Dienstag, 23. April 2013

Impressionen aus Madrid

Reisejournalismus und Spanisch im Sommer 2013
Redaktion Curso/CTR





















Mittwoch, 17. April 2013

Chueca

Chueca, named after 19th century spanish composer, Frederico Chueca, is a neighbourhood  is well known for its trendy and lively  nature. The area, north of the city centre is dotted with fashion boutiques,  restaurants and cafe bars and is home to the fashionable young people of the city. It is also known for being Madrid’s gay district and  every year the area hosts the annual Pride Festival.

Plaza de Chueca is the place to start when looking for a cafe or bar. This is also the ideal place to begin as the Chueca  Metro is in the center of the plaza itself. When in Chueca you should visit the famous Mercado San Anton as it has the freshest fruit and vegetables and supplies a wide range of meats, fish and other foods. It can be pricey at times but when the food is that good, you can make exceptions. The Mercado San Anton has an alternative system where you can purchase, for example fish and have it brought to the rooftop terrace
restaurant La Cocina de San Anton, where it is then cooked and served for you to enjoy.

Food shopping is great in this area, but the clothes shopping is even better. You can browse the many quirky boutiques such as Vallmai, on Calle Fernando VI, for one of a kind fashion that you cannot get on the high street. Chueca has great food, shopping and bars on offer and is definitely worth a trip when in Madrid.
Top spots
1. Mercado San Anton
2. La Cocina de San Anton
3. Plaza de Chueca
 
Team Curso/CTR Madrid

 

Freitag, 12. April 2013

Neighbourhood

Like any major city, Madrid has a range of diverse neighbourhoods with their own character and attractions. The main central neighbourhoods include the alternative Chueca and Malasaña, the sedate Salamanca, and the lively Lavapies and La Latina areas. Also, it consists of the serene Las Austrias, the classical Las Letras and of course the vibrant centre of Gran Vía and Sol. When walking around Madrid you will discover how different the neighbourhoods are. Salamanca, for instance, is considered the more affluent and peaceful area of the city, known as the designer district, where all the top fashion houses are located, it has long been the home to the wealthiest madrileños. Similarly, Las Austrais is considered the “royal” area due to the Palacio Real and the many plazas and churches, including the Plaza Mayor and Iglesia de San Andrés, in this old part of the city.

Close to Las Austrais is the animated areas of Lavapies and La Latina. Once considered the barrios bajas (low districts), these areas are full of character and are known to be up and coming areas for trade and investment. Likewise, Chueca and Malasaña north of the centre, off Gran Vía, have the reputation as alternative and modern areas. Chueca was originally home to blacksmiths and industry workers until the late 20th century. In the 21st century, it has transformed into Madrid´s stylish gay community. Malasaña has visual references to the resistance against the French in 1808, predominantly the Plaza de Dos Mayo, but it is also known to be a trendy neighbourhood with a vibrant nightlife.

For the more traditional part of Madrid Las Letras is the place to be. Famous for being the home to some of Madrid´s most famous writers such as Lope de Vega, Las Letras is full of history and charm. These districts give Madrid the reputation as a diverse and cosmopolitan city.

Dienstag, 2. April 2013

The Bear and the Strawberry Tree

Whether you have already discovered it around the city, or whether this guide is the first you see of it, you may be wondering what on earth is the meaning of the bear and tree. Do madrileño bears have a preference for pick-your-own? Are they substitutes for humans when orchard-employees are scarce? Or are they simply very healthy?

Unfortunately, we must disappoint you, as of course none of these theories are true. What is true, though, is that there is good reason for the bear-and-tree image to pop up everywhere: it is the heraldic emblem of Madrid. Let us take you through a short but sweet history lesson to explain.

Nobody is exactly sure of the origin of the emblem, but it is thought that the bear first appeared in the Middle Ages. This was on a banner carried by the madrileños during the Battle of Navas de Tolosa, 1212, against the Moorish invaders. One explanation for the bear on the emblem is that these animals were plentiful in the area and were thus deemed a fitting representation for Madrid. What not many may know is that there was a debate as to whether the bear was a he or a she, ‘el oso’ or ‘la osa’. Nowadays, the bear is known as a female, predominantly because the stars surrounding it on Madrid’s coat of arms represent the feminine constellation, Ursa Minor (Smaller Bear). And it satisfies any ardent feminists.

As to the origin of the tree (Arbutus unedo in Latin), the story is as follows: a dispute arose between the town of Madrid and the Church concerning the ownership of the surrounding land. In the end, in 1222, the Church took the pastureland and the town gained the forests. Madrid changed its emblem (possibly to represent these forests), adding a tree to the bear, although whether it was supposed to be the Strawberry Tree (or Madroño), we will never know.

If you haven’t yet stumbled across La Osa y el Madroño, it will appear either in the form of a 20-tonne statue on the north side of the Puerta del Sol; or on buildings, public transport, on drain covers, or in the many souvenir shops Madrid has to offer (to name a few places). To finish, there is quite an interesting theory as to why the bear, standing on its hind legs, is so keen on reaching the tree’s fruit. You might very well hear this tale from one of the locals or an unofficial tour guide roaming the streets. The story is simply that, as the fruit of the Strawberry Tree can be used to produce liqueur, the bear is nothing less than an alcoholic in adoration of the brandy-fruit! Smiling to yourself? Well, we’ll leave it to you whether you believe it or not…
La Osa y el Madroño

Team Curso/CTR Madrid