20250408 Spain Madrid Bus Tour

20250408 With our bellies full we hop on a double decker bus for a tour around the town centre, I feel this day will never end but I'm just soo into the history and the amazing historic buildings not to mention the incredible monuments in and around Madrid that I feel energised. Just look up and there are monuments on top of many buildings looking down on us, in the centre of many roundabouts, and they all tell a story. It makes me realise just how young our country really is, sure we have some history and some historic buildings scattered throughout Australia that the Government hasn’t knocked down, “Yet”, but nothing compares to this.

Ok we’re on the bus as I take a photo of this pair who found some shade but it’s ok to leave grandma sitting in the blazing sun 🥵.  We take off around the city while trying to listen to the commentator who’s hard to understand so I gave up but I guess we got the gist of what he was talking bout especially when it stood out right in front of us.

Not a bad photo for a fly by shot ha guys, I did have a pic but then I found this on Google and it was much better than mine.  The Palace Hotel was developed by a Belgian entrepreneur when in March of 1911 the first stone was laid, it was 18 months later Europe's largest hotel stood tall and proud. It was the first hotel in Spain and the second in the world to have a bathroom in each guest room, “and” the first hotel in Spain to have a telephone in each room. The grand opening was on October 12, 1912.

A then and now photo of the interior complements of Google and it still looks awesome, I would love to dine here.

Wow! check out the Opera Ballroom back then and now, I swear I was born in the wrong era.

One of my regret is not bringing my Canon EOS Camera and the wide angle lens, but I did upgrade my iPhone that take pretty good photos as we tour this magnificent city.

Gates of Philip IV" in Madrid refer to the five royal gates, or gates of registration, that were part of the Walls of Philip IV, their were fourteen minor gates or portillos which served as points of entry or exits.

The “Puerta de Alcalá”  is another famous gate that stands near the city center but this wasn’t the original gate. the King at the time in 1774 arranged an architect to construct a monumental gate in the city wall through which an expanded road to the city of Alcalá was to pass, replacing an older, smaller gate that stood nearby. This gate was completed and opened in 1778 making it 247 years old and it looks as solid as the day it was built.

Julia is the name of this 12-meter high sculpture of a girl with eyes closed eyes and she stands in Plaza de Colón, she’s intended to represent "tenderness and silence," the sculpture, Jaume Plensa hopes it will serve as a "mirror" to help recover a sense of serenity in society. As we drive past her the site is different from any angle and she still looks amazing. It was installed in 2018 and has since become a notable landmark in the city and from memory she can be dismantled and moved to any location with ease.

Scattered on the rooftops of many buildings in Madrid are sculptures similar to this, the Ave Fenix, also known as the Phoenix, a mythical bird symbolising rebirth, resilience, and the cyclical nature of life and death and is often associated with the sun. The phoenix’s also known for its ability to regenerate or be reborn, rising from the ashes of its predecessor, interesting 🧐

This monument was created to honour Castelar's (president of the First Spanish Republic) contributions to Spanish society and his role as a prominent figure in the First Spanish Republic. He was a historian, journalist, politician, and public speaker who advocated for republican ideals and the abolition of slavery, another impressive monument.

The Hand

An interesting sculpture although it’s just a hand, a bronze sculpture that was part of Botero's (the sculpture) trademark style, characterised by plump forms. It was part of a 1994 exhibition in Madrid, where the public voted for the sculpture "Woman with Mirror" to be gifted to the city. Madrid's treasurer, Fernando López Amor, encouraged corporations to purchase other works for public display, leading to Telefónica's purchase of "The Hand".

I really liked it😳

Check out that excited grin on this one’s face as we approach the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home to Real Madrid where some of Hamish’s favourite soccer players smash it out with the best in the world and I’m sure Hamish would love to play there one day.

Wow! check out the work that went into, “The Monument to Columbus” it just blows my mind, once again there was a public contest in 1877, and the winner was Arturo Mélida (nop, no idea). Standing at 17 meters the statue features Columbus holding a flag of Castile.

I know, it’s another building, but “OMG” check it out, why can’t Australia have impressive sites like this, I’m so envious. Cybele Palace, the most prominent buildings at the Plaza de Cibeles, and once named Palace of Communication, which is the seat of Madrid Council, not bad for a Council building.

This unique monument stands in front of the Palace above and represents the goddess, Cybele, it was created in the 18th century and depicts her riding a chariot drawn by lions, it was created in 1782, and what a master piece she is.

Not a bad photographer don’t you think, come on guys, you try and get a great photo while bumping around on a double decker bus.🤷‍♀️ Named Atocha, Madrid largest railway station and first train station, a major transportation hub with high-speed, long-distance and commuter train services. The station also houses a memorial commemorating the victims of the March 11, 2004 Madrid train bombings which I will leave at that, it’s much too sad.

Another “Wow” building, The Edificio Metrópolis was built between 1907 and 1911, designed by a French architects for the insurance company La Unión y el Fénix. It was once the tallest building in Madrid, reaching a height of 45 meters, opening in 1911. Apart from that building check out the other buildings surrounding it, its like every building matches, absolutely stunning.

The black dome at the top of the Edificio Metropolis is adorned with gilded ornaments, using 24-carat gold leaf and if you look closer, there’s a Roman goddess of wisdom on guard. If only we had more time to walk to the top and check it out.😒

This is a close up photo of the sculpture atop the Metrópolis Building, this statue is a representation of the Greek goddess Nike, symbolising victory.

Palacio de Fomento in Madrid, which currently houses the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Designed by architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco and constructed between 1893 and 1897.

And these are the amazing sculptures that look down on us atop the Palacio de Fomento, called "La Gloria y los Pegasos" (The Glory and the Pegasus), three bronze sculptures. Originally, they were marble sculptures, but they were damaged and later replaced with bronze replicas.

Madrid in a nutshell, a history dating back to the 9th century even though the area has been inhabited since the Stone Age, a walled military outpost dates back to the second half of the 9th century, conquered by Christians in 1083 or 1085, and this is just the beginning of our three week trip. Ok, I know I’ve probably bored you with all the historic buildings and amazing sculptures not to mention the history that goes on for ever and trust me these photos do them no justice but I was in awe of this whole experience, and one I will never forget.

Bring On Day 2