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10 Things You Didn’t Know About Madrid

 

The following 10 monuments, parks and artifacts are probably unknown to most people who visit and even live in Madrid. Let us know in the comments below, if you already knew some of the things mentioned or inform us of things we did not mention.

Metro Stations double as Archaeological museums

Metro Museum
Metro Museum

The metro stations of Opera, Sol, Carpetana have archaeological remains which are now exhibid as archaeological museums. Metro Opera has the remains of the former fountain and Arab baths, metro Carpetana has the fossils of animals from the Middle Miocene epoch. Lastly, during the excavations for the construction of both the Apple Store and the extension of the Cercanías in metro Vodafone Sol traces of a medieval churches and hospital were discovered. Metro users can see the remains in all three metros behind glass partitions.

Groupama Carillons of Plaza de las Cortes

Unlike other European cities with centennial history and tradition of carillons, those found in Madrid’s Plaza de las Cortes exist since 1993. They consist of 5 figures of well known Spanish personalities such as Carlos III, remembered by many as the best mayor in the history of Madrid, the Duchess of Alba with her poodle, the famous painter Goya, the renowned bullfighter Pedro Romero and a ‘manola’ and a the typical Madrid woman.  It has a total of 18 bells, ring in the hours 12 noon and 10 pm. On special occasions like Christmas, January 20th  to Jan. 7th, the spectacle can perform up to four times each day at 12 pm, 7 pm, 8 pm and 9pm.

El Bosque Encantado

El Bosque Encantado or Enchanted Forest in English is a place for fantasy. It is a unique botanical garden in Europe, with more than three hundred living sculptures created ​​by the best Topiary sculpture artists from Europe and more than 500 plant species from around the world planted in the park. The forest is complemented with mazes, exhibitions of cactus, bonsai, herbs, where children and those who want to relive the child inside can spend unforgettable hours in a magical setting with streams passes well and a few natural waterfalls.

Gold Reserves under our feet

Atocha Clock
Atocha Clock

The vault of the Bank of Spain is a few meters from the Bank of Spain of Metro Line 2, between Bank of Spain, and the Retiro station. That’s where, allegedly, tons of gold and valuables owned by Spain are saved. This formidable fortress is home to millions of Euros in gold bars and coins. Only a handful of people have access to this place 35 meters underground safeguarded behind steel doors of between  8 and 15 tons each manufactured by the York Safe and Lock company imported from Pennsylvania, USA.

Sections of the Berlin wall in Madrid

Madrid has sections of the Berlin walls at 2 addresses of the city. Firstly, three blocks of the famous wall can be viewed in the Berlin Park in the Chamartin area while others are situated in the Parque de Europa of Torrejon de Ardoz.

Biggest clock in Madrid

Though all eyes get fixed on the Puerta del Sol clock every New Year’s Eve, to celebrate the New Year, it is not the biggest clock of the city. Atocha station boasts the biggest clock of the city on its façade. Its hour and minute hands measure 5m and 7m respectively.

Emblematic French-styled Metropolis

The building´s architects were French and it was inaugurated in 1911. Crowning the building is a circular tower described as “Pompier style”, from the French word Pompier alluding to the resemblance to a firefighter’s helmet. The dome is covered by 30,000 leaves of 24 carat gold, a meticulous task which was entrusted to renowned artisans.

Monument Replica Park

The Parque de Europa hosts replicas (some in almost real-life size) of many well recognized monuments in Europe the London Bridge, the Roman Trevi Fountain, the Eiffel Tower, the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen , the Berlin Wall (mentioned in this article), Puerta de Alcalá, the David by Michelangelo and  Manneken Pis (the child urinating ) in Brussels among others.

Monument of Perpetual Flame

The Monument to the Fallen for Spain is the equivalent in other countries to the tomb of the unknown soldier. It is located in the Plaza de la Lealtad in Madrid, where the French troops under General Murat shot a large number of locals after the uprising of May 2, 1808. At the monument base, a flame which perpetually burns (from a gas supply) can be found in honour of the victims. Its location is in the Plaza de la Lealtad, a few meters from the Stock Exchange building of Madrid.

 

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