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A stone fountain in the shape of a castle in Alhama de Aragon, below the 14th century tower.

2 Apr 2024

The Aguas of Aragón

Clare Starkie | |

In the heart of Aragón, lies a thermal spa town, enjoyed by visitors for over 2000 years. READ MORE

Men in black capes and hats inspect a fake sardine presented inside a small wooden coffin as part of the Burial of the Sardine Festival in Madrid

21 Mar 2024

Go Fish! The Burial of the Sardine

Clare Starkie | |

The fishy tradition of Madrid's Burial of the Sardine Procession. READ MORE

Puerta de Alcala in Madrid

24 Jan 2024

A Tale of Two Puertas

Clare Starkie | |

What links the Puerta de Alcalá in Madrid and the Puerta de Madrid in Alcalá? READ MORE

Three sections of the Berlin Wall sit in an empty fountain

12 Jan 2024

Ein bisschen Berlin in a Barrio

Clare Starkie | |

Find out why there is a park dedicated to Berlin in a Madrid suburb. READ MORE

heapoffacts

🌸The blossoms are out in the Lisbon Gardens, th

🌸The blossoms are out in the Lisbon Gardens, the river under the Bridge of the King is in full flow and the Fountain of Good Luck is getting a good scrub! ⛲

All these locations feature on my new river tour, which I've been double checking this morning. It should be done in the next week, so watch this space! 👀

In the meantime, learn more about the Manzanares farther downstream, by downloading my first tour on the @myvoicemap app!

👇

https://voicemap.me/tour/madrid/madrid-walking-tour-manzanares-river-s-story-from-prehistory-to-popular-park

#voicemap
#heapoffacts #madridtourism #madridhistorico #manzanares #madridriopark #madridrio #madridtour #madridalcielo #madridarchitecture #madridcultura #visitspain #visitamadridespaña #visitmadrid #madridgram #madridparque #madridlove #tour_espana #tourguide #audiotour

At the base of the Obelisk of Arganzuela in the Ma

At the base of the Obelisk of Arganzuela in the Madrid Rio park sit two cheeky-looking sphinxes. The monument used to be part of a larger fountain complex, hence their spouty mouths.⛲

But what are sphinxes, a Greek and Egyptian mythical creature, doing in Madrid anyway?

🏛️It's all part of the Egyptian Revival style of architecture that became popular in Europe after Napoleon’s campaigns in North Africa in 1798. Increased interest in this ancient civilization led to Egyptian designs becoming trendy, reaching its height in the 1830s when the monument was built.

Find out more about this monument on my river tour!

👇

https://voicemap.me/tour/madrid/madrid-walking-tour-manzanares-river-s-story-from-prehistory-to-popular-park

#heapoffacts
#arganzuela #manzanares #madridrio #madridriopark #sphinx #ancientegypt #madridtourism #madridhistorico #madridtour #madridarchitecture #visitspain #voicemap #madridcultura #madridparque #madridgram #madridsecreto #madridlovers #madridmonumental

An old seating area of the thermal lake in Alhama

An old seating area of the thermal lake in Alhama is decorated with tiles showing scenes from Don Quixote!

#heapoffacts #lagotermalpallares #spainstagram #aragón #spaingram #spaintravel #donquixote #cervantes #spain🇪🇸 #spatown #ceramics #ceramica #ceramicart #tiles #tilesdesign

In Spain, midnight between Maundy /Holy Thursday a

In Spain, midnight between Maundy /Holy Thursday and Good Friday marks an important point in the Easter calendar.

Considered to be the exact time when Jesus died, bands of drummers all across the country recreate the earthquake that coincided with this moment.

In Alhama de Aragón, locals of all ages gathered in the town square to beat out the rhythms. When the rain got a bit heavy, the band moved under the traffic bridge and carried on.

