ISABEL GARCÍA Madrid
Madrid
Updated Saturday, February 17, 2024-00:05
Ranking A Spanish city, the third most attractive in the world for tourism in 2023
Leisure The 'savoir-faire' route or how to enjoy the best of France without leaving Madrid
The assignment was this: write a book to fall in love with Madrid in 48 hours. A different one in which they talked about the squid sandwiches from the Plaza Mayor and
Carabanchel
; from the tapas bars of
La Latina
and the bunker of Parque del Capricho; of the Arab origin of the city and the song that most represents it; of the most traditional jargon (read mallet, peluco, keli, chupa or canteo) and of
Doña Manolita
's lottery administration
; the rooftops with the best sunsets and why Madrid residents are described as cats. Solution: a young man named Juan scaled the wall like a kitten during the time of
Emir Mohamed I
until he managed to sneak inside and open one of the doors so that the Christian troops could enter and thus liberate the city.
It is just one of the anecdotes, experiences, stories, curiosities and corners (many unknown and others not) that
Madridmanía
(
Lunwerg editorial
) discovers, the
illustrated guide
designed both for travelers who arrive for the first time and for those who have already been several or even the inhabitants themselves who want to know it better. This is what its creator,
Manuel García del Moral
, a graduate in Audiovisual Communication, author of six previous books about the capital and creator of the portal
Secretos de Madrid, with more than 1.5 million
online
followers , tells it
.
One of the exits from the Plaza Mayor.
One piece of information would be missing: he is a Pamplona native who has lived in the city of Manzanares for 12 years and has been a
confessed fan
of hers since almost the first day. "I came to do a master's degree and, after many walks and readings, I looked for any excuse to stay. It is a place that
captivates, surprises and above all makes you fall in love
," he admits with conviction. And in 48 hours is it possible to do it? "And in less... The crush can be instantaneous."
For this reason, in his new offspring he has poured all his knowledge, affiliations, passions and recommendations about
the ancient
Muslim Magerit, returning to it a thousand times more. "It's my favorite thing in the world; getting up one morning, going out and finding a charming secret corner," she adds. Like the garden of the
Lope de Vega
house-museum in Huertas, the crypt of La Almudena ("composed of 400 columns with different decorations each and the only part of the cathedral that remains according to the original plans") or
the Pantheon of Spain
(Julián Gayarre Street, 3), which honors the illustrious figures of our country in the image of that of Paris.
The author of 'Madridmanía', with a copy of the book.
Divided into 12 chapters accompanied by illustrations by the artist
Pedrita Parker,
the book addresses what is most typical of Madrid (from Carlos III to San Isidro, el cocido,
el chotis, el Pirulí or Joaquín Sabina,
although he was born in Jaén) and essential enclaves presented from an original point of view. From Puerta del Sol to the Salesas neighborhood, one of García del Moral's favorites.
In addition, there is room to live
a neighborhood life
(in Chamberí, Lavapiés, Legazpi or Cinco Torres) through its market streets (from San Fernando to Tirso de Molina), propose plans with children ("they are amazed by the
Museo del Ratoncito Pérez
or that of the Railway") or even make a getaway to points in the region such as Chinchón or Alcalá de Henares.
Streets of the Lavapiés neighborhood.
The Pamplona author also provides
a soundtrack
to the city. "I think the song that best defines it is
Let's say I'm talking about Madrid
, performed by the aforementioned Sabina, because everything appears, the positive and the negative; it's not a friendly lyric, but that's how Madrid is,
a city with many edges
," he explains. And what is the worst for him? "The heat in summer; I can't handle it, but there had to be something bad..."
To remedy this, however, he proposes taking refuge in the many green spaces that populate the metropolis. From the classic Retiro to the Campo del Moro Gardens or
Berlin Park
. And now the last thing. For an expert on madridmania like him, what is there left for him to discover? "I have not yet climbed the
Torre de Valencia
, behind the Puerta de Alcalá, nor have I entered the Royal Tapestry Factory. I am dying to do both. And it will be soon, for sure...".
Interior of the San Fernando market.
SECRET CORNERS
Búnker del Capricho PARK.
It was built in 1937 under the name of Position Jaca to house the Republican high command in case of emergency during the Civil War.
CHAMBERÍ Ghost station.
It was one of the first eight stops of the metro in 1919. It did not adapt to new times and today it can be visited as a museum.
SPORT Beti-Jai Fronton.
Located at Marqués de Riscal, number 7, and with capacity for 4,000 spectators, it is one of the more than 30 Basque pelota venues that the city once had. It was inaugurated in 1894.
LITERATURE Cervantine Society.
Cultural space on Atocha Street dedicated to promoting the figure of Miguel de Cervantes and built in what was the old printing press from which the first edition of
El Qujiote
came out .
ARCHITECTURE Santoña Palace.
According to the author of the book, it is the most beautiful palace in the city. Located at the intersection of Huertas and Príncipe streets, it is the current headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce.
Preparation of classic churros.
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