Daytrips from Madrid (and hotels to make them overnight trips)
Posted in Madrid on 18. Aug, 2011
Between boat rides on the lake in the Parque Del Buen Retiro, long days spent in the halls of the Prado, Thyssen Bornemisza and Reina Sofia Museums and the thousands of tapas bars and nightclubs throughout the city, Madrid has plenty to keep you busy. But if you can make the time, there are also many things to see surprisingly close to the Spanish capital city that you really don’t want to miss. Here are five of the most noteworthy choices:
El Pardo, 16 kilometres
Though mostly associated with General Franco, as the Palacio Real del Pardo served as the dictator’s residence for much of his rule, El Pardo and its palace have a long history, going back to at least the year 1406. That was the year that the palace was built by King Henry III of Castile. In 1739 the palace played a part in averting a war between Britain and Spain, when it played host to a peace conference, resulting in the Convention of Pardo. Now used as a residence for visiting heads of state, the palace is notable for its luscious interior decoration with its ceiling frescoed by Gaspar Becerra and paintings by Vincenzo Carducci and Cabrera. Besides the palace, the smaller royal residences of the Casita del Príncipe and the Quinta del Duque del Arco are worth seeing, as well as the 17th Convento de los Padres Capuchinos, which boasts a sculpture of Jesus by Gregorio Fernández. And don’t miss the Palace of Zarzuela.
Alcalá de Henares, 34 kilometres
The first of many UNESCO World Heritage Site close to Madrid, Alcalá de Henares is famous for many things. It is the birthplace of Don Quixote author Miguel Cervantes, and the house of his birth is now a museum. Another historical site worth seeing is La Catedral-Magistral, one of only two magisterial cathedrals in Europe. Inside is la Cripta de los Santos Niños, a tomb for persecuted Catholic children. The Corral de Comedias in central Plaza Cervantes is one of the oldest “Corral de Comedias” theatres in Europe, and the House of Hyppolytus is a Roman archaeological complex with well-preserved mosaics dating back to the 3rd century. The 14th century Archbishop’s Palace is also quite amazing, as is the House of the Interview, a Franciscan convent founded in sixteenth century. But what the city is really known for is la Universidad de Alcalá, a venerable old institution founded in 1499 by Cardenal Cisneros and the centre of Spain’s academic excellence in the 16th and 17th centuries.
El Escorial, 56 kilometres
Paris has Versailles, Berlin has Sanssouci, and Madrid has El Escorial. You may find this magnificent palace more somber than the others, but that’s because it was constructed by pious Philip II in the 16th century to serve as the royal monastery. You may be surprised to see how Spartan his own quarters are, but you will be bowled over by the gardens outside, the chapel in the centre and the ornate rooms and halls throughout the building. Now wonder that it too has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the windows and the balconies, you can just make out Madrid in the distance, and you can imagine the delight of the royals over the ages being able to see from one palace to the other. Speaking of the royals, one of the most impressive sights in el Escorial is the royal crypt downstairs, where nearly all the Spanish kings and queens can be found in a cool, somber chamber glistening with many colors of marble. After all that walking, you can stroll to the town centre of San Lorenzo del Escorial for a nice meal in a sidewalk café.
Toledo, 89 kilometres
Yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ancient walled city of Toledo was a rarity in that it was (for awhile anyway) one of the only places in Christian Spain where Muslims, Jews and Christians actually got along – in large part because of Alfonso X. Though the peace did not last, you still get to reap the benefits, as in addition to all the Christian monuments (such as one of the most impressive Cathedrals you’re going to find anywhere, there are still many remnants left behind from Toledo’s Moorish and Jewish inhabitants. For example, the Synagogue del Transito awaits in the old Jewish Quarter, now home to the Sephardic Museum, and the Tornerías Mosque dates back to the 11th century. Now owned by the Catholic Church, the Santa María la Blanca is the oldest Synagogue in Europe still standing. Toledo’s other claim to fame, besides its famous city walls and gates, is that it was home to El Greco. His presence is still felt everywhere, especially in the Museo de El Greco. The ancient Alcántara Bridge across the Tagus River takes you back to the time of the Romans, and for an unforgettable experience, you can just put away the guide book and get lost in some of the windiest Medieval streets in the world.
Cuenca, 168 kilometres
Not quite as famous as its Andalusian counterpart Ronda, the city of Cuenca is nonetheless quite impressive with its casas colgadas “hanging houses” defying gravity perched up there on top of those cliffs. Halfway between Madrid and Valencia, Cuenca can be accessed by high-speed rail, making it easy to visit. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city is not the ideal place for those afraid of heights. But for the stout-hearted, many rewards are waiting. This gem in the province of Castilla La Mancha offers a beautiful baroque Town Hall, built by Charles III in 1762 and supported by three Roman arches. Though the Cathedral is incomplete after an unsuccessful nineteenth century refurbishment, it is still quite beautiful, and one way to get into two of the hanging houses is to visit the Museum of Spanish Abstract Art, which has occupied them for the last several decades. The Archeological Museum reveals many Roman finds in the area. But in the end, the main reason to visit Cuenca is for the breathtaking views of the Huecar River Gorge from its 15th century casas colgadas.
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