After two days of organized tours we decided to go out on our own and explore places the bus tours didn't have time for .....
After breakfast we headed, in a light snow fall, to Madrid's Cathedral de la Almudena. Construction on this building began in 1879 but wasn't completed until 1993 when it was dedicated by Pope John Paul II. The cathedral is the opposite end of the plaza from the Royal Palace, which we had toured three days previously ......
This "modern" cathedral is dedicated to Our Lady and there are numerous statues, paintings and stained glass windows of noted women in the history of the Church. It is impressive in that respect alone...
While so much in Spain dates back centuries, this modern cathedral is also an example of the young Spain.
We attended 11 AM Mass before exploring the basement crypt...
After the cathedral, we headed for the mercado (market) of San Miquel. This open air type market was first opened in 1916 and later renovated in 1999 and again in 2009. One may do their daily shopping as well eat tapas and drink vino well into the night at one of the 34 food stalls. It is great gathering place for hungry and thirsty tourists.
We walked our way back to our hotel, stopping enroute at El Corte Englis, Spain's "Macy's." We also stopped at the Official Madrid Tourist Welcome Center in Plaza Mayor where you can check your e-mails
on one of their computers, log in to the "hot spot" with your PC or smart phone or ask questions, obtain maps, etc.
Dinner tonight was at Restaurante Botin aka the most ancient restaurant in the world, founded in 1725.... of course, we had the house speciality, Roast Suckling Pig, a pitcher of sangria and flan for desert......
No comments:
Post a Comment