Mad About Madrid

The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum

The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum opened its doors to the public on October 10th, 1992 and was acquired by the Spanish state for $350 million in 1993. It is one of the three museums, the Prado and Reina Sofia being the other 2, that form the “Golden Art Triangle” of Madrid. At around the time of its opening the Thyssen-Bornemisza collection was considered one of the finest private art collections in the world. Even today few other world cities could boast a better collection than this.

Exhibition of posters from the Spanish Civil War

The Círculo de Bellas Artes is displaying an exhibition of Republican posters from the Spanish civil war - around 300 of them. They are meant to display, to some degree, the values the government, politicians and unions sought to defened against the fascist onslaught. You will find posters from the PSOE political party, the communist party, the young socialists and the general workers' union, amongst others. The exhibition goes on until the 24th March and whilst there why not go for a coffee in their cafe?

Opening Times
Tue - Sat: 11 a.m - 2 p.m & 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.; Sun: 11 a.m - 2 p.m
Entry Price: 1 Euro
Metro: Banco de España & Sevilla
Address: Alcalá, 42

Buying wine in Madrid

Just a quick posting for all those looking to buy wine in Madrid. The easiest plaace to buy wine in Madrid is in the food section of El Corté Inglés or in small stores/off licences. However, if you're looking to find a special wine, I would recommend going to a dedicated wine merchant. Here are a couple that I know of: Lavinia, which purports to stock over 2000 Spanish wines and 2000 world wines, along with various books and accesssories. The other is Siguero on Madrid's María de Molina, which also has a fine selection of wine.

Addresses/Information
Lavinia - José Ortega y Gasset 16 | Open: 10 a.m - 9 p.m. | Metro: Nuñez de Balboa or Serrano
Siguero - María de Molina, 70 | Metro: Avenida de America

Super Furry Animals & Justin Timberlake come to Madrid

Here are a few concerts that take place in the capital this month:

Super Furry Animals (21st January)
Justin Timberlake (28th January)
A Perfect Circle (22nd January)

Templo de Debod

Set on the western side of the city, the Templo de Debod is one of the most unlikely structures that you would expect to find in the capital. The temple is over 2,200 years old and was given to Spain as a sign of gratitude by the Egyptian government in 1968 - Spain having given assistance to Egypt in helping to rescue the temple of Abu Simbel in Namibia. The temple was dedicated to the god Amón. Entrance to the temple is free and the best way to get to the temple is from metro Plaza de España. The temple is particularly beautiful at sunset and affords views out to the vast Casa de Campo. I would suggest taking a stroll along the smart Paseo Pintor Rosales, which runs next to the Parque del Oeste, and where during the summer you will find 'terrazas' or street cafes/bars. The 'Teleférico' (cable car) is also located on this stretch.

Metro: Plaza de España
Opening Times: 10am-2pm and 6pm-8pm during the summer and 9.45-1.45pm and 4.15-6.15 during the winter months
More Information: Egiptolgia.com

Willi Baumeister exhibition

Willi Baumeister is known as one of the most important German artists of the 20th century and one of the most influential on Spanish abstract art. The Thyssen Museum, along with Caja Madrid and the Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus de Múnich have put on this exhibition, which consists of 92 works of his art, at the Sala de las Alhajas de Cajamadrid, just behind Puerta del Sol. The exhibition goes on until 22nd February and entrance to it is free.

Metro: Puerta del Sol
Address: Plaza San Martín, 1.

The Almudena Cathedral

The Almudena Cathedral, situated next to the Royal Palace, took well over a 100 years to complete. It was finally consecrated by Pope John Paul on the 15th June, 1993. Five days before the consecration of the cathedral the statue of Our Lady of La Almudena, patron saint of Madrid, was moved from San Isidro church to here. The Almudena will be the place where the King's son, Felipe, will get married this summer.

Real Madrid Shop in centre of Madrid

Walking up the Calle del Carmen, one of the streets off the Puerta del Sol, you will find a shop dedicated to everything related to Real Madrid. You wil find shirts of all the stars (including Beckham, Figo, Zidane and Ronaldo), tracksuits, signed autographs, baby clothes and many other items. With the latest digital editing equipment, you can even buy a picture of yourself holding the Champions Cup with Ronaldo!

If you can't wait to get to Madrid and want a David Beckham Football Shirt now, why not buy one on Amazon?

Metro: Puerta del Sol

Real Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida - a Goya Masterpiece

On Madrid´s Paseo de la Florida you will find the Real Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida, which aside from being the final resting place of the great Spanish artist Goya is also known by some as Madrid´s Cistine Chapel. The chapel was built on the instructions of Carlos IV and the ceilings of the chapel were painted by Goya himself in 1798. The frescoes portray a celerated miracle by Saint Anthony of Padua and are thought to be one of Goya´s masterpieces. As a means of preserving the original chapel the Madrid authorities hit on the idea of creating an identical chapel next door for the purposes of worship - this was built in 1928. The chapel is a good 10-minute walk from the Metro Príncipe Pío but is well worth it. Once you´ve looked around the chapel, you may fancy going to Casa Mingo which is located right next door.

Opening times
Tuesday - Friday: 10am - 2pm and 4pm - 8pm. Saturday/Sunday: 10am -2pm. Closed on Mondays and holidays.
Metro
Príncipe Pío

Booksellers - English Bookshop

Booksellers has been around for at least 10 years and offers a lifeline to those English-speaking people who live in Madrid and want to buy books written in English - I´m sure it is also a great place for those travellers who wish to stock up on books. For those learning English the shop has a huge range of English language materials, from books to CD´s and DVD´s.

Address: c/ José Abascal, 48
Metro: Gregorio Marañón, lines 7 & 10