Madrid is the capital city of Spain and it is located in the middle of the country. Their main language is Spanish. The population of the city is approximately 3.2 million. The main religion of Madrid is Catholicism, although some people practice Islam, Judaism, Protestantism, and Hinduism. The best time to visit Madrid is during the Spring and Fall. Motto: "Fui sobre agua edificada, mis muros de fuego son. Esta es mi insignia y blason"("On the water I was built, my walls are made of fire. This is my ensign and escutcheon")
Flag of Madrid
Flag of Madrid
Map of Madrid
Image result for madrid map
Image result for madrid map
FOODS
Cocido Madrileño- Traditional Spanish Stew, vegetables, chickpeas, chorizo sausage and pork.
Huevos Rotos- plate of freshly fried potatoes, which are fried in Spanish olive oil and tossed with sea salt. Topped with over easy eggs.
Bacadillo de Calamares- fried squid sandwich. fresh bread with flour-coated, deep-fried rings of squid.
DESTINATIONS
Palacio Real- The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish Royal family, but the family doesn't currently live there. The palace was open to the public in 1755. It would cost 10 Euro ($10.80) for adults, although times vary during the seasons.
2.Plaza Mayor- The Plaza Mayor is the central plaza in Madrid. It was built during King Philip III's reign (1598-1621). During the late year's of Philip III's reign, the plaza was used for the executions of heretics. A bronze statue of King Philip III is placed in the middle to honor his reign. Nowadays the plaza holds numerous events including bullfights, football games, and markets and cafes. Tour tickets are available for $40-$80 depending on what tour you take.
Image result for plaza mayor madrid
3.Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas- The Las Ventas is a famous bullring in Madrid. It replaced the city's original bullring which stood near the Puerta de Alcala. Bullfighting season runs from May to October. They are held every day during the San Isidro Fiesta and every Sunday or holiday during the season. The fights start at 6 or 7pm and last for two or three hours. It is also used as a concert venue, tennis courts, and as a theatre. Ticket prices for entry can vary from a few euros to 100 euros depending on the seating area (shaded areas are usually more expensive).
Bull Fighting Bullfighting dates back to Roman times. It is a ritual in which men and a few women go against an animal bred for the ring. It is usually held at the Madrid's Plaza de Toros Monumental de Las Ventas, the largest bullfighting stadium. Spanish style bullfighting is called "corrida de toros" (running of the bulls). In traditional bullfighting, there are 3 matadores and each matadores would fight two out of the 6 total fighting bulls. The bulls would weigh up to 1,300 lbs and they must be at least four years old.
Image result for bull fights madrid
There are 3 stages in the bullfight. During the 1st stage, the tercio de varas (part of lances), the matador will observe how the bull charges as the cape is trust towards them, observing the bull and notes any important traits. Soon two picadores, armed with lances, enter the arena riding a horse that is blindfolded with a heavy pad to protect the horse. The bull is encourage to attack the horse which causes it to be weaken since the picador will stab the bull's neck. Thus drawing the first loss of blood from the bull.
In the next stage, the tercio de banderillas (part of banderillas), three banderillos each try to plant two barbed sticks into the bull's shoulder, further weakening the bull because of heavy blood loss. The matador enters and continues to have several runs with the cape trying to make the bull weak and exhausted.
In the final stage, the tercio de muerte (part of death), the matador reenters with a small red cape and a sword in hand. He maneuvers to entertain the crowd and to weaken the bull even more. At the end, the matador gets the bulls in a position so that he can stab the bull between the shoulders and through the heart. He first does this with a estoque simulado (fake sword) to entertain the crowd. But then finally, the matador pieces the bull's heart with a real sword called estoque de verdad.
The matador is judged by how long the bull lives after being stabbed with the sword. His reward and post celebration depends on it. However, as years past, there have been some activism against bullfighting. Animal activist claims that bullfighting is a vicious, torturous act and causes a slow death to the bulls and it should be banned. But Spaniards fought against those activists saying that bullfighting is part of the Spanish culture.
Festival de San Isidro Festival de San Isidro is a celebration to honor Saint Isidore. He is the Catholic patron saint of Madrid, farmers, peasants, day laborers and agriculture. One of the most celebrated holidays in Madrid is held on the 5th of May, the Feast Day of San Isidro. The traditional festival and feast are held in an open-air area known as the Pradera del Santo. The image of San Isidro and his wife, Santa Maria de la Cabeza, are paraded through the streets during the afternoon. Many people are dressed as chulapo or chulapa (Madrid's national dress). The celebration of Madrid's patron saint takes several days and many cultural events are offered to the people: contests of chotis (Madrid's traditional dance), concerts of folk music, craftsmanship fairs and bullfights.
