On the site of the eastern medievel gate, the Puerta del
Sol is said to be the starting- point of all the roads in Spain and is
the place where
the main roads of Madrid converge. Semicircular in shape it was here that
the people of Madrid resisted Napoleon’s troops. A bronze statue
of the city’s emblem, the bear reaching for the fruit of a madrono
(strawberry tree), has pride of place.
Plaza Mayor
As you emerge from one of the narrow passages that open onto Plaza Mayor,
the sight of the vast square will take your breath away. The beautiful
Casa de la Panaderia (baker’s) and Casa de la Carniceria (butcher)
are reminders of the sizeable market. Plaza Mayor was the site of the
canonisation of San Isidro, the partron saint of the city, as well as
large numbers of executions and bullfights. Nowadays the Christmas market
is held under the arcades, while on Sunday there is a stamp and coin
market. As soon as the weather turns fine crowds of people sip coffee
in the café terraces.
Palacio de Gaviria
The magnificant entrance sets the tone, which continues with a number of
richly decorated small sitting rooms and boudoirs on the first floor.
Nowadays you can dance to techno music or sway to the sound of South
American rhythms in the mirrored hall, learn to tango, play billiards
or simply have a drink, except that you’ll be in a palace!
Calle Arenal, 9
91 526 60 69
Mon.-Sat., 10.30pm-3am
Sun. 8pm-2am
The Last of the Old-Fashioned Shoe-Shiners
Take the opportunity to stroll along Gran Via, which was built under the
dictatorship of Primo de Rivera. It isn’t of any artistic interest
with its imposing architecture, however, dotted along the avenue you’ll
still find a few old –fashioned shoe shiners at work. It’s
not often you get the chance to have your shoes spruced up while you
have a rest from walking the narrow streets of Madrid.
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