I love to take you back to my wonderful dear Madrid. Another soft spot in my heart and always come back to it, lucky me. I have written many posts on my dear city and you can tell my inclination for it. It never cease over the years since that day I came upon it in 1971. Let me tell you a bit about it, bear with me, these monument have plenty of pictures in my blog , These are memorable spots since youths days and continue to retiree guy with many huge family memories, I like to tell you more on curiosities of Madrid, part XXI !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I
I arrived on Iberia from Nantes France one of those time came by air , very early and took advantage of some time off to walk the city and enjoy it fully; walking brings back many memories of youth, and my dearest late mom Gladys dad Elio, and wife Martine. I am very happy with Iberia,(this time) easy flights, good prices and on time, in addition to the Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas airport has been name the best airport by a survey of airport users which they proudly post it in the gate areas!
I had some time before the hotel check in so decided to have lunch on the road. Headed straight for the Atocha area and El Brillante. A wonderful place with great views of the train station Atocha on one side and the Reina Sofia museum on the back. Great chorizo sandwiches and a Mahou 5 stars beer or calamares (squid) sandwich and see the world go by you, superbe! The owner from those days have passed away but the team still there.
As said, did my walks and do walk a lot in my City , going first to Atocha train station for its garden which was packed as always and so was the Reina Sofia museum with a line down the stairs all the way to the street at the Plaza Emperador Carlos V! I did walk Paseo del Prado and saw the Caixa Forum which had some renovation done, as well as the Botanical garden with the entrance doing some work but all open. The Reina Sofia was showing the great Guernica painting exhibition, so that is why was packed. The Caixa Forum a great exhibition area right around the triangle of great museums is worth a detour, and the Botanical gardens are one of my favorite spots in Madrid that I have come since a kid, this is the Real Jardin Botànico de Madrid.
You should take a look at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries that conducts tours with the tourist office, this is a great architecture building and gorgeous rooms right around the Atocha train station. El Ministerio de Agricultura y Pesca is located in the Palacio de Fomento from the 19C and gone thru many changes in name and uses until the current one. One of your off the beaten path sites in Madrid and worth the detour. Up the road from the above and going by Calle Dr Velasco, you reach the Real Observatorio Astronomico de Madrid or Royal Astronomic Observatory to see the sky! This is another off the beaten path trips to Madrid and it should be encouraged more, I have come here since school age in Madrid !!!
You can go by the paseo de Prado way before the main entrance to the Prado museum and go by the Puerta de Murillo, the south door entrance of the Prado. The building dates from 1786,and you heard it here! Wonderful architecture and a lot of history! Here you will see a statue of Bartolomé Esteban Murillo; from which the square and entrance is name after. Golden age of Spanish painting and he was one of the main one; living in the 17C. The great façade of the chapel of the Children’s Hospital on the Avenida de Menendez Pelayo facing the Retiro park. The hospital is Hospital del Niño Jésus.
I did took the metro to get back to my old piso or apartment, Quintana line 5 plenty on it in my blog, While there in calle de Alcalà 183 took a look at a new cafeteria in the area at least to me and decided to have some sweets and coffee, This was Audrey’ Brunch & Coffee now close and in its place another one call Vivari, not try yet, Later that evening came back to my old haunt at Cervecerie Cruz Blanca on Calle Doctor Esquerdo 157, always reliable and local.
The official AENA airports on Madrid: https://www.aena.es/en/adolfo-suarez-madrid-barajas.html
My old hotel Ayre Gran Colon now Crowne Plaza Madrid Centre Retiro: https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/madrid/madcr/hoteldetail
The Official El Brillante: https://barelbrillante.es/
The official Cervecerias Cruz Blanca: https://cruzblancaretiro.es/
The Madrid tourist office: https://www.esmadrid.com/en
There you go folks, another wonderful story post on my dear Madrid ; come to see it for more than the buildings, and you will be glad your read my post. Again, hope you enjoy this post on curiosities of Madrid, part XXI !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 