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VIEWS FROM A TRIP AROUND THE WORLD
#7 - MADRID, SPAIN
Size: 3" x 5"
Copyrighted: 1891
Lithographer: Joseph P. Knapp
  
Illustrations: Bull fighter; Palace of Courts; La Rue d'Algala; Spanish Lady
| Reverse - Text |
Left section:
GRIND
YOUR COFFEE AT HOME
Right section: |
| MADRID, SPAIN. |
| Unlike nearly every
other Capital of Europe, Madrid
is not placed upon the banks of a
navigable river, being located in
the very centre of Spain, on a
vast sandy plateau about 2,200
feet above the sea level. The
view on approaching the city is
very fine; the atmosphere clear
and full of light, colors
cheerful, and the snowy heights
of the Guadarrama range forming a
noble background. It was chosen
as the Capital by Philip II, in
1560, but most of the great works
adorning the city were designed
in the reign of Charles III. The
houses are handsome and lofty,
generally built of brick; those
of the nobility, of stone. Plaza
Mayor is a grand square
containing a statue of Philip
III. on horseback. This square
was the scene of executions and
bull-fights. Calle d'Alcala is a
fine street leading to the Puerta
del Sol, a large, much frequented
area, where eight of the
principal streets meet. This
place is ornamented with a
handsome fountain, and when
lighted up at night, and crowded
with people, presents a very gay
appearance. |
| The
Royal Palace is a large square
edifice, 100 feet high, each
front extending 470 feet. It
commands a fine prospect and has
a splendid interior. The grand
staircase, Hall of the
Ambassadors, and numerous saloons
are in keeping with the design of
this most beautiful of Royal
Palaces. |
| There
are many famous art gallaries and
other places of interest. The
climate is noted for violent
extremes, there being often a
difference of 20 degrees between
the sides of the same street,
owing to the intense heat of the
sunny side, and the icy wind
blowing from the mountains on the
shady side. |
| In
the early centuries, owing to the
extreme elevation, water was very
hard to procure, being furnished
only by the Gallegos or water
carriers. It was a current joke
that every drop of water was
drunk and none left for ablution.
An English hydraulic company have
now provided the place with an
abundance of pure water. |
| Population 1887, 472,228. |
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