Between confinements and curfews (and with all the sanitary precautions) spending a little time discovering little-known or crowded places in the capital can be a good plan in these times of restrictions and perimeter closures.
We propose five historical corners of Madrid that if you still do not know them, now may be a good time to do so.
Student's residence
Student's residence.
It was one of the most important cultural centers in Spain at the beginning of the 20th century, a meeting place for figures such as Miguel de Unamuno, Alfonso Reyes, Manuel de Falla, Juan Ramón Jiménez, José Ortega y Gasset, Pedro Salinas, and Rafael Alberti.
Federico García Lorca, Salvador Dalí, Luis Buñuel and Severo Ochoa also stayed there ... Founded in 1910, it is located in the El Viso neighborhood (Pinar, 21-23) and you can visit a quarter of the Twin Pavilions in which has recreated a historical room of the Residence, where illustrious writers, scientists and artists coexisted.
The Residence also organizes conferences, round tables, concerts, poetry readings, meetings or exhibitions in which personalities from the arts and sciences take part.
Information at www.residencia.csic.es.
Madrid History Museum
Model of Madrid, from the Museum of History of Madrid.
The old Municipal Museum, today the Madrid History Museum, is located at number 78 Fuencarral street, in the building that was once the Real Hospicio de San Fernando, built in the 18th century by the architect Pedro de Ribera.
Its spectacular orange facade is considered one of the most representative works of the Spanish civil baroque.
Inside, the historical evolution of Madrid is exhibited, both in the arts, industry, daily life and the customs of its inhabitants, since it was elected capital of Spain in 1561 until today.
One of the most important pieces of the institution that every Madrilenian should know is
the Model of Madrid
by León Gil de Palacio, made in 1830. It is one of the oldest historical models in Europe.
Of great dimensions and extreme precision, in it appear even the free spaces inside the blocks and the altimetry of the Villa and Court of the times of Felipe IV.
Built in wood measuring 5.20 by 3.50 meters, there are squares such as La Cebada, Neptuno, La Paja, Puerta del Sol, Santa Bárbara, Hortaleza street, Alcalá street ... You can see a virtual tour of the model here.
Open every day except Monday.
Free entrance.
Chamberí Station
Chamberí station.
Located in Plaza Chamberí with Calle Santa Engracia, Chamberí station is a historic corner of the capital that few know.
Going down a few steps you will reach this old platform belonging to the first Metro Line inaugurated in Madrid in 1919, designed by the architect Antonio Palacios.
Entering it is like going back to the 50-60s of the last century
, thanks to its corridors decorated with large squares of Sevillian tiles and advertising posters, also made of ceramic, in ocher and blue curb.
The posters are one of the great attractions, since they are practically preserved as they were created in the 1920s. There is also a skylight in the lobby that lets in natural light.
The station was closed in May 1966, when the Metropolitan Company decided to increase the length of the trains and it was impossible to extend this platform.
Due to the anti-Covid measures that have to be taken,
all (free) visits will be guided with a maximum of five people.
To do this, you must make a reservation in advance at www.museosmetromadrid.es.
The Royal Kitchen
Kitchen of the Royal Palace.
The Royal Kitchen occupies an entire side of the first basement in the Royal Palace and is one of the best preserved of its kind in the world.
In the 800 square meters of the exhibition, divided into several rooms (the Cuartón, the Stove Room, the Antecocina, the Pastry Workshop), you can see the historic facilities that served the monarchs for centuries, largely renovated between 1861 and 1880 by will of Isabel II and Alfonso XII.
Among the jewels that can be seen are stoves, ovens, hotplates, dumbwaiters and one of the first refrigerators that existed.
The household items stand out, such as molds, saucepans, bowls, basins, knives, wooden forks and spoons, weights and scales, mortars ..., and a collection of tinned copper pots and pans from batteries bought in Paris.
Spanish pieces from the second half of the 18th century and the first half of the 19th century from the royal kitchens of Aranjuez, San Ildefonso and El Pardo are also exhibited.
Open every day
from 10.15 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entry:
3 euros (access is through the preferential door of the Royal Palace).
More information: www.patrimonionacional.es
Palace of the Marquis of Linares
Interior of the Linares Palace.
Located in the heart of Madrid, in the Plaza de Cibeles, the elegant and pompous building, today Casa América, was ordered to be built by the Marquis of Linares in 1877, hiring the best architects and craftsmen of the time.
Today it is one of the best preserved 19th century architectural ensembles from the 19th century in Spain
and its four floors feature a varied decoration inspired by various styles (including the Rococo).
Tapestries from the Gobelin Factory, abundant gilding and mythological paintings, murals, exotic wood and marble floors, French lamps, carpets from the Royal Tapestry Factory or silk from China decorate its many rooms.
In addition to the guided daytime tours, in which experts will tell the stories and legends related to the building,
on the first Saturday of the month, an evening activity is organized
with characters of the time as hosts who will reveal the most hidden and mysterious secrets of the palace, such as as it was in the 19th century.
Visits cost 8 euros.
Hours and more information
at www.casamerica.es
According to the criteria of The Trust Project
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