I take you back to my dear Madrid !! love it !! I like to continue the saga of my dear Madrid with new pictures from my cd rom vault that should be in my blog for you and me, This is again my lost walking trails of wonderful sublime Madrid, Therefore, let me tell you about the Plaza Dos de Mayo of Madrid !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The Plaza Dos de Mayo is a square in the neighborhood of Universidad, in the Centro district. It was created in 1869, at the time called Maravillas neighborhood, an area that in the 1980s would be known as Malasaña, Popularly it also receives the name of “Plaza del Dosde”. Recalls the popular deed of the uprising of May 2 at the beginning of the War of Independence of Spain against the French occupation troops (Napoleon) , From its perimeter you have the streets of San Andrés, Daoíz, Velarde, Calle de Ruiz, La Dos de Mayo , Las Antigua de San José and San Pedro. In one of its corners the Church of the Justo and Pastor is preserved. In the center of the square, the monumental arch that gave entrance to the old Palacio de Monteleón is preserved, then converted into an artillery barracks, which before the urban reform occupied this space. Under the arch, a sculpture carved in marble in 1830, represents the Daoíz and Velarde heroes. May 2nd is a public holiday in the Community of Madrid.
In 1908, the historical monument honoring the two captains was erected in front of the arch of the old park, replacing a temporary one made of cardboard. Both heroes wore blue coats, swords wrapped in silver foil, white trousers and waistcoats with red trim, and black gaiters. They had red hair and their arms were raised in a heroic pose. A red-painted arch, designed to resemble bricks, framed them. Months later, the sculptures, due to the rain, began to fade and disintegrate, much to everyone’s surprise. The cardboard monument had been put up to meet the inauguration date, as the final Carrara marble monument, which stands today, was not yet finished.
The Plaza Dos de Mayo is one of the most popular in Madrid, On May 2, 1976, to the delight of onlookers, a couple undressed on top of the arch ,an event often cited as the beginning of the countercultural Movida Madrileña. That spirit is alive and well in and around Plaza Dos de Mayo. An urban environment where traditional neighbourhood shops go hand-in-hand with alternative and avant-garde stores. Where neighbours gathering in the gardened areas and the children’s playground mingle with visitors drawn to the urban markets that are often set up in the square. An area that also has a great nightlife with lots of terraces, bars and restaurants.
The Madrid tourist office on the Plaza Dos de Mayo: https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-information/plaza-dos-de-mayo
There you go folks , another wonderful nostalgic, sentimental post on my dear Madrid, as always looking forward to be back, eventually, Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Plaza Dos de Mayo of Madrid !!! as I
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 