Where Is There To Go In Madrid?
Plaza Mayor
Plaza Mayor has had a few face lifts over the years. It was originally a small market square, but was completely rebuilt by Philip II after Madrid became the capital of Spain. It became the center of festivities, bull fights, royal coronations and executions. These would be attended by as many as 50,000 spectators. It is still used today for public celebrations.
Fires have destroyed all the buildings around the Plaza Mayor three times in history: in 1631, 1672 and 1790. The restored buildings surrounding the plaza now house bars and restaurants along with novelty shops selling hats and coins. The most prominent building on the Plaza Mayor is the Casa de la Panaderia, the seat of the powerful baker’s guilt. Its current design with symmetric towers dates from after the last fire in 1790. The colourful allegoric murals were only added recently, in 1992.
At the center of the square is a bronze statue of King Philip III, constructed in 1616 by the Italian sculptors Giovanni de Bologna and his apprentice Pietro Tacca. In 1848 it was moved from the Casa de Campo to the Plaza Mayor. Around the same time, the plaza was redesigned with gardens, but those were removed in 1936.
Plaza Mayor is just a two minute walk from any appartamento Madrid next to Puerta del Sol.
Prado Museum (Museo del Prado)
Goya, El Greco, Velásquez, to name but a few of the great Spanish painters whose many works are celebrated at one of the world’s greatest art galleries, El Museo del Prado. The museum is Madrid’s premier tourist attraction because it has a higher concentration of masterpieces than any other museum in the world.
The museum consists of about 9,000 paintings, 5,000 drawings, 2,000 prints, 1,000 coins and medals, and approximately 2,000 decorative objects. With such a wealth of art, it is only possible to display about 1, 500 works at any one time. It is sometimes worth checking the weekly ‘Guia de Ocio’ magazine to check whether any special exhibitions are on display during your visit.
The museum was built by Charles III of Spain, who reigned from 1759–88. He believed that Madrid should boast the same amenities as Europe’s other fine capitals. So, he went about building wonderful museums and other attractions, attempting to make this Castilian town equal to cities like Rome, Paris, and London. The Prado Museum was one of those attractions.
Charles III knew exactly what he wanted for his museum. The building would be expansive with a grand rotunda, a central gallery full of natural light, and a cube-shaped space on either end. Designed in the neo-Classical style, the building would be the envy of many. Centrally located, the museum is never far from any accommodation Madrid.
Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
Across from the Prado museum is the Museo Thyseen-Bornemisza. This museum is often considered to be the best of the big 3 (Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Borenmisza) in Madrid.
Visitors are taken through the private collection in chronological order so it is as if they are walking through the history of European painting starting from the 13th century all the way up to modern times. There are outstanding works of Impressionism, Expressionism and Cubism plus works from the Italian and German Renaissance.
The museum is a must for art lovers renting one of many Madrid apartments. Quick queues and helpful staff help to really enjoy this great experience.