Spain trip - Madrid, pt. 2

Renaissance courtyard at the Orgins museum

The nave inside San Francis de Grande

At the oldest restaurant in the world

The heart of Madrid, Plaza Mayor

With the Cervantes monument @ the Plaza España

The second day in Madrid began with a hearty breakfast at the hotel and then out the door for a full day of touristing! First up was a peek at San Pedro el Real, a 15th c. church with a leaning tower. It was not opened nor was the Basilica de San Miguel (he did get to peek inside but didn't stay, conflicting with other stops on his list) so back to the list to see what was next.

Opposite the Cathedral is the Iglesia Cathedral de las Fuerzas Armadas de Espania. This is a beautiful, elegant church that is too often overlooked when thinking about Madrid church buildings. Before leaving the area (again), there was time for a stop at the Collegium of San Isidoro, the former cathedral in Madrid before the current one was built.

Next up was the Museo de los Origines which is dedicated to understanding the origins of the city of Madrid. Of particular interest was the amount of material devoted to San Isidoro, the patron saint of Madrid.

Back to churches was the last stop before lunch with the baroque Basilica de San Francisco Grande. This is noteworthy if for no other reason that it has the third largest unsupported church dome in Europe (the other two are the Haggia Sophia in Istanbul & St. Peter's in Rome).  

The next place was a restaurant, neither a museum or a church but it is certainly historic and the meal, divine! The Restaurant Bodin has been in continuous operation in the same place and family since the early 1700s. It was a struggle to find it as it is tucked away in the area close to the Plaza Mayor. This set Charles' schedule way off but it was worth it!!!

A stroll back through the Plaza Mayor and the Plaza del Sol brought Charles to the Museo de la Real Academy de Bellas Artes. The Fine Arts museum has an impressive assortment of artworks and while Charles didn't get to see much (due to the long lunch), the effort to get there was beneficial.

Back on the metro and making his way to the Museo Thyssen-Bonnemisza was next up. Just like the Prado, this museum had a map showcasing its most well-known and representative works through a "greatest hits-type" of map. And like with the Prado, Charles couldn't stop with what was listed on the brochure. After all, one does not simply rush past masterworks with nary a side-ways glance!

A church and a museum were on the list to round-out the day but the church was only open by scheduled tour (didn't know that) and the museum was closed (despite the sign saying otherwise). Still, all was not lost as the effort took Charles through the Plaza de España which has a pretty cool looking monument to Cervantes. On the other side of the plaza, was the Paraoquiq de San Jose, a Carmelite church and convent associated with St. Teresa!  

It's been a busy, tiring couple of days in the city. SO much that couldn't be gotten to on this trip but Córdoba beckons and that means an earlier night than last night in order to make the 7 am train south.

Tally: Museums: three today (five overall); Churches: seven today (nine overall)