Winter 1998

In mid August this year, our Chairman was the history guide for 25 sixth formers and their teachers from Fulford School, York, England, on an eight day tour of central Spain. Although the theme was Wellington in Spain, they also visited Toledo, Roman Merida, Hapsburg Madrid, the Modern Arts Museum, the Prado and the castle of Oropesa. The Society gave indepth guided tours to the battlefields of Talavera and Salamanca, introducing the pupils to the mayors and local historians. Likewise they visited the two great sieges of the Peninsular War, namely Badajoz and Ciudad Rodrigo.

CHINCON

The society works closely with Suffolk University, Boston, Madrid Campus and on 21 November our chairman was guide to their students on a day excursion to the delightful medieval Castillian town of Chinchon, just a 45 minute ride from the capital. Chinchon lends its name to the world famous Chinchon anis which comes in three different forms....our Chairman has a weakness for the dulce, or sweet one! The town is also famous for its ancient taverns cum restaurants which serve up the most delicious roast lamb & suckling pig from the clay ovens. The local wine is still kept in massive jars down in the Arabic caves. Without doubt the Plaza Mayor is one of the most authentic Castillian squares remaining. Should private parties wish to enjoy this true side of Spain then e-mail sdrake_jones@hotmail.com for reservations.

WHAT'S ON IN MADRID

Prado Museum until 10 Jan 1999: PHILIP II - A MONARCH AND HIS TIME....A Renaissance Prince. The exhibition illustrates two fundamental aspects of Renaissance Art: the importance of Philip's artistic patronage, the most extensive of its kind in 16th century Europe; and the value that these artistic images acquired in the court. This delightful exhibition is divided into seven sections with works by Titian, Bosch, Arcimoldo, Van der Weyden and others. To really appreciate the splendid objects of art you really need a couple of hours. Each room has an information board in both Spanish and English.

The second exhibition on at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Paseo del Prado 8,until 17 January, 1999, is Sorrolla and The Hispanic Society, New York. This great early 20th century Spanish artist was commissioned by the Society to travel throughout Spain to capture the true folklore in 1912. The result is a magnificent collection of paintings of regional people in their traditional costumes.

An excellent exhibition is now running until January 10th in the Sala de las Alhajas, Plaza San Martin (between Puerta del Sol and Plaza Isabel II), entrance free titled VANGUARDIAS ESPANOLAS. On display in this delightful building are 65 paintings from Spain's artists dating from 1915 to the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936. Besides some of Salvador Dali's more famous works on loan from the Modern Arts Museum in the capital and the Gala-Dali Figueres Museum, this exhibition has on display Timoteo Pirez Rubio's Portrait of Rosa Chacel (1925) - voted number one by our last group visit!, and Diego Rivera's Portrait of the great writer of his day, Ramsn Gomez de la Serna (private collection, New York). This exhibition is on three three floors, neatly displayed. Entrance free, closed Monday.

Another art exhibition can be seen at the Conde Duque Palace in the Calle Conde Duque (metro San Barnardo), titled IDENTITY OF COLOR 1937 1983 by the famous Cuban artist, Mariano Rodriquez (1912 - 1990) following his development through some of the 20th century's most turbulent times. To complement his works and to understand the political and military situation, a video of interviews with him and historical documentation is played in one of the rooms. Entrance free, closed Monday.

For the first time in Spain there is an exhibition of the Roberto Longhi collection, including the works of Caravaggio, Saraceni and Strozzi. This famous Italian exhibition is being sponsored by the Caixa bank foundation and is on show in Calle Serrano 60, Madrid until the 7th January. Entrance free; nearest metro Serrano.

DID YOU KNOW?

The province of Madrid has some excellent fullbodied red wines for a modest 500 pesetas. Try the Puerta de Alcala and the Puerta del Sol.

Don Leon, owner of the delightful Peruvian restaurant, El Inti de Oro, Calle Ventura de la Vega, 12 (tel:914296703), welcomes all Wellington Society honorary members with a glass of pisco sour!

Restaurant Casa Ciriaco, Calle Mayor 84, (tel: 915480620), which offers the very best "Home Cooking", was the site where newly weds King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria were almost killed by a bomb thrown from the fifth floor of the same building, on 31 May, 1906. If you doubt it ask to see the photos in the rear room!