#heapoffacts #spain #españa #alhamadearagón
#semanasanta #spanishmusic #cultura
#aragón #easter #goodfriday #spainstagram #spaintravel #spaingram #spain🇪🇸 #drumming #spain❤️ #visitspain

Instagram post 17885542077012650

Instagram post 17885542077012650

It's the start of Semana Santa here in Spain, and

It's the start of Semana Santa here in Spain, and managed to accidentally come across a procession in Alhama de Aragón.

(Best with the sound on)

#semanasanta #heapoffacts #easter #spaintravel #aragon #spain🇪🇸 #spainstagram #spaingram #visitspain

It's almost Easter and while I can't promise bunni

It's almost Easter and while I can't promise bunnies, there'll be plenty of wildlife to enjoy while taking a walking tour of the Manzanares!

Download the Voicemap tour below!

https://voicemap.me/tour/madrid/madrid-walking-tour-manzanares-river-s-story-from-prehistory-to-popular-park

#heapoffacts #voicemap #manzanares #madridtourism #semanasantamadrid #madridtour #madridnatural #aves #wildlife #visitspain #madriz #comunidaddemadrid #bestcitiesofeurope #spain #spain_gallery #naturaleza #littleegret #historiademadrid #madrid

With views across the Costa Blanca, the castle of

With views across the Costa Blanca, the castle of Santa Barbara looms above Alicante, on southern Spain’s strategically vital south coast.

The first fortress was built by the 9th century as part of Muslim kingdom of El Andalus and it's been a symbol of defence ever since.

The crossbow seems to be aimed at Benidorm by the way 🤔

#heapoffacts #spain #alicante #castillo #historiaespaña #castle #visitspain #españa

Mercado Central in Alicante #alicante #mercado #v

Mercado Central in Alicante

#alicante #mercado #visitspain #heapoffacts #españa #market #valenciaregion

🐺 The recent discovery of a rare silver brooch

🐺 The recent discovery of a rare silver brooch in the Valencian region has brought Spain's links to Ancient Rome into the news again.

This 2nd century decoration shows brothers Romulus and Remus and the female wolf that kept them alive long enough to found the city of Rome. Well Romulus anyway. He did NOT like to share.

It reminded me of the statue sitting high above Madrid's main street: Gran Vía. I've often walked past it, gone 'huh?', and then walked on. But today I actually checked out what it is!

The building, now a concept store called WOW, opened in 1915 as the Hotel Roma.

Showcasing the best of early 20th century luxury, it boasted a glass roof, hair salon, library and travel agent, along with over 110 rooms.

Much reformed in the last 100 years, it's lost some of its elegance and charm, but has kept the wolf and SPQR for that little hint of Italy. Something to gaze up at when you're fighting though the legions of shoppers. ⚔️

#madridalcielo #roman
#romulusandremus #granviamadrid #visitamadridespaña
#madridarchitecture #madridtourism
#madridhistorico #madridmemata
#madridgram #madrid #madridlove #madridcity #heapoffacts
#whathavetheromanseverdoneforus
#madridtour
#madriz

Brooch image: The Department of Culture of the Generalitat Valenciana.

Testing my second audio river tour, which includes

Testing my second audio river tour, which includes The Hermitage of the Virgen del Puerto built in 1718.

Dancers not guaranteed every time I'm afraid. 💃

In the meantime, check out my first tour on Voicemap!

https://voicemap.me/tour/madrid/madrid-walking-tour-manzanares-river-s-story-from-prehistory-to-popular-park

#heapoffacts #madridtourism
#madridhistorico #voicemap #madridtour
#madridarchitecture
#madriz
#madridgram
#madridcity
#tourmadrid #tourismmadrid #madridcity #madridlovers #madridsecreto

The Chocolate Tree 🌳 As I walk through my loca

The Chocolate Tree 🌳

As I walk through my local park to buy some chocolate (I'm finishing off my next audio tour, so I need a pick-me-up), I hear the wind rattling the dark seed pods above my head, in a slightly ominous way...

