Let's go to the Capitol!

August 5, 2017

Today we are going to Madrid!

The roundtrip was quickly and easily booked via "blalbacar". Taking a train or bus would have been more expensive, slower and unpractical. Therefore we decided to leave early Saturday morning at 6am so that we would arrive in Madrid around 9am. Our hotel check-in was around 9:30-10:00am. Luckily, the "blablacar" driver had his destination set to a street only 5 mins from our hotel. Our return trip was scheduled for Sunday, so we had two whole days to see Spain's Capitol. The sightseeing route, including interesting museums and attractions, was ready... Let's go!

When we arrived at the hotel we quickly grabbed our Kameras and phones and went to get Breakfast. After filling up on some energy we were ready to go! We had a full schedule. First, we bought our metro cards. 14 euros per card for 2 days. Similar to Berlin, but I didn't expect any different. For comparison; in Valencia a metro card for 3 days costs 10 euros. (As of Summer 2017)

Museo Cerralbo

First to the Museo Cerralbo.

This Museum is one of the most important museums in Madrid, even though is it not the most well known. It is located in the palace of the 17th Margrave of Cerralbo and allows its visitors a glimpse into the lives of the aristocratic family at the end of the 19th century.

The museum shows over 50, 000 pieces of work including but not limited to; paintings, ceramics, glass, tapestries, furniture, medals, drawings, prints, weaponry, armory and archeological finds. All pieces were donated by the Margrave to the state of Madrid.

After 2 hours we still didn't want to leave! Unfortunately we were pressed for time and had to keep going.

Palacio de Velazquez

"A PLACE FOR THE BODY" - FRANZ ERHARD WALTHER Exhibit

"First large retrospective exhibit in Spain by the German concept artist"

Franz Erhard Walther (*1939, Fulda) expands the understanding of Art and questions the relationship between the artwork and its recipient with his pieces. According to him, art has a immaterial performative character, that comes to light at the moment an viewer faces the artwork. -goethe.de

Well, this definitley wasn't my thing... just crossed it off my list and kept moving. Luckily, admission was free with the "Carnet Jove" card! (Usual admissions price: 3 euros)

Estadio Santiago Bernabéu

Nothing works without Real Madrid... At least in the Champions League. Even though I am not a huge RMCF fan, seeing their stadium with my own two eyes is a must.

The Stadium was not overwhelmingly excited. The outside was nothing special. Olymiastadion in Berlin is still a bit better...

Of course to really be able to judge it, one must take the stadium tour, however, 25 euros per person was too expensive for me. I would have payed that much for a tour of the Arsenal Stadium in London but in this case I had to say "Adios Bernabeu"! After visiting the Real Madrid official gift shop, it became clear to me how crazy Real fans were. Lighters with a Real Madrid logo sold for 10 euros and Pins (made in China) for 5 euros! Everything was bad quality but high prices. A replica jersey cost 120 euros and a Jersey with champions league logo, number and name cost 190 euros. It was insane! Oh well, at least there were other things in Madrid that were exciting and fun.

The Atletico Madrid Stadium, Estadio Vicente Calderon, was too far away for our short trip. Moreover, Atletico Madrid was changing arenas in September 2017 anyway. So, our trip though Madrid continued...

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