Aventuras de Típicos Turísticos

El Parque del Retiro

Unfortunately, we have not done much site seeing just yet since we only recently received our student id cards which get us into most museums for free.  However, we have visited some of the major parks and plazas.  It is about a ten minute walk to El Parque del Retiro, the largest park in the city, where I run.  Located in the center of Madrid, the park belonged to the Spanish Monarchy up until the late 19th century when it then became a public park.  Close to the center of the park, next to the pond, is a monument of Alfonso XII, which was designed by José Grases Riera at the beginning of the 20th century.  El Parque del Retiro is also home to several other beautiful fountains, memorable monuments and handsome statues.  


In addition, we have visited numerous other tourist attractions including:  Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España and El Palacio Real.  Coming into Spain, I already had a vast knowledge of the major historical landmarks.  At Merrimack I took the study travel course “Crossing Borders” (SPA3750) in addition to “Coexistence in Medieval Spain” (SPA3510). Therefore, it was really exhilarating to visit all the sites I had previously studied and seen displayed in various texts both in print and online. 

Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor, during the middle ages, was a market place just outside the city walls.  King Phillip II, during the 1560s, ordered the construction of the square as part of his plan to make Madrid the capital of Spain.  Plaza Mayor use to be a popular location for tournaments, weddings, executions, bullfights and Inquisition trials.  Onlookers would observe festivities in the square below from the balconies of the surrounding buildings.  When one visits the square today, one will not witness any executions but one might see a coin or stamp show, residents taking an evening stroll or a free concert.  The plaza is often used as a central meeting location.  On the ground floor of Plaza Mayor there are several bars, cafes, shops and restaurants. 

Puerta Del Sol

Puerta Del Sol is the point where the most famous streets in the city converge, making it one of the busiest centres in Madrid.  The square is named after the gate which once stood there controlling access to the city.  The rising sun would decorate the entry, since the gate was leaning to the east.  When the city became a permanent home to the imperial court, it expanded vastly, and the gate was demolished.  Today, Puerta Del Sol is a thriving shopping center surrounded by attractive shop windows of every genre; pastry shops, boutiques selling Spanish crafts, modern cafeterias, shoe shops, etc.  It is also a popular meeting spot for both locals and tourists.  I actually was able to connect with two girls I went to middle school with.  I have not seen them since I graduated, but we were able to meet up at Puerta Del Sol, go shopping and grab coffee while we caught up. 

Statue of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza in Plaza de Espana

Furthermore, we were asked to visit Plaza de España as part of our Spanish Art History in the Museums of Madrid class.  This plaza is situated quite close to the Royal Palace, at the western end of Gran Vía.  It features a massive marble statue of Miguel de Cervantes and bronze statues of his most famous literary characters, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.

El Palacio Real

View of El Palacio Real from afar

Finally, we briefly visited El Palacio Real, the Royal Palace of Madrid.  Since it was rather frigid outside we did not stay long, yet made a mental note to come back and visit when it is warmer.  El Palacio Real is the official residence of the King and Queen of Spain; however it is typically only used for state ceremonies.  King Juan Carlos I, Queen Sofía and the rest of the Royal Family do not reside in the palace.  In 1734, King Philip V ordered that a new palace be built in Madrid.  Construction began in 1738, and was finally completed in 1755. Charles III was the first king to live in the palace in 1764.  Today, the palace is open to the public, except when it is utilized for official business.