findme.typepad.com > Madrid

1_Plaza de la Cibeles

This Plaza is one of Madrid's best-known landmarks. Four important buildings surround the traffic circle but only one, Palacio de Comunicaciones, is seen in this picture.

2_Palacio_de_communicaciones

This fanciful building is the headquarters of the Spanish Post Office. Maybe I wouldn't mind postal increases in Spain if I knew it were going to towards the upkeep of this buidling.

In the picture you can also see Fuente de Cibeles (Fountain of Cybele) which stands in the middle of the traffic circle. This fountain shows the goddess of nature sitting in her chariot which is drawn by two lions. It was designed in the 18th century.

3_Paseo_del_prado2

This picture shows a bit of my walk toward Museo del Prado. In the distance you can see the top of the Post Office.

4_Paseo_del_prado

Colorful flowers had recently been planted in the walkways. I guess it is in preparation for Easter.

5_Prado2

This is a picture of the western frontage of Museo del Prado. The statue is of Velasquez.

6_Lips2_prado

This is the bronz lip sculpture outside Museo del Prado.

7_Face_prado

The facial scultures outside the Prado were huge and fascinating.

8_Face2_prado

What can I say, another face that I couldn't resist snapping...

9_Museo_de_arte_reina_sofia

Picasso awaits me. And if I had been thinking, I could have grabbed a bit of tapas in one of the small restaurants in this square. Maybe it's best that I didn't though because it probably wouldn't have been good. It was a bit touristy here.

Oh, by the way, I read this museum used to be Madrid's General hospital.

a_Guernica

I was able to seen a photo of Guernica in the museum. I was lucky to get a pic without anyone standing in front of it. There were constant crowds here. It's extremely popular with locals and tourists.

From what I read, Picasso asked that this painting NOT be displayed in Spain until democracy was re-established. It hung in a New York Gallery until 1981.

b_Old_madrid

I didn't think to snap a pic on the street when I was absolutely alone. But, this gives you a sense of how quaint the streets are in the old part of the city.

c_Plaza_mayor2

This square dates back to the 17th century and has been the sight of bull fights, executions, pageants and trials by the Inquisition.

The atmosphere was much more lighthearted when I visited.

d_Felipe_iii_plaza_mayor

This statue stands in the center of the square. According to my guidebook it is Felipe III who ordered the square to be built in 1617.

e_Plaza_mayor

This pic makes it official -- I was in Plaza Mayor.