Royal Palace, Madrid, Spain by Konstantinos Dafalias

1. Madrid’s Royal Palace

The largest palace in Western Europe and probably the most beautiful is none other than the royal palace in Madrid. The palace holds many artistic treasures in the form of eighteenth century furniture along with priceless paintings and tapestry by Tiépolo Velázquez, Goya, Giordano and Mengs. A must visit because it is open to the public on all days in the year except on the occasions of special ceremonies and proceedings.

2. La Puerta del Sol

This is the central square of Madrid and is a short walk from the plaza mayor. It’s on the top 10 list due to the celebrations which take place in this location on New Year’s Eve. The square boasts the famous clock which everyone in Spain turn their eyes to. Millions gather on the square and will guzzle down a glass of wine for each of the 12 chimes at midnight on New Year’s Eve. This celebration is conducted every year in the blistering cold and is thoroughly enjoyed by every individual present there. The celebration is broadcast throughout Spain live every year.

3. The Debod Temple

What is a temple dedicated to gods Amon and Isis doing in Madrid? Many have asked this same question. An authentic Egyptian temple built in the year 2BC was shifted to Madrid in 1968 as a donation by the Egyptian government to the Spanish people. If the temple was not shifted from its original location in Egypt, it would have been submerged underwater from the construction of the Aswan dam. Along with the significance of the temple the site on which it stands is historic too; the site was host to revolts and riots during the 1936 Civil war.

Debod Temple, Madrid, Spain by Manuel Martín Vicente

4. The Prado Museum in Madrid

This is perhaps Madrid’s top and most famous cultural sight. Already ranked as one of the world’s top most art galleries it host works by revolutionary artists such as Raphael, Rubens, and Bosch. At the time of its inception the Spanish queen was impressed by the Louvre in Paris and wanted to boast her own country’s collection. At that point in history when art was given mass importance throughout the land this competition between both museums lead to a truly astounding collection and display of the best each country had to offer.

5. Retiro Park

Retiro Park is to Madrid as central park is to New York City. This is the most popular park in Madrid and is situated behind the Prado museum. The attraction in the park is the large lake where you can go boating. There are entertaining street performers in the park as well. The locals however use this park with the sole purpose of being lethargic. “Lazing around” transcends into an art form in this park.

6. La Gran Vía

This is possibly the most popular street in Madrid, often mentioned in many book and seen in many international movies this street boasts lavishly decorated building with great architecture. This large street was made with a view to solve the problem of a chaotic maze which previously had the same location.

La Gran Vía, Madrid, Spain by diego.aviles

7. The Rastro Flea Market

Every Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm in the center square of Madrid one of the most symphonic yet chaotic scenes can be seen. It is said to be the largest flea market in Europe hosting a variety of products both old and new. Over 3500 stalls stretch through many streets in the city’s working class neighborhood, it turns into a great place to practice some hardcore haggling skills. This great plethora of shopping, socializing, eating, drinking and generally having some Sunday fun was all brought to life at sometime during the middle ages.

8. Plaza de Cibeles

The fountain of Cibeles is a monument dedicated to the Goddess Cibeles who is the Greek goddess of fertility. This icon has been adopted by the football team of real Madrid and is found on all their football wear. This is often a hangout joint for football fans during and after matches. The football players themselves are in the tradition of visiting the fountain to meet their fans after they play a major tournament or championship.

Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid, Spain by Paul Virostek

9. The Basilica of San Francisco el Grande

The basilica is dedicated to our lady of the angles and is located near the royal palace. With the biggest dome in Spain and the 3rd biggest in Europe the basilica is truly a marveling sight. This one basilica host three chapels and each one is adorned with paintings done by a different yet equally famous artist of the time.

10. Fountain of Neptune

This fountain of Neptune who is the Greek God of the seas; is seen many times in several movies and is testimony to the hold Spain had on the seas during the crusades and to the strength of the Spanish navy. This statue is a counterpoint to the Cibeles fountain. Both at a point used to face each other but the government later decided to turn them to face the city.

About the author: Chris Lane is a writer and blogger. He loves travel and has recently gone on a Ghana trip, which he is planning to write about in the next few weeks.

The post 10 Must See Places in Madrid | Spain appeared first on Europe Explored.

Lake Orta is situated only 35 kilometers northwest of Novara. The city is a popular stop on the Turin-Milan rail line. However, the lake is only 6 kilometers south of the Toce which is the more popular stopping point for people making their way to Lake Orta.

Lake Orta, Italy by Blooming-Garden

In the middle of Lake Orta is where you will find the Island of San Giulio. The island of San Giulio is only 275 meter long and 140 meters wide. The first chapel built on the island was first erected back in the 5th century. Today, the picturesque buildings on San Giulio are part of a Benedictine Monastery. It was named after the 4th century Saint Claire of Novara.

It is believed that the glacial sheets which formed Lake Orta were also the same that were known to have led to the formation of Lake Maggiore. It is believed that as the glaciers retreated, the water created from their melting was only partially diverted to Orta. Regardless of their formation, both lakes are very popular destinations for Italians and tourists alike.

San Guilio island, Lake Orta, Italy by Alessandro Vecchi

The shores surround Lake Orta are covered with lush green fields and many olive groves. While there are several beaches to choose from, most people who make their way to the lake instead opt to head out into the lake for a relaxing day away from the distractions of the countless tourists that line the shorelines. There are many attractions in the area and some fine resorts and restaurants located along the shores of Lake Orta.

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