Madrid: Plaza Mayor

Walking distance from Mercado San Miguel was one of Madrid’s most popular attractions, Plaza Mayor. Asides from tourists this place is also home to demonstrations and rallies. Thankfully that day all we saw were tourists and these men doing a seemingly unbelievable feat.

The Plaza Mayor has been the scene of multitudinous events: markets, bullfights, soccer games, public executions, and, during the Spanish Inquisition, “autos de fe” against supposed heretics and the executions of those condemned to death. The Plaza Mayor also has a ring of old and traditional shops and cafes under its porticoes. Celebrations for San Isidro, patron saint of Madrid, are also held here. The Plaza Mayor is now a major tourist attraction, visited by thousands of tourists a year.
Source: Wikipedia

These are residential buildings with balconies that surrounded the plaza.

I don’t look like a tourist do I?

How did they do that? I can’t decide who has the harder job – the guy holding the pole with the weight of a man in the palm of his hand or the bearded man balancing on one hand and keeping still the whole time.

I was looking for an invisible platform he could be sitting on.

Even the dog couldn’t help looking.

Around Plaza Mayor are numerous shop and lots of shopping with most of Spain’s famous brands like Zara, Massimo Dutti and many others. We went in the French based La Cure Gourmand.

I don’t know how I managed to leave this sweets wonderland without buying anything. I guess it was indecision and confusion on what to buy.

This is what the interior of Museo del Jamon looked like.

I saw this same scene on a tv show. People would order a plate of ham and just eat in while standing at the counter.