Page 281 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

OLD M ADRID  279

5 Iglesia de San
Nicolás de Bari
Plaza de San Nicolás 1. Map 3 C2. Tel 91
559 40 64.  Ópera. Open 8:30am–
1pm, 5:30–8:30pm Mon, 8:30–9:30am,
6:30–8:30pm Tue–Sat, 10am–1:45pm,
6:30–8:45pm Sun & public hols.
Groups should call in advance.
The first mention of the church
of San Nicolás is in a document
of 1202. Its brick tower, with
horseshoe arches, is the oldest
surviving eccle siastical structure
in Madrid. It is thought to be
12th-century Mudéjar in style,
and may have originally been
the minaret of a Moorish mosque.

6 Plaza de Oriente
Map 3 C2.  Ópera.
During his days as king of
Spain, Joseph Bonaparte
(see p67) carved out this stirrup-
shaped space from the jumble
of buildings to the east of the
Palacio Real (see pp280–81),
providing the view of the View of the Catedral de la Almudena and the Royal Palace
palace enjoyed today.
The square was once an and is based on draw ings by 8 Campo del Moro
important meeting place for Velázquez. Across the square is Paseo Virgen del Puerto s/n. Map 3
state occasions; kings, queens the imposing Teatro Real, or A2. Tel 91 454 87 00.  Ópera,
and dictators all made public Teatro de la Ópera, inaugu rated Príncipe Pío. Open Oct–Mar:
appearances on the palace in 1850 by Isabel II. 10am–6pm daily; Apr–Sep:
balcony. The statues of early 10am–8pm daily. Closed 1 & 6 Jan,
kings that stand here were orig- 7 Catedral de la 1 & 15 May, 12 Oct, 9 Nov, 24, 25 &
inally intended for the palace 31 Dec and for official functions.
roof, but proved too heavy. The Almudena ∑ patrimonionacional.es
equestrian statue of Felipe IV C/ Bailén 8–10. Map 3 C2. Tel 91 542
in the centre of the square is 22 00.  Ópera. Open 9am–8:30pm The Campo del Moro (the
by Italian sculptor Pietro Tacca, daily (10am–9pm Jul & Aug); Museum “Field of the Moor”) is a pleasing
& Dome: 10am–2:30pm Mon–Sat. & park, rising steeply from the
7 ∑ catedraldelaalmudena.es Río Manzanares to offer one of
the finest views of the Palacio
Dedicated to the city’s patron, the Real (see pp280–81).
cathedral was begun in 1883 The park has a varied history.
and completed over a century In 1109 a Moorish army led by
later. The Neo-Gothic grey and Ali ben Yusuf camped here, hence
white façade is similar to that of the name. It went on to become
the Palacio Real, which stands a jousting ground for Christian
opposite. The crypt houses a knights. In the late 19th century
16th-century image of the Virgen it was used as a lavish play-
de la Almudena. The dome ground for royal children. Around
offers grand views of the city. the same time it was land scaped
Further along the Calle Mayor in what is described as English
is the site of archaeo logical style, with winding paths, grass
excavations of the remains of and woodland, fountains and
Moorish and medieval city walls. statues. It was reopened to the
The first royal wedding took public in 1931 under the Second
place here between Prince Republic (see p69), closed again
Equestrian statue of Felipe IV, by Pietro Felipe (now King Philip VI) and under Franco, and not reopened
Tacca, Plaza de Oriente Letizia Ortiz in May 2004. until 1978.
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp568–9 and pp591–3

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