We'll depart from Plaza de los Guardias de Corps, in the heart of Madrid's Barrio de Maravillas, a central but not at all touristy area, ideal for exploring at the end of the activity. We'll go down to the ancient Muslim city to find out what lies beneath its surface. We'll continue on our way, but not before talking about the religious desire to collect relics of saints and their supposed magical and healing effect.
We will pass through Plaza Mayor and feel chills as we hear first-hand accounts from travellers who passed through Madrid three centuries ago and witnessed one of its Autos de Fe. We'll visit a convent inhabited by cloistered nuns who make a living by making delicious sweets and pastries.
We'll cross the Royal Gardens of Buen Retiro to visit the tombs of some presidents who were assassinated and who today rest in beautiful tombs adorned with Neoclassical-style sculptural groups (closed in the afternoon). Next, we'll enter one of the most beautiful and luxurious churches in the city. Under its dome lie the remains of a king who decided to renounce the glory of being buried alongside other Spanish kings and emperors, and we will explain why. The tomb is decorated with a sculptural group of restrained expressiveness, typical of the Neoclassical period, which was designed by one of the favourite architects of the court of King Carlos III.
We'll cross the Tribunal district, the scene of fierce battles between its brave inhabitants and the Napoleonic military, enjoying one of the few examples of Gaudí-style architecture in Madrid. We'll end the tour by crossing Calle de San Bernardo, where just two hundred and fifty years ago, prisoners sentenced to the stake took their last steps before being executed. Today, the residents live oblivious to such a macabre past, in highly sought-after apartments.
We will end the activity at the same point of origin. As an option, we will visit a wine bar where we will uncork a bottle of quality white or red wine, accompanied by tapas and typical Spanish starters (price not included, see rates).