MADRID – Nightsky’s trip to the exciting capital of Spain

[Nightsky]

North part of Parque del Oeste:

The park is very big and the north part is were the west part of the city ends. It is very beautiful. It is close to Arco de la Victoria, Faro de Moncloa and Museo de América, 3 landmarks that is just next to the busy highway like Avenida Arco de la Victoria. The Ministry of Air Defense is also near.


It is hard to believe this is in February with the blossoming cherry trees and all the greenery.

Yet another equestrian statue, here in Parque del Oeste.



Paseo de Ruperto Chapi.

[Nightsky]

Moncloa
-around Arco de La Victoria, Faro de Moncloa, North Parque del Oeste and Museo de América

Moncloa-Aravaca is the 9th district of Madrid and is a student area. It is situated in the northwest end of Madrid, but only 12 blocks from Plaza de España. The northern end of the beautiful Parque del Oeste is bordering the district. Atround Plaza de Moncloa you can find Arco de la Victoria, Faro de Moncloa and Museo de América, as well as The Spanish Airforce Headquarters.


Arco de la Victoria. Built by Franco as late as in 1956. Sometimes it is called Moncloa Gate, a name preferred among the citizens that don't want to be reminded of Franco.

The Victory Arch is 39m tall. It is situated in the middle of the Avenida Arco de la Victoira one of the first things you see when you approach the city from the North. Franco used to drive this way on his way from the residence. It was built to honour Franco's nationalist army.


Cuartel General del Ejercito del Aire (the headquarters of the Spanish Air Force).

Museo de América. An underrated museum that I, like many others, missed. Probably because of its location. And there are too many great museums in Madrid. The museum is about latin american history.

Calle de la Princesa at Moncloa Gate. At the end you can see Plaza de España.

The Moncloa metro station with mountains in the back.

Moncloa-Aravaca District Hall is next to the large metro station at Plaza del la Moncloa.

Arco de la Victoria and Faro de Moncloa. The place is called Plaza de Moncloa.

Museo de América and Faro de Moncloa from 1992, the 100m tall futuristic observation tower that was closed for renovation. Unfortunately also the only observation tower, so it was really a shame that we couldn't get up and see the city from above. And a city of Madrid's size should really have observation decks!

The west end of the city. The trafficated Avenida Arco de la Victoria with the beautiful mountains of Sierra de Guadarrama as the backdrop.

[Expat]

Ha! You are still at it in Madrid! Interesting to get a glimpse of Franco's commute.

[Danny]

Originally Posted by Nightsky

[b]Moncloa


Museo de América and Faro de Moncloa from 1992, the 100m tall futuristic observation tower that was closed for renovation. Unfortunately also the only observation tower, so it was really a shame that we couldn't get up and see the city from above. And a city of Madrid's size should really have observation decks!

Thank you again for your pics, Nightsky!

Yes, I can´t understand why Madrid hasn´t any observatory to see the city from above. I´ve always wondered why, and I´ve no answer. We´ve four new skyscrapers, CTBA, and none of them has an observatory deck. It´s incomprehensible.

Faro de Moncloa has been, and it´s still closed from many years ago. However, this was not a good observatory, as it is very low. Besides, you could see only a part of the city from above.

We´ve more buildings, like Torre de Madrid, Torre España, Torre Picasso, Torres Kio, Torre Europa..., and none of them has a shit observatory. Absurd!

What a shame! In Madrid it doesn´t exist that touristic vision. Maybe spanish culture, I don´t know.

Greetings from Madrid, Spain.

[ColDayMan]

This tour keeps on givin'!

[Nightsky]

Some forumers have told me that there are several observation decks in Madrid: in the city hall, in a building next to Metropolis bldg, the Reina Victoria hotel...but I didn't know then. ¨

I will add more photos, next from east and west Madrid.

Thanks for still following the thread!

[Nightsky]

Goya district:

Goya, named after the famous painter, is a district just Northeast of Parque Retiro between downtown and the outskirts. Plaza Dalí and Calle de Goya are important places here.



The intersection Calle de Alcalá/Calle de Goya.

The intersection has yet another branch of El Corte Inglés can be found here.

The Goya statue at the intersection Calle de Alcalá/Calle de Goya.


Calle de Goya.

[Nightsky]

Plaza Salvador Dalí:

Plaza Dalí is the modern square in the heart of Goya district, that was designed by Salvador Dalí himself in 1984.It features sculptures and art by Dalí
and was his last work. It is popular among young skateboard riders.



This mini amusement park next to Plaza Dalí features humoristic copies of famous landmarks.


Art on the street that reminds of car parts. Special...


Avenida Felipe II leads to Plaza Salvador Dalí with its dolmen and sculpture and Palacio de los Deportes, a sports and music arena.

The "G" stands for Gala, Dalí´s beloved wife.

Dalí designed a granit dolmen (a portal tomb) and a statue of a human creature on a cubic pedestal.



Palacio de los Deportes, an arena that holds sport events (mainly basketball and handball) and concerts. It was built between 2002 and 2005 after the previous arena was destroyed by a fire in 2001. The left part of the building has a modern glass tower, that is a bit like a more conservative and less spectacular version of Lloyds Building in London.

In 2002 there were plans to remove Dalí's art. Enthusiasts managed to save only parts of it, so not all of the original art remains today. The dolmen was shortened.

Calle de Alcalá towards the tall Torre de Valencia.

[Austinlee]

Gran Via is ridiculously nice.

[Nightsky]

Calle de O´Donnell and Torre España:


Torre España. The tallest TV tower of Madrid is situated in the Eastern outskirts. You can also see a church and some residential blocks here at Calle O´Donell. In the background you can see the East end of the city.

Torre España is 231m tall and was built in 1982.

[Nightsky]

That's all for now! Perhaps I will add a section with night photos.