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Madrid 4 12 16



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On the way to the first museum, we encountered this very attractive vertical garden designed by French botanist, Patrick Blanc, in the CaixaForum.
On the way to the first museum, we encountered this very attractive vertical garden designed by French botanist, Patrick Blanc, in the CaixaForum.
Unfortunately, when we arrived at Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, we found it was closed on Tuesdays so we would have to return on another day. This sculpture in the plaza outside is a reproduction of Alberto Sanchez' work for the Spanish pavilion at the Paris World Fair of 1937 where Picasso's "Guernica" was initially exhibited.
Unfortunately, when we arrived at Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, we found it was closed on Tuesdays so we would have to return on another day. This sculpture in the plaza outside is a reproduction of Alberto Sanchez' work for the Spanish pavilion at the Paris World Fair of 1937 where Picasso's "Guernica" was initially exhibited.
Picasso's "Guernica" painting is in this museum and we viewed it the following day. For now, we headed up the street to the Prado Museum.
Picasso's "Guernica" painting is in this museum and we viewed it the following day. For now, we headed up the street to the Prado Museum.
Statue between the Prado Museum and the Botanical Garden of Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, a Spanish painter.
Statue between the Prado Museum and the Botanical Garden of Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, a Spanish painter.
We waited a long time in the rain to enter the Prado Museum (attendance numbers are controlled) and took this photo of the famous Madrid Ritz Hotel while standing in line. The hotel opened in 1910 after King Alfonso XIII insisted that Madrid have a better hotel to serve his guests.
We waited a long time in the rain to enter the Prado Museum (attendance numbers are controlled) and took this photo of the famous Madrid Ritz Hotel while standing in line. The hotel opened in 1910 after King Alfonso XIII insisted that Madrid have a better hotel to serve his guests.
After leaving the Prado, we walked up the street and saw the Monument to Fallen Heroes. It has an eternal flame and is considered somewhat similar to tombs of the unknown soldier elsewhere in the world.
After leaving the Prado, we walked up the street and saw the Monument to Fallen Heroes. It has an eternal flame and is considered somewhat similar to tombs of the unknown soldier elsewhere in the world.
One of Madrid's beautiful parks we saw during our walk back to the hotel.
One of Madrid's beautiful parks we saw during our walk back to the hotel.
The Cybele Palace, formerly called the Palace of Communication. It was once the headquarters of the postal service and became Madrid's City Hall in 2007. Note the Refugee sign on the building.
The Cybele Palace, formerly called the Palace of Communication. It was once the headquarters of the postal service and became Madrid's City Hall in 2007. Note the Refugee sign on the building.
The Instituto Cervantes. It is a non-profit formed by the Spanish government to promote Spanish culture and language.
The Instituto Cervantes. It is a non-profit formed by the Spanish government to promote Spanish culture and language.

This Tuesday was supposed to be "museum day" and we had three museums picked out, all in relatively close proximity to each other.  We left the hotel and encountered rain again but figured it wouldn't matter much with visits to museums. First, we headed to the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía.


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