What a majestic and colorful city! People, music, art, architecture--definitely a different "vibe" than Dublin!
Our cozy and comfortable 1-bedroom apartment is very centrally located--only minutes walk from Plaza Mayor, the Opera House and the Royal Palace. We are so lucky to be "right in the middle of things".
We spent our first couple of days just wandering around, looking at the beautiful buildings, parks and squares to get a feel for the city.
We're also near the Mercado San Miguel--a gourmet food and drink covered market originally built in 1916. Yum!
On Sundays, nearly all of Madrid (or at least it seemed that way to us), go to El Rastro which is the most popular open air flea market in Madrid. Blocks and blocks of stalls selling new products as well as antiques. We had loads of fun wandering around. And we were told that it is very popular for pickpockets as well!
On erev Rosh Hashanah, we decided not to look for a synagogue, but rather find another activity that had some Jewish content. We opted for The Spanish Inquisition Tour, one of many walking tours available in Madrid. As always, we learned a lot.
The Spanish inquisition lasted from 1478 until 1830. It was used by the church to combat heresy. Inquisitors would go out into troublesome regions, question people intensively, conduct tribunals and carry out punishments, sometimes harsh ones, like burning at the stake. Some had the choice to convert or be expelled. Depending on the time and place, the targets were not only Jews, but also heretics, Muslims, Protestants, rationalists and sometimes people who held superstitious beliefs. According to one source, in 1492, the majority of Jews in Spain (between 200,000 and 250,000) converted to Catholicism and those remaining (between 40,000 and 100,000) were forced into exile.
On Rosh Hashanah, we walked over to Parque de el Retiro. What a beautiful place! A magnificent park, filled with beautiful sculptures, monuments, galleries, a peaceful lake and 15,000 trees.
Our cozy and comfortable 1-bedroom apartment is very centrally located--only minutes walk from Plaza Mayor, the Opera House and the Royal Palace. We are so lucky to be "right in the middle of things".
We spent our first couple of days just wandering around, looking at the beautiful buildings, parks and squares to get a feel for the city.
Royal Palace
Palace gardens
Beautiful architecture
Opera House
Stuffed olives at the Mercado San Miguel
Chinese parade at Puerta del Sol
On Sundays, nearly all of Madrid (or at least it seemed that way to us), go to El Rastro which is the most popular open air flea market in Madrid. Blocks and blocks of stalls selling new products as well as antiques. We had loads of fun wandering around. And we were told that it is very popular for pickpockets as well!
El Rastro
A perspective shopper
Snack time--a chorizo empanada
Sorry, vegetarians. Madrid takes its meat very seriously.
Meat restaurant with mounted animal heads
Museo de Jambon (museum of ham)
On erev Rosh Hashanah, we decided not to look for a synagogue, but rather find another activity that had some Jewish content. We opted for The Spanish Inquisition Tour, one of many walking tours available in Madrid. As always, we learned a lot.
The Spanish inquisition lasted from 1478 until 1830. It was used by the church to combat heresy. Inquisitors would go out into troublesome regions, question people intensively, conduct tribunals and carry out punishments, sometimes harsh ones, like burning at the stake. Some had the choice to convert or be expelled. Depending on the time and place, the targets were not only Jews, but also heretics, Muslims, Protestants, rationalists and sometimes people who held superstitious beliefs. According to one source, in 1492, the majority of Jews in Spain (between 200,000 and 250,000) converted to Catholicism and those remaining (between 40,000 and 100,000) were forced into exile.
This church used to be a mosque
The extra embellishments on the edges of the cross indicate that this is also a sword
This red sword/cross is a common symbol of the Inquisition
This sign indicates the building where people were held/imprisoned waiting to be questioned or to contemplate their sins
On Rosh Hashanah, we walked over to Parque de el Retiro. What a beautiful place! A magnificent park, filled with beautiful sculptures, monuments, galleries, a peaceful lake and 15,000 trees.
Obelisk
Crystal Palace built in 1887
Close-up--beautiful tilework
Black swan
The monument to King Alfonso XII built in 1904, featuring a semicircular colonnade and an equestrian statue of the monarch on the top of a tall central pillar
Moorish tower
Ceramic tile bench in the Gardens of architect Herrero de Palacios
A great way to get around--everybody pedals!
Ministry of Agriculture
Botanical atrium at the Atocha train station
A cute way to advertise a clock shop
Plaza Mayor
Stunning photos. You make the city come alive. What a meaningful tour you did for Rosh Hashanah.
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