Spain, Madrid

Madrid, Spain, October 2013

George has visited Madrid with Claus, Lars, Hans and Søren.

George started out in a bar on the roof of the most prominent building at the Plaza de Cibeles. The Palacio de Comunicaciones or Communications Palace was built in 1909 by Antonio Palacios as the headquarters of the postal service. In 2007 the landmark building became Madrid's official city hall (Ayuntamiento de Madrid).

The next morning George got a much better view of the cathedral-like building from the balcony of the hotel he stayed at.

George went sight-seeing. At Puerta del Sol (Gate of the Sun) Madrid means sun in an old native language. George saw a statue of the heraldic symbol of Madrid, which is a bear standing up against a madrõno tree.

The first evening the dinner was enjoyed at El Rincon de Esteban. A friendly family restaurant in the very heart of Madrid right across from the even found some snakeskin - some shed snakeskin to be precise.

George went to see the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family - The Palacio Real de Madrid (The Royal Palace of Madrid).

At the palace George had a good look at the lions guarding it.

George had a visit to the fantastic Alma de Julián Becerro and has a good look at the impressive Jamones Julián Becerro.

Cultural George visited the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. The home of the famous Guernica painting by Picasso. Outside is the iconic Roy Lichtenstein sculpture 'Brushstroke'.

Inside the museum George admired the great artists and here he is in front of Joan Miro's painting 'Man with Pipe' from 1925.

In the evening George went to the Ten Con Ten restaurant. He had a fantastic meal after which he enjoyed the lively atmosphere.

George bumped into a poster for The Molly Malone's Day. George saw the statue of Molly Malone a few weeks back in Dublin.

At the corner of the Calle de Alcalá and Gran Vía George saw one of the most photographed buildings of Madrid. The Metropolis Building or Edificio Metrópolis (Spanish) is an office building that was inaugurated in 1911, it was designed by Jules and Raymond Février and is currently owned by Metrópolis Seguros.

Also on Calle de Candalá George attended a mass in the church of San José. The baroque church was built between 1730 and 1742 by the architect Pedro de Ribera.