Essential History | The people, places and events that have shaped our history and culture
The people, places and events that have shaped our history and culture
Sights, attractions and places of interest beyond London
On Sundays and bank holidays, Madrid’s famous flea market kicks off at 8am, lasting until around 2pm – stretching one kilometre down Calle Ribera de Curtidores. Owing to its location near a former slaughterhouse, ‘El Rastro’ derives its name from the entrails and blood of the slaughtered livestock. During and after the market, there are [...]
Madrid has over 80 churches, so selecting five to visit is tough. We’ve gone with prioritising beauty and historical importance. The list excludes Madrid’s cathedral (La Almudena), which will be described in a subsequent post – although many Madrilenos (regarding its newness, funding and architecture as inappropriate) have a take it or leave it attitude [...]
Around three kilometres west of the city centre of Madrid an enormous rural park, twice the size of London’s Richmond Park, dominates the landscape. Originally a royal hunting ground established by Philip II (and retained by subsequent royals until the Second Republic finally opened it to the public in 1933) it’s a favourite weekend retreat [...]
Plaza del Rey is home to the curiously named Casa de Las Siete Chimeneas (House of the Seven Chimneys) - apparently each representing one of the seven deadly sins. Completed in 1577, it’s one Madrid’s oldest buildings, and is now home to the Ministry of Education and Culture. Plenty of lore is associated with the [...]
The history of Hatfield House starts in 1485, when the Bishop of Ely (Cambridgeshire) constructed Hatfield Palace, today known as the Old Palace. At the Dissolution of the Monasteries (1536-41), Hatfield Palace was acquired by King Henry VIII, passed down in sequence to his children; Edward, Mary and Elisabeth and then inherited by King James [...]