Madrid in a Day

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[{"address":"Cats Hostel Madrid Sol","location":{"latitude":40.41292896352136,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"longitude":-3.701664799999995,"longitudeDelta":0.14813444671993536},"placeId":"ChIJSzF9H4AoQg0RITByx6eE0ds","media":[{"content":{"place_id":"ChIJSzF9H4AoQg0RITByx6eE0ds"},"type":"place"},{"content":"Good morning. I hope you slept well and are feeling ready to explore Madrid. Before we head out, I recommend grabbing a coffee here at the hostel. It's an easy way to start the day and get your energy up before hitting the streets.","type":"text"},{"content":"Take a moment to relax, sip your coffee, and get into the rhythm of the city. Once you’re ready, we’ll head out and make the most of it.\n","type":"text"}],"ttsFile":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FPnwDPCWt4KSuFn4bODw4%2Ftts_0.mp3?alt=media&token=7515826f-4ff0-4752-8b21-52a9d85f8049"},{"address":"Plaza Mayor","location":{"longitude":-3.707185957360455,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"longitudeDelta":0.14813444671993536,"latitude":40.415375385016006},"placeId":"ChIJ2eBf2H4oQg0R6CV21vDEAtI","media":[{"content":{"place_id":"ChIJ2eBf2H4oQg0R6CV21vDEAtI"},"type":"place"},{"content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FPnwDPCWt4KSuFn4bODw4%2Fcaption.jpg?alt=media&token=637b7121-81d8-40b4-acba-d655e1160ed4","type":"img"},{"content":"Welcome to Plaza Mayor, the historic heart of Habsburg Madrid. This grand square was commissioned by King Philip III and completed in 1619, designed by architect Juan Gómez de Mora. At its peak, it could hold over 50,000 people and has hosted everything from markets and public trials to theatre performances and coronations.\n\nThe equestrian statue at the centre, built in 1616 by Italian sculptor Giambologna and completed by Pietro Tacca, originally stood elsewhere before being moved here in the 19th century. During the Franco era, the statue was sealed, and it was only later discovered that the interior was filled with pigeon remains that had entered through the horse’s open mouth. The statue has since been restored and sealed properly.\n\nThe square is enclosed by uniform residential buildings with 237 balconies overlooking the cobbled centre. There are nine entrances, but the most famous is the Arco de Cuchilleros, named after the knife-makers who once worked on that street.\n\nPlaza Mayor has also endured disasters. Fires in 1631, 1670, and 1790 destroyed much of the original structure. The final rebuilding, led by architect Juan de Villanueva, gave the square its current restrained elegance and three-storey facades.\n\nThe most notable building here is the Casa de la Panadería. Originally Madrid's main bakery, it later served as the Royal Academy of History and a meeting hall. Its frescoes were repainted in the 1990s by artist Carlos Franco, blending mythological symbols with contemporary artistic flair.\n\nToday, the square remains a vibrant public space filled with cafés, souvenir shops, and seasonal events like the Christmas market. It stands as a symbol of Madrid’s ability to preserve its past while staying lively and lived-in.\n\n","type":"text"}],"ttsFile":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FPnwDPCWt4KSuFn4bODw4%2Ftts_1.mp3?alt=media&token=618006ab-aa37-4cb1-b9a5-c2bf82063d38"},{"address":"Cats Hostel Madrid Sol","location":{"longitude":-3.701664799999995,"longitudeDelta":0.14813444671993536,"latitudeDelta":0.09219986310369421,"latitude":40.41292896352136},"placeId":"ChIJSzF9H4AoQg0RITByx6eE0ds","media":[{"content":{"place_id":"ChIJSzF9H4AoQg0RITByx6eE0ds"},"type":"place"},{"content":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FPnwDPCWt4KSuFn4bODw4%2F2-3.jpg?alt=media&token=850ea0c4-34ce-4050-bd46-18d5683ff101","type":"img"},{"content":"What a day. I hope you had an unforgettable time out in Madrid. Now it’s time to come back and unwind in one of the hostel’s most iconic spots. The Cave.\n\nDuring the day it’s a quiet place to relax. At night, it transforms completely. You might walk into a flamenco show, a themed party or the start of the hostel’s legendary pub crawl. The Cave is all about good music, good people and a great way to finish the day.\n\nGrab a drink, settle in and enjoy the atmosphere. And if you’re not ready for the night to end, staying another night at CATS might be the best move yet.\n\n","type":"text"}],"ttsFile":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/freeguides-prod.appspot.com/o/assets%2Ftours%2FPnwDPCWt4KSuFn4bODw4%2Ftts_2.mp3?alt=media&token=b046871b-ceb7-4f2c-b5e4-99057239e7c9"}]