So coming back to another street of my dear Madrid. I have many and several posts in my blog . However, one of the memorable streets I came into the city each time from our rental house in Cuenca was the memorable Paseo de la Reina Cristina of Madrid. I like to tell you more about it.
There is a Repsol gas/petrol station I have used repeately as is my in and out when visiting Madrid from Cuenca at Paseo de la Infanta Isabel, 2 ,closer to Atocha, The road is the A3 highway Madrid-Valencia that comes in on Avenida del Mediterraneo on same road continues to plaza del Conde de Casal on same avenue at Plaza de Mariano de Cavia it becomes the Paseo de la Reina Cristina ,right past the square on your left is the parking Garaje Maria Cristina ,at no 24, this is a 3 minutes walking from Parque del Retiro, and 8 minutes from the Atocha station , From here you can ,also, take the metro from Menéndez Pelayo station Line 1, and get to the centro of Madrid.
By Atocha there is a tunnel do not take it ,but instead continue on the right on Paseo de la Infanta Isabel until the Plaza del Emperador Carlos III (below is the metro station Estacion del Arte line 1 ) where there is a replica of the fountain de Alcachofa,(artichoke) on your left is the Atocha Renfe train station. And from here you have all of Madrid!!!
Let me tell you a bit on the history of Paseo de la Reina Cristina which I like
According to urban trends in the 1860’s, along the Paseo de la Reina Cristina and the avenues of the Ciudad de Barcelona, del Mediterraneo and Menéndez y Pelayo, no urban development was contemplated, except for the installation of a large racecourse next to the eastern part of the Retiro park. This was due to the fact that the Retiro belonged to the Crown, hence its old name of Real Sitio del Buen Retiro, and then its extension was much greater since it extended as far as Paseo del Prado and as far as the current avenue. of the Ciudad de Barcelona. It was not until 1865 that part of the Retiro grounds were segregated, through the opening of Calle Alfonso XII, to begin its urbanization, in Jéronimos barrio or neighborhood, district of Retiro). This precedent served so that during the First Spanish Republic (1873) the segregation of the land to the south of the Retiro, known as the Olivar de Atocha, was continued in order to create a new urban sector, then called the Pacifico barrio/neighborhood as today, in the district of Retiro, Over the years, this neighborhood spread and even occupied the land where the racecourse expansion was to be located.
The segregation of the Olivar de Atocha land was carried out by creating a new avenue, named after Reina Cristina, drawn tangentially to the Basilica of Atocha and, then, already planned as one of the great access roads to the city. Some historical and emblematic buildings of the city were saved in this urban operation, such as the Basilica of Our Lady of Atocha, (see post) whose origin dates back to 1523 with the foundation of the convent dedicated to this virgin, although previously there was already a hermitage in this place where the Virgin of Atocha was venerated. In 1836, with the confiscation of Mendizábal,(separation of church and state), only the church remained of the original building and the Cuartel de Invalidos or Invalids barracks were built where the convent dependencies were located. In 1890, taking advantage of the fact that the basilica was going to be rebuilt, it was decided to place a Panteón de Hombres Ilustres or Pantheon of Illustrious Men on the site of the old barracks, with the intention that the mortal remains of the most famous Spaniards in history would rest there.
In 1891 the works of the new complex began but the continuous economic difficulties prolonged them until 1924, that is to say until 33 years later. Certainly the building seemed to be jinxed, as it was razed to the ground again during the Spanish Civil War and had to be rebuilt in the 1940s. Today you can visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Atocha, where the remains of Fray Bartolomé de las Casas rest, protector of the Indians (of America), and the Pantheon of Illustrious Men, where, among others, the remains of Canovas del Castillo, Sagasta and Canalejas are found in beautiful tombs. Next to the Basilica of Atocha is the Real Fábrica de Tapices y Museo or Royal Tapestry Factory and its museum. The building where it is located was built between 1889 and 1891 but its antiquity dates back to 1720, and then it was in front of the Puerta de Santa Bárbara (today Plaza de Alonso Martínez) , hence it was called the Real Fábrica de Tapices de Santa Bárbara or the Royal Tapestry Factory of Santa Bárbara. In its museum you can see the works that Francisco de Goya carried out on behalf of Cornelio Vandergoten, a collection of 41 tapestries of incalculable value, as well as numerous cartoons, sketches, rugs and tapestries by other great masters.
Another wonderful street to walk in my dear Madrid. The Paseo de la Reina Cristina also has one of the highest real estate prices in Madrid, exclusive buildings of great architecture and renowned ,all set for a lovely family walk. A great idea while waiting or gazing at the Atocha transports hub. Hope you enjoy the post as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 