The streets of Madrid, part III !!!

Posted in Madrid, Spain
For me it is always Madrid time. I come back to this wonderful historic ,architecturally stunning, and humane friendly city of my youth and ever lasting life. Madrid is and will be Madrid to heavens and a hole in the sky to look down on it every day. Is all of Spain in one, or Spain, is everything under the Sun. I like to tackle a huge subject as briefly as possible. The streets of Madrid, there are many good ones, hard to do, however, I will choose some that are dear to me for been by them the most over the course of my already long life. First, I have written before on the districts of Madrid, the barrios of my Madrid; proud to say mine was Ciudad Lineal in the neighborhood of Quintana in another era long ago. Mind you I have written posts on many of them individually in my blog, therefore this post will be in my black and white series, no pictures. Now, let me tell you again on the streets of Madrid , part III !!! . Hope you enjoy the post as I Calle Fuencarral, Tree-lined Calle Fuencarral draws the line between funky Malasaña and gay-friendly Chueca neighborhoods. Life is slower here, with locals doing their shopping and enjoying coffee breaks. Don’t miss Mercado de San Ildefonso, a New York-inspired indoor food market that, unlike Madrid’s more traditional food markets, spans three floors. it is a popular shopping street and tourist area. It also serves as the dividing line between the Chueca and Malasaña neighborhoods of downtown Madrid. Calle del Espiritu Santo, closer to the heart of Malasaña, smaller Calle del Espíritu Santo is the quintessence of this neighbourhood, with a unique mix of street art, cobblestones and colourful coffee shops. Here you’ll see locals walking their dogs, dragging their bikes along and chatting with friends. If local charm is what you’re looking for, this street is definitely one you shouldn’t skip. Calle de las Huertas, this calm street runs through the literary neighbourhood of Huertas, also commonly known as Las Letras (“The Letters”). Here you can literally follow the quotes of famous writers, looking down at golden letters on the pavement. Calle de las Huertas is most atmospheric at night when its many tapas bars come to life and beckon you inside. Calle de Serrano, often called La Milla de Oro (the golden mile), the street is one of the most exclusive in Madrid, thanks to the high-end boutiques and shops that line it. Here you’ll find the typical fancy stores like Prada and Gucci as well as many expensive Spanish shops too. It’s also home to the newly renovated Museo Arqueológico Nacional, featuring many permanent exhibits related to Prehistory, Medieval Times, ancient Greece and more. Puerta del Sol,  more commonly known as just Sol, is the square in the heart of Madrid (and indeed, the whole of Spain). The distances of Spain are measure from here in km zero. Famous features include the Royal Post Office that serves as the president of Madrid’s office. It’s also where locals gather every New Year’s Eve to ring in the new year.  Plaza de Oriente, this pretty plaza is in front of the Royal Palace. Also nearby are Teatro Real, the city’s opera house originally built in 1818, and the Royal Monastery of the Incarnation, a women’s convent. Calle de Segovia, This meandering street in the historic Palacio (Royal) neighborhood passes by the best paella restaurant in Madrid. El Arrozal, and Arroceria D’Stapa. It also goes under the city’s famous viaduct, which is pedestrian friendly. Plaza San Andrés,  at this grandiose Romanesque ,Church of San Andrés and especially the dome of the Chapel of San Isidro. To one side is also conserved the building of the old Palace of the Counts of Paredes (walls), rehabilitated since 2000 as Museum of the Origins and House of San Isidro . The children play outside while their parents drink in the vibrant cafe around the corner. Plaza Santa Ana, designed in 1810, the square  became a favorite of intellectuals, poets, artists and writers, including American writer Ernest Hemingway. It features many cafes and Teatro Español, Madrid’s oldest theater, which opened in 1583. Plaza de la Paja, which means “straw square,” is said to be the oldest plaza in Madrid. At the bottom of this sloping square is a garden called Jardín del Príncipe Anglona. Plaza de Espana, if you reach Plaza España from Gran Via, your first impressions of Plaza España may not be so great. However, the plaza is bigger than it first appears. You’ll find some of Madrid’s tallest skyscrapers here. As as the statue to Miguel de Cervantes y Saavedra, writer of Don Quijote. Recently reopened completely renovated with underground vehicular road and pedestrian square on top!  Calle Mayor, lined with some of Madrid’s most beautiful monuments, the street is home to Plaza Mayor, starting at the Puerta del Sol and ending up next to Madrid’s Almudena Cathedral. You’ll also stroll by several plazas, such as the lovely Plaza de la Villa, a few churches,  and souvenir shops. Plus, you’re right near the famous Mercado de San Miguel, where you can stop by for some tapas and a glass of wine mid-walk. Calle Virgen del Sagrario, ok not a famous one ,but I lived around the corner as a young boy with my mother at Calle de Alcala St 331 corner with Calle Virgen del Sagrario , metro Quintana line 5 was just outside the front door. If you go into this street, you reach the wonderful  Parque El Calero in those days, and the best patatas bravas of Madrid since 1963 across the street in the Plaza de Quintana, Docamar, still there! Further down you have Victor’s Calzados (shoes) store at 278 Alcala St, where my mother bought me my shoes as a boy and I came back to buy them for my sons, traditions of my Madrid and Spain.  My old school Colegio Obispo Perello here since 1955 the first stone was laid, right along this street and near the park. Right there is a parish Church of Our Lady of Lluc (Mallorca)  my mother went with me Parroquia Nuestra Señora De Lluc; even thus later we went to one closer to Retiro Park, San Manuel and San Benito Church at Alcala st 83 near metro Retiro, line 2. Wonderful memories all very well guarded in my heart. The Madrid tourist office on maps to guide in the city : https://www.esmadrid.com/en/maps-and-essential-guides The Comunidad de Madrid tourist office on walks of the streets of Madrid: https://www.comunidad.madrid/en/cultura/organiza-tu-visita/paseo-calles-madrid There you go folks, hope you get an idea of the wonders behind these streets, just walking them with nice architecture and educational history, and just good things will show up upon you.  Madrid, a living museum above ground, Again, hope you enjoy the post on the streets of Madrid , part III !!! as I. And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
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Published by pedmar10

