MUSEYON BOOKS Smart City Guides for Travel, History, Art and Film Lovers
The Second of May, 1808: The Charge of the Mamelukes, by Francisco de Goya (1814)
Madrid loves to party. And if you are in the city for the beginning of May, you are in for a special treat. On May 1st Madrid shuts down for the national Labour Day holiday but on May 2nd Madrid continues to stay closed for the citywide holiday of Dos de Mayo. Dos de Mayo celebrates the day in 1808 when the citizens of Madrid rebelled against the occupying French troops, an act which eventually led to the Spanish War of Independence.
While celebrations have died down in the city since the police action of 2004 in the Malasaa district, there is still much to see and do such as fireworks and bullfighting. In the past, Dos de Mayo has always included displays of military feats in the Plaza de Oriente in honor of the troops from 1808 but for the past couple of years, those have been suspended. Check with your hotel before you head out.
Here are some highlights:
May 1st
Fireworks light-up the sky at the Jardines de las Vistillas in the evening.
May 2nd
12:00pm Bustarviejo hosts a Medieval Parade
1:00pm San Lorenzo de El Escorial – Plaza de la Constitution, Carros de Foc
Salvador, the giant puppet- for the kids.
5:30pm Plaza de Toros de las Ventas holds a traditional bullfight.
19:30 Palacio de los Deportes
Concierto de Fangoria (rock concert)
20.30h – The Forbidden
21.00h – The Cabriolets
21.45h – Nancys Rubias
22.30h – Fangoria
*Remember! Always watch your bag and take care not to keep your wallet or other valuables in a backpack. Madrid is a beautiful city full of art, music and culture but there are pickpockets, especially in crowded places.
Read more about Madrid and view it through the eyes of its most famous artist, Goya, in Art + Travel.
