Downtown Madrid with the Monsignor

Downtown Madrid with the Monsignor

Madrid, Spain – September 14, 2010

This morning, the Monsignor and I hopped on the Metro and rode to the Opera stop.  From there we walked to the Palacio Real, which we toured.  We toured several rooms in the palace that were awesome.  Unfortunately, like all palaces in Spain…no photographs allowed.

A sculpture near the Palacio Real, Madrid.
Detail of the lion.
A portion of the parapet of Palacio Real, Madrid, Spain.
A panorama of the Royal Palace.
The light fixtures are rather fancy at the Palacio Real, Madrid.
Detail of the portico ceiling at Palacio Real.
One of the porticos at the Royal Palace.

When we came out of the palace, we went into the Royal Armory museum.  There were dozens and dozens of suits of armor for both man and beast.  There were just as many swords, firearms, and crossbows.  Again, no photographs allowed.

Lastly at the palace, we went through the pharmacy, which is in the actual rooms that were used early in the history of the palace.  It was extremely interesting to see the pharmacy’s furnishings.

When we left the palace, we literally walked next door to the Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena.  The tour we chose allows people to go up on the level of the bell towers in addition to visiting the cathedral.  The views from the walkway near the bell towers were quite amazing.

Coming down from on high, we went into the cathedral itself.  It was a very nice cathedral; however, it was surprisingly modern on the inside.  I really did not like it that much.  It was not anything like the other cathedrals we have seen.

The Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena (Royal Cathedral of St. Mary of the Almudena).
The Royal Palace as seen from the cathedral.
The view west from the cathedral.
The view north on the cathedral.
Detail of the cathedral parapet looking to the north.
A cross on the cathedral.
Detail of some of the sculptures on top of the cathedral.
One side of the main entrance to the cathedral.
A side chapel inside the cathedral.
The Holy Family.
The sun streaming through some stained glass.
Above the main altar.
An ornate light fixture in the cathedral.
The cupola of the cathedral.

Leaving the Cathedral, we walked to the Mercado San Miguel and then to the Plaza Mayor.  Once inside the Plaza Mayor, we stopped at a sidewalk cafe for lunch.  After lunch, we walked to the Puerta del Sol.  Then, we walked very near the Prado museum because the Monsignor wanted to buy some hand-fans.  We got on the Metro and headed home after that.

Refreshment and a snack at Plaza Mayor.
The north side of Plaza Mayor.
The vegetation wall in Madrid.

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