Madrid - Spain

We left Toledo and headed for Madrid; Spain’s capital.  This part of the country was totally new and unknown territory for me and I was keen to immerse myself in a city I had heard so much about.  Our first task was to deal with the Madrid traffic and find our hotel.  With the help of our GPS and a few obliging folks, we arrived safely and after dropping our luggage in the room, Madrid, here we come.


Daniel's European Food & Wine Tours: A Wide Avenue of Madrid

Stylish apartment buildings...


Daniel's European Food & Wine Tours: Madrid Apartment Buildings

Our first stop occurred just around the corner from our hotel when we stumbled on a small but packed bodega which served food as well.  It was filled with locals who seemed to know each other well – always a good sign that the food and service will be good. 

 

Daniel's European Food & Wine Tours: The Bodega near our Hotel

Wine Menu...

Daniel's European Food & Wine Tours: Some of the Wines on offer

We weren’t disappointed at all and after an inexpensive but very tasty lunch, we headed for a nearby metro station and our next adventure.  The Madrid Metro.

Daniel's European Food & Wine Tours: Our Metro Station

Madrid is the capital city of Spain, with a total population of over 7 million.  It lies on the River Manzanares.  As well as the capital, Madrid is also the political, economic and cultural centre of the country.  It also hosts major international regulators and promoters of the Spanish language.  Madrid is the 5th most important leading Centre of Commerce in Europe (after London, Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam) and ranks 11th in the world.  Madrid's extensive and beautifully maintained parks and gardens make this city one of the greenest capitals in Europe.

Daniel's European Food & Wine Tours: The City Hall

 Grand architecture....

Daniel's European Food & Wine Tours: Building on the Gran Via

While Madrid possesses modern infrastructure, it has preserved the look and feel of many of its historic neighbourhoods and streets.  


Daniel's European Food & Wine Tours: The Royal Palace

Its landmarks include the Royal Palace; the Royal Theatre; the 19th-century National Library building (founded in 1712) containing some of Spain's historical archives; a large number of national museums, such as the Prado which have become symbols of the city. 

The Royal Palace is the official residence of Felipe VI of Spain, but the King uses it only for official acts.  It is one of the largest European royal palaces, characterised by its luxurious rooms and its rich collections of armours and weapons, pharmaceuticals, silverware, watches, paintings, tapestries and the most comprehensive collection of Stradivarius in the world.

An ornate street light near the Royal Palace.  

Daniel's European Food & Wine Tours: Street lights near the Royal Palace

The first documented reference of the city originates in Andalusian times.  According to legend, Madrid was named "Metragirta".  Others contend that the original name of the city was "Ursaria" ("land of bears" in Latin), because of the many bears that were found in the nearby forests.  Together with the strawberry tree, these have been the emblem of the city since the middle Ages.



Daniel's European Food & Wine Tours: The Bear and the Strawberry Tree

Majestic lighting...


Daniel's European Food & Wine Tours: A building on the Gran Via at night

It is also speculated that the origin of the current name of the city comes from the 2nd century BC when the Roman Empire established a settlement on the banks of the Manzanares River.  The name of this first village was "Matrice".  Following a wave of invasions during the 5th century AD, the Roman Empire no longer had the military presence required to defend its territories on the Iberian Peninsula, and as a consequence, these territories were soon overtaken".  In the 8th century, the Islamic conquest of the Iberian Peninsula saw the name changed to "Mayrit".  Although the site of modern-day Madrid has been occupied since prehistoric times, the first historical document about the existence of an established settlement in Madrid dates from the Muslim age.

The Fountain of Neptune, Madrid

Daniel's European Food & Wine Tours: The Fountain of Neptune, Madrid, Spain

In June 1561, when the town had 30,000 inhabitants, Philip II of Spain moved his court from Valladolid to Madrid.  Thanks to this, the city became the political centre of the monarchy, being the capital of Spain.  This fact was decisive for the evolution of the city and greatly influenced its fate.

During the reign of Philip III and Philip IV of Spain, Madrid saw a period of exceptional cultural brilliance, with the presence of artistic geniuses such as Miguel de Cervantes and Diego Velasquez.


Daniel's European Food & Wine Tours: One of the Magnificent Ceilings of the Royal Palace

Philip V built the Royal Palace but the most important king was Charles III of Spain, who was known as "the best mayor of Madrid".  Charles III decided to transform Madrid and ordered the construction of sewers, street lighting, cemeteries and many monuments and cultural institutions.


Daniel's European Food & Wine Tours: The Long Corridors of the Royal Palace

Madrid was one of the most heavily affected cities of Spain in the Civil War (1936–1939). The city was a stronghold of the Republicans from July 1936.  Its western suburbs were the scene of an all-out battle in November 1936 and it was during the Civil War that Madrid became the first European city to be bombed by aeroplanes severely damaging the city.  After the death of Franco and the start of the democratic regime, the 1978 constitution confirmed Madrid as the capital of Spain.

Madrid is considered one of the top European destinations concerning art museums. Best known is the Prado Museum, known for works from Diego Velázquez.  The Reina Sofía Museum is where Pablo Picasso's Guernica hangs.  It was returned to Spain from New York after more than two decades.


Daniel's European Food & Wine Tours:  The Prado Museum

The Prado Museum is a museum and art gallery that features one of the world's finest collections of European art, from the 12th century to the early 19th century.  The collection currently comprises around 7,600 paintings, 1,000 sculptures, 4,800 prints and 8,200 drawings, in addition to a large number of works of art and historic documents. El Prado is one of the most visited museums in the world, and it is considered to be among the greatest museums of art.



Daniel's European Food & Wine Tours: One of the Prado Museum Entrances

In the year 2006 Madrid was the fourth most visited city in Europe and the first of Spain, with almost seven million tourists.  The nerve centre of the city is the Puerta del Sol, a starting point for the numbering of all city streets and all the country's highways.  Madrid is also home to the Royal Academy of Spanish Language, an internationally important cultural institution dedicated to promoting linguistic unity within the Hispanic states.

Daniel's European Food & Wine Tours:  A Street Entertainer near the Royal Palace

Rising above the humble claims of its local cuisine, Madrid has evolved into one of the richest culinary capitals of Europe.  The city has wholeheartedly embraced all the creativity and innovation of Spain’s gastronomic revolution.


Daniel's European Food & Wine Tours:  Musician and his Singing Dog

In the park a musician and his singing dog entertained us...

The embracing of the new is wedded to a passion for the enduring traditions of Spanish cooking, for the conviviality of the eating experience and for showcasing the infinite variety of food from every Spanish region.  From tapas to all that’s new to sit-down meals, eating in Madrid is a genuine pleasure.

Daniel's European Food & Wine Tours: A Cured Ham Heaven



Daniel's European Food & Wine Tours: Who Could Resist One of These

I found Madrid a delightful place to visit.  I loved its energy, its elegance and simply adored listening to the locals in the streets speaking what I would call perfect Castellano or Spanish.  The metro system was easy to negotiate and the food simply gorgeous.  No city on earth is more alive than Madrid.  This city really knows how to live. 

Daniel's European Food & Wine Tours: Crowds Enjoying Life

If there's one thing that sets Madrid apart, it must be its deep and infectious passion for life that finds its outlet in the friendly and open character of its inhabitants.   Madrid nights are the stuff of legend. 

Daniel's European Food & Wine Tours: Plaza del Sol

Step out into the night-time streets of the city and you’ll find yourself swept along on a tide of happy people intent on enjoying themselves.  I have made a short video of my visit to this vibrant place which will hopefully temp you to join me on my next trip...