Three Days in Madrid — Day One continues

Continuing our Day One walk-around Madrid, we headed back to the west from Buen Retiro Park. Traveling alone Calle de Alcalá we found some architectural gems rivaling those along Gran Via. Just outside the park is the Puerta de Alcalá in the Plaza de la Independencia.

Make sure you zoom in on that area atop the arch:

Continuing west you reach the Plaza de Cibeles, which contains the magnificent Cybele Palace:

Continuing along Calle de Alcalá you pass in quick succession the Church of San José:

The Edificio Metrópolis (pictured at the top of this article; closeup here) built in 1911:

Along the way I also found this beautiful red cat watching over everyone below, as cats are wont to do:

Next up was the Church of the Calatravas:

And right next to the church is this bit of Art Deco architectural style:

This Friday will not be the usual Fun Photo Friday, but rather a Fun Food Friday as we go out to dine on that quintessential Spanish tradition—tapas. To get to our restaurant we have to go south through Plaza de Canalejas, passing right by the beautiful Edificio Menses with its intricate brickwork and colorful ornamentation: