Exploring Madrid Spain

Madrid, the capital city of Spain, has a population of over 3 million.  It is the largest city in Spain and the 3rd largest city in the European Union.

We visited Madrid to return our lease car.  While we were there we wanted to get a look around.  And although we had no plan in mind, we managed to see quite a few places.

The Plaza Mayor is located in central Madrid.  Construction for this plaza began in 1617 during the reign of King Phillip III.

A bronze statue of King Phillip III is in the center of the plaza.

After only walking for a little while, Luie started to complain that he had to go to the bathroom.  “We better go back home,” he said.  (A 5 hour drive).   As luck would have it, we came across a public toilet that only cost 10 euro cents.

Notice the guilty look on Luie’s face.  So, it turns out that he did not actually have to go to the bathroom.  He just did not want to walk.  Cheeky monkey!

I am noticing in my photos that I have a weakness for arches and outside eating.  Can’t help myself 🙂

The Almundena Cathedral is a Catholic Cathedral that stands right beside the palace.

The Royal Palace of Madrid (The Palacio Real de Madrid).  This was the home to the kings of Spain from Carlos III to Alfonso XIII.    It is now open to the public for tours. 

The Hall of Columns, inside the Royal Palace, is where the treaty was signed for Spain to join the European Union in 1985.

There is a lookout over the city of Madrid, just to the side of the courtyard of the palace.

Across the street and next to the palace is the Plaza de Oriente.  You can see the palace in the background.  The central statue is Philip IV.

A row of statues know as the Gothic Kings, are part of a series dedicated to the Monarchs of Spain.  Some of the statues are here in the Plaza de Oriente and the others are in the Sabatini Gardens.

I have to admit that I liked Madrid much more that I expected.  Beautiful streets and buildings.  An interesting mix of old and new.  You never knew what interesting place you were going to find around the next corner.

At the end of the day a very tired family headed back home to olive country.  But we enjoyed the sunset view out the car window on the way.   Yawn, stretch, buenos noches (good night)!