Madrid

 

Madrid is the capital of Spain and a world hub of great cuisine and museums. This view is of the Royal Palace from the Western Park.

The National Archeology Museum is top notch. Above is a Bronze Age stela from western Spain.

Art has improved in Salamanca since the Bronze Age.

Sweet horns

The Candlesticks of Lebrija are from the 8th century B.C. near Seville. They depict a Phoenician deity represented by a tree.

Part of an Iberian yoke from Jaen from the 4th century B.C.

The Lady of Baza is from an Iberian grave in Granada. It depicts a high born woman.

The Biche of Balazote is from southeastern Spain. It is a human/bull hybrid made in the 6th century B.C. influenced by the Greeks, and was meant to protect a tomb.

The Lady of Elche was made by a Greek sculptor of an Iberian high-born woman in the 5th century B.C. near Alicante.

Iberian high fashion

A Hispano-Roman law tablet from the 1st century B.C. from Malaga.

This Roman law tablet from Seville prevents citizens serving in public office from accepting gifts. Different century, same problems.

A 3rd century A.D. gladiator fight

Chariot racers

A terrible way to go

"Genius of the Year"

Medusa and the Seasons

6th century A.D. Visigothic belt buckles 

6th century A.D. Visigothic eagle brooches found near Guadalajara

The Guarrazar Hoard of votive Visigothic crowns from the 7th century A.D.

A 10th century doe shaped fountain jet from Muslim Cordoba.

Christian kingdoms re-used much of the loot from the Reconquista.

They must have known their repurposed box praised Allah...

The museum had a special exhibition on Dacia, Roman Romania. This helmet is from the 5th century B.C.

The Celts that invaded Romania in the 4th century B.C. were absolute chads.

The only way to hunt is in that outfit.

Don't mess with Glykon

Nice owl

5th century A.D. jewelry from Romania

Spain has many amazing art museums. Some art is better than other art.

You can't take pictures at the Prado, but you can at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.

Modern art instillations are unnecessary at the worlds greatest art galleries...

Sangria and shishito peppers!

We went to a strange instragram bar that appropriated the radical dramatist and novelist Inclan.

Cool roof

They had good burrata injected with sauces.

Salmon Guru was another amazing bar.

Los Gatos had amazing tapas

Suckling pig from Botin, Madrid's oldest restaurant

The Catedral de la Almudena is next to the Royal Palace of Madrid.

It is more colorful than most Spanish cathedrals.

The Royal Palace of Madrid was built in the 18th century after a fire.

What a royal greeting!

Charles V looks great next to the Christmas decorations. 

The Temple of Debod, in the Western Park, was given to Spain by Egypt for helping with preservation work in the 20th century.

Daring food from possibly the worst KFC in Europe

The Chrystal Palace in El Retiro Park

There was an interesting art instillation inside.

Corona conquistadors?

Madrid is one of the world's great cities.