Thursday 4th July

Hot again today - off to the Cathedral de la Almudena - went in to the crypt section ( separate from church area) - commenced building 1875. Cathedral a much later addition. Now largest in Spain. It was full of the elite of Madrid buried in private crypts. Beautifully decorated.

Then to the luxurious amazingly beautiful Royal Palace. - built 1735 - 3418 rooms- antiques, chandeliers, embossed wallpaper, silver,glass wear etc etc ( no pics allowed) Baroque style.

In the evening we had dinner in Plaza Major then to a Flamenco show - tradition style with lots of Ole, tapping, clicking, singing, clapping - fabulous. Originatly Andalusian gypseys - but many Mediterranean countries had similar passionate dancing- popularised in mid 1800 when commenced dancing in cafes