I am a lover of travels to Europe , Americas , Africa and Asia as well ,who like to share my experiences of the last 53 years with the world, visiting so far 81 countries; living in 6, working in 5, and Citizen of 4, speaking fluently 4 languages. I can deal with sports especially football/soccer and love music, arts, wine collector/drinker, and go out to restaurants, and just visit the world. My background comes all the way from Candelaria and Pajara in Tenerife, Spain where my grandparents came from ;not knowing each other then, to Punta Brava, west of Havana, Cuba. There , my parents born in Cuba met and later on I was born there too. 100% guanche (annexed Tenerife to Spain on April 10 ,1496). I left Cuba as many have to Madrid, Spain where I lived for 4 years. Then, move to Perth Amboy ,New Jersey USA (living there 13 yrs) ; where I completed high school, became a US Citizen, learned to drive a car, and learned English. Afterward, went to the university in Florida, ERAU, and upon graduation decided to moved there to Ormond by the Sea, near Daytona Beach, finally moving North Miami, then Hialeah, then another moved to Silver Lakes division in Miramar, Broward county, Florida; in Florida I lived a total of 18 years. Finally , moved to France in 2003 ,Versailles call me for its royalty, and working in Paris was great. It was time to seek frontiers again and moved to Brech near Auray, Morbihan in Brittany , and later move to not too far Pluvigner. Total so far in France has been 20 years, and counting. Moving average a home every 5.5 years hopefully this will be my last. Cheers All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the written permission of the copyright holder, me. No part of this work may be modified, without the written permission of the holder, me.No part of this work may be exposed to public view in any form or by any means, without identifying the holder as the author, and with the before mentioned permission.

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