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Photo of the Day
Atocha Station
Atocha Station in Madrid comes complete with a... tropical forest inside. The rare mix of French architecture, swaying palms, cafes, candy shops and, yes, even night clubs ought to keep you entertained while you wait for your next train. See review for details. Photo by Kike - also see his websites 1 & 2.
Info on Madrid's Famous Avenue, Gran Via
History of Madrid's Most Famous Avenue, Gran Via
by Andre Nakazawa
Anything with the word “grand” in its name had better live up to this lofty title. The main thoroughfare of Madrid, Gran Via, does just that. Conceived in the mid 19th century...
Photo of the Day
Gran Via in Madrid
For more infomation on Gran Via, its history and its monumental architecture, see our article. Photo by Kike also see his websites 1 & 2.
travel - Salamanca
Salamanca: The World’s Favorite City
by Andre Nakazawa
For a city most well-known for its historical university, Salamanca offers surprisingly more than parchment and scholarship. From breath-taking plazas to renaissance architecture and bumpin’ discos, this city offers something for everyone...
Photo of the Day
Salamanca by Night
Salamanca is a city that boasts a world-famous 13th-century university, Cathedrals, and Roman architecture - not to mention huge tapas and great discos. How can you resist? See review. Photo by Andre Nakazawa.
Castles - Castillo de Manzanares el Real
Fairytale Castle Just outside Modern Madrid: Castillo de Manzanares el Real
by Andre Nakazawa
Knights in shining armor, the King on his throne and sentinels patrolling their watchtowers. Everything you assumed was mere childhood fantasy materializes in the 15th century Castillo de Manzanares el Real.
Beautifully preserved, the castle lies a stone’s...
Photo of the Day
Storybook Perfection
Less than an hour away from Madrid, this 15th century castle is a great day-trip for those with little time or money to spare. See Andre Nakazawa's review on Castillo de Manzanares el Real.
Event - redefine city Space
City Space: The Final Frontier
So, here in Madrid, it has been a wacky week. First, politically rallying pigs overtook a bar in Malasaña and now architectural anarchists are planning on over-run the city. But don’t worry, both camps are cool… uh, we think. Read on and figure it out for yourself: Consider your city as a virgin space and become a new kind...
Photo of the Day
Zap Speaks to the People
More visual irony by our man on the street.
Photo by Jacobo de Castro. For more Madrid photos and writing by Jacobo see his blogs
1, 2, and
3.
Art in Madrid - Architectural Photography
Architectural Photography: Gabriele Basilico "Intercity"
Collectively we have officially become city slickers. The shift in the bulk of the world’s population from rural to...
Photo of the Day
Gabriele Basilico's Intercity
Basilico's photograhpic exhibit covers architecture from around the world. See article
travel - Barcelona
Bridgin' to Barcelona
Stepping off the bus in Barcelona we had the hunched posture of knuckle dragging Neanderthals – a consequence of “sleeping” in fetal position on the night bus. Not an ideal start to a trip; however, a teacher’s salary doesn’t afford one the luxury of flying. Sticking with the travelers' motto: “No bad experiences, just good anecdotes”, we soldier, or rather lumbered, on...
escape - Segovia
Segovia - Close, Cheap, Great Suckling Pig - What More do you Want?
Once upon a time, there was a quaint little town by the name of Segovia, found deceptively close to the metropolitan city of Madrid. Perfectly preserved in its medieval splendor, the city of Segovia exemplifies the more traditional side of Spain. El Casco Antiguo of the city is where a majority of the historical sites are located, all of which can be found within walking distance of one another. This scenic walk begins at the ancient Roman...
art - Free admission at the Prado
No More Excuses - Visit the Prado!
Though sickness and relative ineptitude are common pleas, lack of money is one of the finest justifications for a lack of cultural exploration. Unfortunately for you...
art - photography
Isabel Muñoz - The Best of Brain and Braun
Isabel Muñoz is one of the most important and exciting figures in Spanish photography today. She is renowned for using one of the most difficult photo developing techniques, platinotype, using platinum paper to produce superior quality B&W photographs. Her work is a treat for the...
Art - All-Night Art Festival
Noche en Blanco: Art All Night Long!
This Saturday, you have just one more reason to stay up late. In fact, you’ll be regarded as a connoisseur and a cultural gourmet if you do: for the second year in a row, Madrid will turn itself into a living piece of art. A few years ago Paris came up with the idea of opening museums and organizing activities on a Saturday night, long after regular opening hours. It was such a success that every self-respecting big European city has its own version and in Madrid they named it Noche en Blanco...
architecture - abandoned buildings
Nobody’s Watching Anymore
The last time Cine Bogart, one of many abandoned landmarks in Madrid, was in the news was when okupas (squatters) entered to hold their conference for better housing in 2006. And this year, a gallery organized a photo shoot and decided to use Old Bogie, graffiti left by the squatters included. When they left, the 90-year-old entrances were shut with cement to discourage wannabee tenants and things went quiet again. Just as they have been for the last 7, 8 years, according to the porter next door. He has fond memories of...
From our former site
The Making of Madrid - How the Architectural Style Came To Be
Palacios or How to Build a Metropolis. If Antonio Palacios would have had his way, you would now be living in a city crammed with cathedral-like buildings serving as hotels, art centres and government buildings. Sol would have been ellipse-shaped ...