Mad About Madrid

Toledo - Don Quijote, El Greco, Mosques and Synagogues

Toledo is one of the jewels of Central Spain. It belongs to the province of Toledo and is the capital of the autonomous region of Castilla la Mancha. The city, located 70 km south of Madrid, is perched on a hill with the river Tajo (Tagus) at it feet. Toledo was decreed a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987 much of it due to the fact that it is known as the “city of the three cultures”, because Christians, Arabs and Jews lived together there for centuries. Even today you can find its rich cultural heritage in its churches, palaces, fortresses, mosques and synagogues.

Here is a brief histroy from Spain.info: “The city of Toledo has its origins in Toletum, the name the Romans gave to this settlement on the banks of the River Tagus after its conquest in 190 BC. The city maintained its importance for centuries and, in the Visigothic era, became the capital of Hispania (6th C.). The arrival of the Arabs in the 8th century, together with the presence of Christians and Jews, made Toledo the “city of the three cultures”. This was one of the Toledo's most splendid periods when, among other important events, the Toledo School of Translators was founded. Later, when Carlos V came to the throne in 1519, the city became an imperial capital.”

The Strawberry Train (Tren de la Fresa)

From now until September, it will be possible to take a nostalgic journey into the past on a steam locomotive. The train is meant to depict what was the second peninsular line, inaugurated in 1851 by Isabel II. Operating out of Madrid's Atocha station and with the Royal town of Aranjuez as the destination, passengers will be able to take a journey on this train with stewardesses dressed in period costume, who serve fresh strawberries - typical fruit from the area.

Though the Royal Palace of Aranjuez was used as a retreat in the time of the Catholic Kings and Queens, it was Phillip II who told his architects, the same ones who built designed El Escorial, to further change and expand the palace. Fernando VI and Carlos III also had a hand in the development in the palace we now see and which sits on the rivers Tajo and Jarama. The result is a beautiful palace with fabulous gardens.

Still snow in the Madrid mountains

It's only a 50 minute drive from Madrid (an hour by bus) but as the picture shows there is still snow at Valdesqui, in the Madrid mountains.

See also: Skiing in Madrid

San Lorenzo de El Escorial and Valle de los Caidos

The town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial is situated in the Guadarrama Sierra, around 60 kilometres from Madrid. The main attraction of the town is the monastery of El Escorial, built by the Spanish King Phillip II to commemorate the victory against the French in 1557 and was considered the ‘eighth wonder of the world’. The monastery was the work of Juan Bautista de Toledo and Juan de Herrera. Like many other parts of central Spain, like Segovia and Avila, El Escorial is a UNESCO world heritage site. It was recognised as the political centre of Phillip II’s empire and was completed in 1584, the actual interior decoration wasn’t competed until the start of the 17th Century. The size of the place was meant to characterise the size of the empire: huge and the idea was to belittle visitors – it certainly succeeds!

Segovia - Alcázar , Aqueduct, Cathedral and great food

For anyone visiting Madrid and looking for a worthwhile excursion, then Segovia should be be number 1 on your list. Having got married there, and had my son christened there, I have a great fondness for the place. Segovia is a wonderful mix of Roman Spain, Medieval and Renaissance Spain and Modern Spain all rolled up into one.

The city is around an hour's journey from Madrid, and is in Spain's Castilla Leon region. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has 3 very important sites, dotted around the city: the Roman Aqueduct, the Gothic Cathedral and the Alcázar, not to mention its multitude of churches and palaces.

Skiing in Madrid

Yes, you did read the title correctly! You'd never think that in a city which experiences such hot summers (up to 40C+), that you'd be able to find a ski resort within an hour. Heading out to Navacerrada, north of Madrid, you will find ski stations which the king of Spain often frequents. You can get to Navacerrada by Cercanías trains. At weekends, and on public holidays, the roads and ski stations are full of Madrileños taking an opportunity to get out of the city to ski and breath fresh mountain air.