Page 312 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

310  M ADRID

style, it replaced the city’s Visitors can see the making of
orig inal bull ring which stood the carpets and tapestries by
near the Puerta de Alcalá. With hand, a process which has
its horse shoe arches around changed little. Goya and his
the outer galleries and the brother­in­law Francisco Bayeu
elabo rate tilework deco ration, created drawings, or cartoons,
it makes a lovely venue for the which were the models for
corridas held during the bull­ tapestries made for the royal
fighting season, from May to family. A number of the cartoons
October. The statues outside are are displayed here; others can be
monuments to two renowned seen in the Museo del Prado (see
Spanish bull fighters: Antonio pp296–9). Some of the tap estries
Torre de Picasso towering over the Paseo Bienvenida and José Cubero. can be seen at El Pardo (see p336)
de la Castellana Adjoining the bullring is the and at El Escorial (see pp334–5).
Museo Taurino. Memorabilia Nowa days one of the factory’s
r Paseo de la includes por traits and main tasks is making and
Castellana sculptures of famous matadors, repairing the carpets decorating
as well as the heads of several Hotel Ritz by Belmond (see p290).
Map 6 D3.  Santiago Bernabéu, bulls killed during fights at Las
Cuzco, Plaza de Castilla, Gregorio Ventas. Visitors can view close
Marañón, Colón. up the tools of the bullfighter’s u Parque de
The busy traffic artery which cuts trade: capes and banderillas – El Capricho
through eastern Madrid has sharp darts used to wound the Paseo de la Alameda de Osuna s/n.
several parts. Its southernmost bull (see pp40–41). For some Tel 915 88 01 14.  El Capricho.
portion – the Paseo del Prado (see people, the gory highlight of Open Apr–Sep: 9am–9pm
pp288–9) – starts just north of the the exhi bition is the blood­ Sat (to 6:30pm Oct–Mar).
Estación de Atocha (see p301). drenched traje de luces worn
The oldest section, it dates from by the legendary Manolete This lesser­known, remote park
the reign of Carlos III, who built during his fateful bull fight at is one of the most unique and
it as part of his embel lishment Linares in Andalucía in 1947. charming examples of a land­
of east ern Madrid. At the Plaza scape garden in Spain. Built in the
de Cibeles, the avenue becomes y Real Fábrica Romantic style on the whim of a
the Paseo de Recoletos, which duchess in the late 18th century,
boasts stylish cafés, includ ing de Tapices it displays both Italian and
the Café Gijón (see p295). Calle Fuenterrabía 2. Map 8 F5. French influences. The plantlife is
The Plaza de Colón marks the Tel 914 34 05 50.  Menéndez abundant, particularly in spring,
start of the Paseo de la Castellana. Pelayo. Open 10am–2pm Mon–Fri, when the garden comes to life
This northernmost section has last entry 30 minutes before closing. with the groves of lilacs and
several examples of modern Closed public hols & Aug. & 8 cascading roses. Other interesting
architecture, includ ing the huge only. ∑ realfabricadetapices.com places include an artificial canal
grey Nuevos Ministerios building. that leads to a lake with ducks
East of the square is the Estadio Founded by Felipe V in 1721, the and swans, the reed­covered
Bernabéu, home of Real Madrid Royal Tapestry Factory is the sole boathouse known as the Casa
Football Club (see p181). At the survivor of several factories which de Cañas, the Casino del Baile
north end, in Plaza de Castilla, were opened by the Bourbons (Dance Casino), a small temple,
you can find the two Puerta de (see pp66–7) during the 18th a modest palace with a beautiful
Europa buildings, built at an angle century. In 1889 the factory was ballroom, an unusual beehouse
as if leaning toward each other. relocated to this building just and underground bun kers
south of the Parque del Retiro. dating back to the Civil War.
t Plaza de Toros
de Las Ventas
Calle Alcalá 237. Tel 913 54 22 00.
 Ventas. Open for bullfights &
con certs. 9 8 by appt. (910 24
28 44). Museo Taurino: Tel 917 25
18 57. Open 10am–5:30pm daily.
∑ lasventastour.com
Whatever your opinion of
bullfighting, Las Ventas is
undoubtedly one of the most
beautiful bullrings in Spain.
Built in 1929 in Neo­Mudéjar Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, Madrid’s beautiful bullring
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp568–9 and pp591–3

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