They belong to the Carob tree, native to West Asia and the Mediterranean, and fairly common in the parks around Madrid.

🌱 Their seeds have been used throughout history, both to eat and to be ground up in sweet drinks. First recorded in Ancient Egypt, they pop up in the Mesopotamian epic ’The Tale of Gilgamesh' and were 'food for pigs’ according to Roman writer Pliny the Elder.

🇪🇸 In Spain, they're used for animal fodder, but were a blessing during the Civil War when food was scarce and anything sweet would be welcome.

🍫 High in natural sugar and fibre, the seeds have been used as a healthier alternative to real cacao for decades. I tried it once, and, while not bad, it wouldn't replace the real thing for me. For now, they can stay as decoration for a winter's day.

#heapoffacts #madriz #carob #chocolate #madridgram
#madrid #madridnatural #parque #madridparque

Instagram post 18013460945485109

Instagram post 18013460945485109

The ornately carved Fuente de los Afligidos (The F

The ornately carved Fuente de los Afligidos (The Fountain of the Afflicted) looks like it belongs in the 17th century, but it actually only dates from 1952 when the area around Plaza de España was remodelled.

From its steps, you can see two other icons of Madrid 20th century architecture. On the left, the red and white Edificio España opened in 1953 which was, for a few years at least, the tallest building in Spain at 117 metres.

This crown was taken by the building on the right - the 142 metre tall Torre de España. From its opening in 1960 until 1982, this skyscraper towered over all others and earned it the nickname ’The Giraffe'! 🦒

#heapoffacts
#madridarchitecture
#skyscraper #madridcity #plazadeespaña #plazadeespañamadrid #visitamadridespaña #buildingsofmadrid #madridinstagram #madridcultural #tourismmadrid #torre #torredemadrid #madridlove #madridhistorico #madridmoderno #tourmadrid

Although the Matadero is now a cultural centre, th

Although the Matadero is now a cultural centre, there's no getting away from its original purpose as an abattoir and meat market.

These ceramic signs outside one of the exhibition spaces say ’slaughter of pigs’ - specifically ’cutting of the throat ’.

To find out more about this place, and others along the river, check out my audio tour:

https://voicemap.me/tour/madrid/madrid-walking-tour-manzanares-river-s-story-from-prehistory-to-popular-park

#MataderoMadrid #riomanzanares
#madridcultural
#madridtourism #tourismmadrid #madridtour #tourguide #visitamadridespaña #madrid #madridcity #madridhistorico #madridarchitecture #madridmemola #madriz #madridcityworld #madridsecreto #madridgram #madridmadrid

🐟 A fish in a coffin? 🎩 Men in capes and to

🐟 A fish in a coffin?
🎩 Men in capes and top hats?
🎶 Bagpipes?
💃 Giants in Spanish costumes?

⁉️ What on Earth is going on?

While other people start Lent with pretending to give up certain foods, all over Spain we like to celebrate the end of Carnival with the Burial of the Sardine.

Tonight in Madrid, there will be a very lively funeral procession, starting at the twin chapels of San Antonio de la Florida on the banks of the Manzanares River. The Alegre Brotherhood, dressed all in black, show off the famous, dead sardine (actually made of wood) dressed in its own little black outfit and lovingly placed inside a painted coffin.

The parade continues across the river with the Brothers swinging the coffin around on four chains, singing and passing sweets out to the children in the crowd. They are accompanied by ladies in black mourning clothes, wailing and crying over the late, lamented fish (they do break character now and again for a giggle and a chat). A troupe of Galician pipers and drummers, and giant figures representing a 'chulapo’ and ’chulapa': the traditional costume of Madrid's working people, complete the scene.

At nightfall, the procession reaches the Casa de Campo park, where the fish's Last Will is read, its mortal remains are laid to rest, and a big bonfire is lit to symbolise renewal and rebirth.

