gate is a granite monument built in the neoclassical style. This gate is older than the similar Arc de Triomphe that we saw in Paris, and is also a triumphal arch. It was designed by Italian architect Francesco Sabatini and erected to celebrate the arrival of Carlos III to Madrid. Madrid really is all about this King! . . .
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| Carlos's extravagant tapestry bed |
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| View of Madrid from the Castle
After dinner, we strolled around and got an evening perspective of the area near our hotel. The fountains all lit up looked even more beautiful at night.
 
We spent most of Sunday, our second and last full day, on a hop-on/off type bus tour. We got to see a lot of the city this way. It was very pleasant sitting up high, listening through earphones, and learning about Madrid. I am particularly fond of the many fountains, statues, and interesting architecture we saw along the way. Here are some pictures from the tour.
Seen on a storefront . . .
The Gran Via (the big road) runs straight through the city centre. It is an upscale shopping street, with theatres and restaurants. AKA Spanish Broadway, there are musicals and other shows playing, all in Spanish . . .
             
I'm really not sure how they did this! It looks like plants and small bushes growing on the side of a building. The second picture is a close up . . .
 
Home stadium for the Real Madrid soccer team . . .
  This small stone slab marks the geographical center of Spain and is the point from which all distances are measured in this country. Specifically, it's the starting point for measuring the distances of the country’s six national roads, A-1 to A-6. If you look carefully at the center, you can see the map of the six roads radiating out. The Origen de Las Carreteras Radiales or Kilometer Zero. . . . 
Yes, the man below is real and balancing on his arm (Richard thinks he has some sort of frame under his costume) . . .
Richard meets Mr. Bean/Rowan Atkinson . . .
There are six gates into the city of Madrid. La Puerta de Alcalá gate is a granite monument built in the neoclassical style. This gate is older than the similar Arc de Triomphe that we saw in Paris, and is also a triumphal arch. It was designed by Italian architect Francesco Sabatini and erected to celebrate the arrival of Carlos III to Madrid. Madrid really is all about this King! . . .
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The Museo del Jabon, the museum of ham; it's just a restaurant chain, but you'd never find this in Morocco :-) . . .
Madrid has more high speed rail connections to other countries than any other. Here is Madrid's Atocha railway station . . .
Teatro Real Opera House . . .
Moroccan Embassy in Madrid . . .
Palacio de Cibeles or Madrid's City Hall; yes, that really says "Refugees Welcome" on a banner! . . .
Spain's flag . . .
Our last evening was spent strolling around the castle area, eating Paella, listening to street harp musicians, and watching the sunset behind the castle. Below are some images we captured.
The last remaining parts of the Madrid fence of 1567. The fence established the limits of the town during the reign of Phillip II . . .
Plaza de Oriente, Statues of old Spanish kings . . .
Camouflage tree and matching statue . . .
Richard and Don Quixote . . .
Sharing a delicious pan of paella for dinner . . .
Watching the sunset behind the palace . . .
A great first trip of the school year behind us already. We can't wait for the next adventure!
The Museo del Jabon, the museum of ham; it's just a restaurant chain, but you'd never find this in Morocco :-) . . .
 
Madrid has more high speed rail connections to other countries than any other. Here is Madrid's Atocha railway station . . .
 Teatro Real Opera House . . .  Moroccan Embassy in Madrid . . .  Palacio de Cibeles or Madrid's City Hall; yes, that really says "Refugees Welcome" on a banner! . . . 
Spain's flag . . .
Our last evening was spent strolling around the castle area, eating Paella, listening to street harp musicians, and watching the sunset behind the castle. Below are some images we captured.
The last remaining parts of the Madrid fence of 1567. The fence established the limits of the town during the reign of Phillip II . . .  Plaza de Oriente, Statues of old Spanish kings . . .  Camouflage tree and matching statue . . .  
Richard and Don Quixote . . .
Sharing a delicious pan of paella for dinner . . .
 
Watching the sunset behind the palace . . .
  A great first trip of the school year behind us already. We can't wait for the next adventure!  |
Looks so romantic.... glad you had a wonderful time!
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