Madrid City Sights Part One

By the Numbers

It took us two planes, one connection, 10-1/2  hours total flying time, 12 hours total from Minneapolis Airport to Madrid Airport arriving to Madrid, the capitol of Spain on February 14th. Note we did lose a night's worth of sleep.    

Fun Facts

• It's population has grown by more then two million since the 1900's.
• Madrid is about 650 meters above sea level which makes it the highest capital city in Europe.
• Madrid's flag symbol is a bear on its hind legs eating berries. This is meant to show Madrid's growth, and it represents possession and ownership of the wood used to construct buildings.
• Madrid is home to Real Madrid FC, which is said to be the most successful football (or soccer) club of the 20th century.
• Madrid is also home to the Warner Brothers Movie World which is Spain's own version of Disney World.
• In Madrid, taxi drivers tend to stop working when a down pour comes because they have no faith in the taxi's ability to protect from the rain.
• Madrid has a Safari Park with many different varieties of animals.
• Madrid contains a very large flea market, El Rasto, open on Sunday mornings.
• The largest airport of Madrid (& Spain) is called Barajas and is just outside the city.
• The name Madrid comes from the Arabic word "magerit", which means 'place of many streams.'
• One of the greenest cities in Europe is Madrid.
• Since the 17th century, Madrid has been the capital of Spain.
• Has the "Golden Triangle" which is basically three major art galleries that are pretty close to each other.
• The citizens of Madrid are otherwise known as "Gatos" (cats) because of the historical legend involving the Arabic invasion and a soldier who could climb walls like a cat.
• The average rainfall a year in Madrid is 17 inches.
• Madrid has the more cloudless days then any other place in Europe. That means its mostly always sunny in Madrid!
• Restaurant Zotin is the oldest restaurant in the word established in 1725.

Enjoy some of the sights of a densely populated city with lot of concrete and little green space.  

Outdoor flower markets ready for valentine shopping.

 A very high apartment building over 40 floors.

Monument to Cervantes-Don Quixote and his sidekick Sancho Panza

Al fresco dining in brisk outdoor temperatures 50 degrees and we did not see any snow

anywhere. 

What a holiday treat for us viewing the city sights.