Another quick romp through some of the colourful street scenes of Madrid. From traditional tiles and window boxes to more modern expressions of creativity. Moulin Rouge style ladies to a rather disturbing cat portrait! There’s a plethora of art on hand to entertain, perplex or deconstruct.
Tag Archives: Madrid
Colour splash
The streets of Madrid are literally awash with a myriad of colourful artworks, from abstract splashes of rainbow hues to detailed murals. Every wall, window and wall is an open air gallery just begging to be snapped. Metal roller shutters that act as security for shops also double as gallery fronts, sometimes sanctioned, sometimes not!Continue reading “Colour splash”
Back Atocha!
Madrid’s Atocha train station has a verdant surprise awaiting the unsuspecting traveller with a lovely tropical garden inhabiting what was once a train shed that opened in 1892. It had its tracks removed in 1992 and is now a lush garden complete with a rehomed turtle pool (minus its inhabitants who were relocated in 2018Continue reading “Back Atocha!”
Books, beautiful books.
As we leave Retiro park I stumble upon this bibliophile’s dream! Open air book stalls in weathered little cabins . . . . You can find this cornucopia of the written word on a small pedestrian street known as the Cuesta de Moyano. Running down from El Retiro Park to the Glorieta de Carlos VContinue reading “Books, beautiful books.”
El Retiro Park
We’re heading to check out El Retiro Park, the largest park in Madrid, with lakes, formal gardens and glass houses. The park belonged to the Spanish Monarchy until the late 19th century, when it became a public park. In the heart of the park is a large lake that was built by the architect, CristobalContinue reading “El Retiro Park”
Religious stuff
There’s lots of beautiful churches and chapels to be discovered as you trot around Madrid. From hyper realistic, and somewhat gory, statuary to beautiful gilding and all colours of the rainbow. I love the over the top decoration of the Catholic churches, especially the ornate halos of the Virgin Mary. A little bit heavenly, justContinue reading “Religious stuff”
Las Meninas Mademoiselles
Around the streets of Madrid we kept encountering a variation of colourful, larger than life, ladies. The statues are all variations on the main characters of Las Meninas, Diego Velázquez’s masterpiece that hangs in the Prado Museum. An art installation saw 80 sculptures of Las Meninas (‘the ladies in waiting’) dotted around the Spanish capital.Continue reading “Las Meninas Mademoiselles”
Miscellaneous Madrid
Here’s a few random snaps from around the streets of Madrid. From wonderful little bookshops to quirky eateries. This lucky Buddha has had his belly rubbed a fair few times by passing customers! More books and a slightly manic looking little gimp! Not sure if he is cute or creepy!
Tiled wonder
Wandering the maze of gritty streets in the Malasaña neighborhood of Madrid, you might come across the tiled wonder that is the Juanse Pharmacy. Founded in 1892, this colourful, 130 years old jewel has seen a lot of history come and go. The impressive tiled facade acts as an advertising hording stuck in a timeContinue reading “Tiled wonder”
Magical Madrid
Our last trip abroad before the world ground to a halt, was a few days in the marvellous bustling city of Madrid in 2019. The capital, and most-populous, city of Spain. We have an apartment in the Malasaña area – a hip, but slightly down at heel part of the city that is jam packedContinue reading “Magical Madrid”