Post Office and plaza Cibeles
by la_beba
The buildings in Spain are extraordinary, just take a look at this picture... this is the Post Office! so fancy!
The Cibeles is an 18th century fountain in honor of Cibeles the Greek goddess of fertility, we see her riding in a chariot drawn by lions. The children playing in the waters behind the chariot were added later.
The fountain was originally placed closer to "Cuartel General del Ejército" (building across from the "Banco de España" on the other corner of the "Calle de Alcalá") and looking south instead of west but it was changed to its current position at the beginning of 20th century. Cibeles fountain is one of the main symbols of Madrid (visible as an emblem in many places) and a favorite of all city. During the siege of Madrid in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) the fountain was protected by a wall of sandbags so no harm would come ot the goddess and her chariot. In today's modern Madrid metropolis, it is a gathering place for Real Madrid soccer club fans after they win important games. While climbing on the statue is not allowed and police presence is huge during such reunions, there are always those who try to take the plunge!
Cinema
by ger4444
If you dont understand spanish you can go to the cinema where they play non-synchronized American and non-spanish films. amongst these cinemas are the Alphavill (calle de martin de los heros 14) and California (calle de Andres Melado 53). For those who speak spanish the cinema s at the gran via are a nice way of going out. Go to the Capitol or Coloseum. Spanish films by Almodovar (tode sobre mi madre with great music by Ismael lo) are great to watch.
Map of Madrid
by HORSCHECK
Take a free map of Madrid at the Tourist Information. The map includes the locations of the main sights and a Metro plan.
Madrid has a few Tourist Information offices all over the town. A centrally located office can be found at Plaza Mayor 3.
Panteon de Hombres Ilustres
by agarcia
For me, getting lost while driving in Madrid is something as natural as breathing. However, my unorthodox driving stile sometimes (please, forgive the redundancy) drives me to interesting and unexpected places. That was exactly the case with the Pantheon of Illustrious men, a mausoleum dedicated to the memory of distinguished figures of the Spanish political life of the XIX century. Well, actually the country also honored this people by naming many of the Salamanca district streets with their names: Ríos Rosas, Cánovas, Canalejas, etc. Walking that hall was like reading a city map... something that, by the way, someone suggested me yesterday I should bring with me in my car. :-p
Flamenco is the soul of Spain
by jorgejuansanchez about Flamenco
As in the whole of Spain, the most loved folklore in Madrid is flamenco, an explosive amalgam of Spanish old singings and dances that were enriched and consolidated when absorbed aspects of gracious Gypsies movements coming from India, Jews chants from their synagogues, Arabs melodies, fragments of remote Byzantine liturgy, and North African rhythms. It was born in a marginal and intercultural Andalusian society (Argentinean Tango emerged under the same social conditions). Flamenco Clubs are called TABLAO. In Madrid I recommend CORRAL DE LA MORERIA, centrally located and probably the best, where Hugh Grant and Richard Gere go every time that they come to Madrid to promote a new film. CAFÉ DE CHINITAS is also OK and centrally located. EL CORRAL DE LA PACHECA is good, in an old wooden theatre of comedies, but far from the centre. FLORIDA PARK, situated inside the huge Parque del Retiro, offers a Flamenco Show with original modern elements, type lasers, vapours and other effects.
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Templo de Debod
Vertical Garden, CaixaForum
The Fallen Angel
Iglesia de San Pedro el Viejo, Madrid,España/Spain
