Now I have traversed the central city a couple of times I am beginning to have a sense of the inner city's layout and of its 'monumentality' - literally. Everywhere you turn there is a graphic reminder of the power of royalty or the catholic church. It is a city of statues, fountains, beautiful parks and, above all, of people. The streets are packed and not just with tourists.
To begin with, some sense of that monumentality...
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| Plaza Mayor |
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| On the Plaza de la Cibeles |
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| Parque de El Retiro - Monumento Alfonso X11 |
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| Palacio Real - one side |
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| Palacio Real - other side |
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| Catedral La Almudena |
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| From the dome of La Almudena |