Madrid boasts both royal elegance and an artistic atmosphere

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This post was last edited by Design Rookie on 2016-5-31 22:26. Madrid is the capital of the Kingdom of Spain, and its political, economic, and cultural center. Madrid is also the tourist hub of Spain. Spain has a total of 41 World Cultural Heritage sites, six of which are located within about an hour’s drive of Madrid. It’s interesting to note that Madrid is indeed the geographical center of Spain; if you look at a map of Spain, Madrid is located in the center of it. But in my mind, what matters most about Madrid is the city’s royal atmosphere and artistic ambiance. I have been to Madrid twice before; this time I was in Madrid for only about half a day, as I had to catch an early flight the next day. In just half a day, aside from visiting the palace and its surroundings, some time was spent exploring the city center. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/hfDn-fxsktkz9726439.jpg The palace of the Bourbon dynasty, the kings of Spain. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/85MN-fxsktkz9726444.jpg The Spanish flag is flying over the palace. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/aQN9-fxsktkp9167180.jpg The palace is open for visitors and admission is required. However, photography is not allowed inside, so the entrance hall before entering has become a place where visitors rush to take photos. Just by looking at this hall leading into the palace, one can imagine how magnificent Spanish palaces are. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/kv1u-fxsktkz9726446.jpg The coat of arms of the Bourbon dynasty in Spain. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/ro80-fxsktkr5906477.jpg A large lion at the turn of the stairs seems very sad. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/auZc-fxsktkp9167186.jpg The Spanish Palace is built on a raised area, and at the edge of this area there are colonnades from which one can take in a view of the western part of Madrid; it’s quite impressive. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/uo21-fxsktkr5906479.jpg Lamp posts in the Palace Square. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/oOqe-fxsktkr5906481.jpg Across the Palace Square is the Almudena Cathedral. It is a modern church for which plans were drawn up in the 16th century, construction actually began in the 19th century, and it was finally completed in 1992. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/dcc0-fxsktkz9726449.jpg Right opposite the palace is the **Grand Theatre. It is a building that was damaged three times and rebuilt three times. What is seen now was built in 1997. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/ULIX-fxsktkz9726453.jpg Between the palace and the **theater lies an open, grand, and elegant Eastern-style square. Noble sculptures stand in Dongfang Square. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/3ByA-fxsktkz9726455.jpg This should be a modern sculpture. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/DwFZ-fxsmeif4724659.jpg There is a group of people riding balance bikes in the square; it’s not clear whether they are there for sightseeing or working. Anyway, it’s quite stylish. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/RZKT-fxsktkr5906488.jpg An elderly couple performing on the square. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/kU0m-fxsktkp9167195.jpg It’s not a long walk from East Square to Spain Square. In the center of the square is the Cervantes Monument. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/DJ-h-fxsktkr5906490.jpg A statue of Cervantes, along with statues of the characters created by him, Don Quixote and Sancho. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/dw8P-fxsktkz9726461.jpg Don Quixote is about to charge again. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/_Elr-fxsktkr5906492.jpg Columbus Monument. His greatness is unmatched in Spain. No matter where, a statue of Columbus must stand tall on a giant pillar. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/6PW2-fxsktkz9726463.jpg **In front of the library, there is a huge Spanish flag; whether the wind is strong or weak, the flag can be seen fluttering in the wind. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/AQ3J-fxsktkr5906494.jpg While my friends were shopping at high-end stores near the library, I took my wife on the subway to Plaza Mayor to experience Madrid’s grassroots art scene. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/pRDf-fxsktkr5906496.jpg An artistic ice cream advertisement. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/Z4_Q-fxsktkr5906498.jpg There are human sculptures in many places, and those in Plaça Major are even more attractive. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/vwzJ-fxsktkr5906500.jpg What kind of story’s image is this, probably? http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/s30w-fxsktkp9167198.jpg Experience bullfighting and flamenco. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/L7HZ-fxsktkz9726466.jpg Is it the director or a supporting role? http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/q5Hi-fxsmeif4724673.jpg Look how happy that child is; that’s true art. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/jSoF-fxsktkr5906505.jpg The interaction between sculpture and reality. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/UvwL-fxsktkz9726470.jpg The sculptures in Madrid’s busiest Plaza de España are even more story-rich. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/TKI3-fxsktkp9167202.jpg Don’t forget to check this out to prove that Madrid is the center of Spain. The 0-kilometer marker of Spain at the Temple of the Sun. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/f4Kw-fxsktkz9726473.jpg Coincidentally, it was my birthday before I left Madrid and returned to home. Friends bought cakes. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/Eyq8-fxsktkr5906510.jpg Make a wish to the birthday song. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/XZta-fxsktkr5906516.jpg As the sun sets and red hues fill the sky, soldiers practice shooting while returning to their camp. http://n.sinaimg.cn/travel/crawl/20160523/kO7F-fxsktkp9167212.jpg Heading to the airport during the morning rush to conclude the trip to Spain. Within a one-hour drive of Madrid, there are six World Cultural Heritage sites, namely: the Palace of Alhambra, the Old Town and Aqueducts of Segovia, the Old Town of Ávila, the Historic Center of Toledo, the Monastery of El Escorial, and the University City of Salamanca. Madrid truly deserves to be Spain’s tourist hub. In such a magnificent city, it is possible to experience its royal splendor and artistic atmosphere even for just a few hours.