Chinchón

Chinchón is one of my favorite places in the region of Madrid. I've been there three times since 2014, most recently last week. Here are a few photos from different seasons.

In the summer, the circular Plaza Mayor doubles as a bull ring.

The town's main church overlooks the Plaza Mayor.

The bell/clock tower stands apart from the church. In fact, it was once part of another church that was destroyed by Napoleon's troops. / 2nd photo is a view of the church and Calle de la Iglesia winding below it. 

 Looking down on Plaza Mayor from in front of the church.

One of many bread and pastry shops in Plaza Mayor.

Below: two residential doorways; one door with a curtain to keep the heat out and another in a tiny courtyard filled with plants and flowers.

Below: Plaza Mayor looks quite different in the early morning -- and winter, when there aren't any bullfights.

Below: Ruins of the Castle of the Count of Chinchón.

Above, a bust of Ana de Osorio, Countess of Chinchon, who Carl Linnaeus named a genus of tree species after. The story goes that she promoted the use of the medicinal bark of the tree after she was successfully treated for malaria with it in Peru the 1630s. The scientific name was later modified from Chinchona to Cinchona, which is the accepted spelling today. It's also known as the Quinine Bark tree because that's where quinine comes from. 

Below more sreets and then some famous Chinchon pastries

Below, La Dulcera pastry shop and local delciacies such as Brothers' Balls & Novices' Tits

Brothers' Balls

Novices' Titis

Christmas Day 2015 Photos Madrid Fotos del Día de Navidad 2015

I took these during a Christmas Day walk in Cuña Verde Park, one of the group of parks that encircle my neighborhood. Happy Holidays, Carlos

Tomé estas fotos el día de Navidad durante un paseo por el parque Cuña Verde, uno de los parques que rodean mi barrio. Felices fiestas, Carlos

Photos: Saint Isidore Festival 15-17 May 2015 / Fotos: Fiesta de San Isidro 15-17 de Mayo 2015

Me

Saint Isidore lived here

Nice folks in traditional costume posed for me

More traditional costumes

A little parade...

...with some big people...

...and big heads

Gypsy lady playing an organ-grinder and giving out prayer cards

 

Food glorious food!

 

 

 

The anti-recession sandwich stand

Homemade stuff

Traditional roscones

Different flavored roscones have different names: Saint Clara, Smart, Stupid, Lemon, etc.

A Father in search of a flock

Goin' to the chapel

My Saint Isidore prayer card, which the gypsy lady gave me