Madrid is the capital city of Spain and it is located in the middle of the country. Their main language is Spanish. The population of the city is approximately 3.2 million. The main religion of Madrid is Catholicism, although some people practice Islam, Judaism, Protestantism, and Hinduism. The best time to visit Madrid is during the Spring and Fall.
Motto: "Fui sobre agua edificada, mis muros de fuego son. Esta es mi insignia y blason"("On the water I was built, my walls are made of fire. This is my ensign and escutcheon")
Flag of Madrid
Map of Madrid
FOODS
Cocido Madrileño- Traditional Spanish Stew, vegetables, chickpeas, chorizo sausage and pork.
Huevos Rotos- plate of freshly fried potatoes, which are fried in Spanish olive oil and tossed with sea salt. Topped with over easy eggs.
Bacadillo de Calamares- fried squid sandwich. fresh bread with flour-coated, deep-fried rings of squid.
DESTINATIONS
2.Plaza Mayor- The Plaza Mayor is the central plaza in Madrid. It was built during King Philip III's reign (1598-1621). During the late year's of Philip III's reign, the plaza was used for the executions of heretics. A bronze statue of King Philip III is placed in the middle to honor his reign. Nowadays the plaza holds numerous events including bullfights, football games, and markets and cafes. Tour tickets are available for $40-$80 depending on what tour you take.
3.Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas- The Las Ventas is a famous bullring in Madrid. It replaced the city's original bullring which stood near the Puerta de Alcala. Bullfighting season runs from May to October. They are held every day during the San Isidro Fiesta and every Sunday or holiday during the season. The fights start at 6 or 7pm and last for two or three hours. It is also used as a concert venue, tennis courts, and as a theatre. Ticket prices for entry can vary from a few euros to 100 euros depending on the seating area (shaded areas are usually more expensive).
Bull Fighting
Bullfighting dates back to Roman times. It is a ritual in which men and a few women go against an animal bred for the ring. It is usually held at the Madrid's Plaza de Toros Monumental de Las Ventas, the largest bullfighting stadium. Spanish style bullfighting is called "corrida de toros" (running of the bulls). In traditional bullfighting, there are 3 matadores and each matadores would fight two out of the 6 total fighting bulls. The bulls would weigh up to 1,300 lbs and they must be at least four years old.
There are 3 stages in the bullfight. During the 1st stage, the tercio de varas (part of lances), the matador will observe how the bull charges as the cape is trust towards them, observing the bull and notes any important traits. Soon two picadores, armed with lances, enter the arena riding a horse that is blindfolded with a heavy pad to protect the horse. The bull is encourage to attack the horse which causes it to be weaken since the picador will stab the bull's neck. Thus drawing the first loss of blood from the bull.
In the next stage, the tercio de banderillas (part of banderillas), three banderillos each try to plant two barbed sticks into the bull's shoulder, further weakening the bull because of heavy blood loss. The matador enters and continues to have several runs with the cape trying to make the bull weak and exhausted.
In the final stage, the tercio de muerte (part of death), the matador reenters with a small red cape and a sword in hand. He maneuvers to entertain the crowd and to weaken the bull even more. At the end, the matador gets the bulls in a position so that he can stab the bull between the shoulders and through the heart. He first does this with a estoque simulado (fake sword) to entertain the crowd. But then finally, the matador pieces the bull's heart with a real sword called estoque de verdad.
The matador is judged by how long the bull lives after being stabbed with the sword. His reward and post celebration depends on it. However, as years past, there have been some activism against bullfighting. Animal activist claims that bullfighting is a vicious, torturous act and causes a slow death to the bulls and it should be banned. But Spaniards fought against those activists saying that bullfighting is part of the Spanish culture.
Festival de San Isidro
Festival de San Isidro is a celebration to honor Saint Isidore. He is the Catholic patron saint of Madrid, farmers, peasants, day laborers and agriculture. One of the most celebrated holidays in Madrid is held on the 5th of May, the Feast Day of San Isidro. The traditional festival and feast are held in an open-air area known as the Pradera del Santo. The image of San Isidro and his wife, Santa Maria de la Cabeza, are paraded through the streets during the afternoon. Many people are dressed as chulapo or chulapa (Madrid's national dress). The celebration of Madrid's patron saint takes several days and many cultural events are offered to the people: contests of chotis (Madrid's traditional dance), concerts of folk music, craftsmanship fairs and bullfights.