If this all sounds a bit crazy and a lot of fun, well it is! As usual with these traditions, no-one is exactly sure where it all started. One story is that King Carlos III ordered a load of fish in the 1770s for Lent, but they arrived so rotten and stinky, he ordered for them to be buried outside of the city walls by the river. Some say it has links to pagan rituals marking the end of winter, or, (most likely) it's a student prank from the 1800s after one too many cañas.

Whatever its origins may be, the festival was revived in post dictatorship Spain and is alive and kicking today.
Which is more than we can say for the fish. 😭

#heapoffacts #fiestas #fiestashistoricas
#madridcultura #vidamadrid #carnaval
#entierrodelasardina #pasion_por_madrid
#carnavaldemadrid #callesdemadrid #madridlove
#madridcity #comunidaddemadrid

Instagram post 18026949976767159

Instagram post 18026949976767159

The District of the Dragon 🐉 The Usera neighbo

The District of the Dragon 🐉

The Usera neighborhood of Madrid is in full swing with preparations for the upcoming Lunar New Year festival.

🎆 This weekend will see thousands of Madrileñes descend on my barrio, to see fireworks, taste some delicious cuisine and watch the local street parade. Over 35000 people of Chinese heritage live in Madrid, with a quarter living in this traditionally working class barrio south of the river.

The first generation of immigrants arrived on the back of a trade agreement between China and Spain in the 1970s. They mostly came from the eastern Zhejiang province, hoping to make a better life, as their region’s silk and stone industries were in serious decline. They mainly settled in Usera as it was cheap and slightly off the radar for the local council and their concern for strict trading hours.

🍜 Now the grid of streets between Marcelo Usera and Dolores Barranco in particular are packed with clothing stores, wedding planners and hot pot restaurants serving this diverse community. The upmarket fruterías, spotless homeward stores and trendy bars that have appeared in the last few years, reflect the growing affluence of the second and third generation of entrepreneurs.

New red lanterns have been hung up, and the local kids have been busy making dragon decorations out of paper plates, so let's hope the Year of the Dragon brings us all a bit of luck - Gon Hay Fat Choi!🏮

#usera #añonuevochino #madrid #madridlove #madridcultural #madridcity #madriddiferente #madridcultura #chinesenewyear #heapoffacts #madriz #madridcityworld #madridsecreto #dragon #madridtourism

The Arganzuela Monument was built in 1833 and was

The Arganzuela Monument was built in 1833 and was meant to celebrate the birth of the future Queen Isabella II. Her reign turned out to be NOT as fantastic as everyone hoped 😬 and now this monument sits rather unceremoniously next to the river Manzanares, largely ignored by most passers-by.

It does have a rather fine version of the Madrid coat of arms though. There's a dragon on the left and the famous bear and modrono tree symbol you see all around the city.

But what's with the bear and tree? Why is this a Madrid symbol? To find out more, check out Felicity Hughes’ latest blog post and all will be revealed! 👇

https://www.themakingofmadrid.com/2024/01/29/the-bear-and-the-strawberry-tree/

#madridcultural #madrid #historiademadrid
#arganzuela #madridsecreto #pasion_por_madrid #monument #riomanzanares #madridmonumental #unlimitedmadrid #turismocultural #madridmemola #oso #madridcityworld #demadridalcielo #historymatters #planesculturales #enjoymadrid

Never actually been under this bit of the Toledo B

Never actually been under this bit of the Toledo Bridge before...it's pretty tranquil and San Isidro is looking especially holy today.....

Find out more about Madrid's fanciest bridge on my audio tour!👇

https://voicemap.me/tour/madrid/madrid-walking-tour-manzanares-river-s-story-from-prehistory-to-popular-park

#madridtourism #visitamadridespaña
#voicemap #heapoffacts #madridcultural #madridcity #puentes #madridarchitecture #sanisidro #madridlove #naturaleza_madrid #madridhistorico #enjoymadrid #madridmadrid #riomanzanares #tour_espana #historicas #visitasguiadas #madridmola #culturalheritage #turismocultural

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