¡Hola a todos! In between siestas and tapas hopping today, I’ve squeezed in a bit of time for my regular Wednesday post. For somebody who doesn’t live in ‘typical Spain’, today’s been a very stereotypically Spanish day! And now, onto perhaps the most Spanish of Spain’s cities – Madrid.
I snapped this on a warm fall afternoon while on a stroll through the El Retiro park with a couple of good friends. Walking the huge park’s gently winding trails in the late fall sunlight was a beautiful way to spend some time in Madrid, especially when it was done in great company. It hardly felt as if we were in the city at all.
This building in particular caught my eye – it’s the Palacio de Cristal, the Crystal Palace. It overlooks a lake and some beautiful stretches of grass (perfect for picnics or siestas!). It used to be used to display flower exhibitions, and I bet the mix of colorful flowers, green leaves, and the beautiful archways in the building looked spectacular. Today it’s empty but it’s still pretty impressive on its own, especially when the sun shines through the glass panels.
On another Madrid-related note, who saw El Clásico last night? Barça really let themselves down. The fans even started setting the stadium on fire because they were so furious. Sigh. Fingers crossed this weekend’s match goes better!
Besos!
-Jess
¡Vamoooos Madrid!
I can’t say I watch fútbol (Spanish sin?), but I do really love this incredibly Spanish city. Have you visited Parque Rey Juan Carlos? It’s a great contrast to Retiro (envision futuristic art sculptures), but with the same great feeling of escape!
No, I haven’t. I really need to see a bit more of Madrid…next time I go, that’ll be on my list. Thanks for the suggestion!
Regarding that last sentence – I wouldn’t count on it. Feels pretty good to be a Madridista this week. =)
Haha we’ll see, we’ll see!
You should also visit Campo del Moro next time. It’s a park with a great view of the Royal Palace. You occasionally can see peacocks roaming around too. I also love the Palacio de Cristal. I went to go see it every time I walked in Retiro. 🙂
I haven’t been there either! There’s so much of Madrid I still want to see.
Haha, the casual “the fans started setting the stadium on fire” made me laugh out loud. Just another normal day en España.
That picture is enchanting. Makes me even more anxious for my move to Madrid!!
x Julia
Haha they were pretty furious! Fútbol is a very serious business here…and the Catalans are relatively restrained compared to the rest of Spain.
I think this is one of the best places in Madrid and most of tourist dont visit it. Have you ever visit “el capricho”? This is a very nice park, I really recommend it. http://planetatour.wordpress.com/2011/05/09/el-capricho/
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I’ve never been to “El Capricho”, but it looks beautiful. Next time I’m in Madrid, I’ll have to make a stop! Thanks for sharing.
You will enjoy it, but please check the timetable because it is open only at weekends, maybe because of that most of Madrid pp dont know this park. Another place which I love in Madridis the “cripta neorromanica”. Is the in the backside of the cathedral. Almudena cathedral is not very beautiful, in fact there was a big controversy about it but the “cripta” is amazing, is a forest of pillar and the ambience is so quiet and enigmatic. I really recommend it
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Ahh, an excellent tip! I’ll have to make sure to look at your comments before I go to Madrid next. Thanks again! 🙂