A unique opportunity for anyone who will be in Madrid on Nov. 30th or Dec. 1st - 5th (Friday-Wednesday).
The CONGRESO DE LOS DIPUTADOS (Congress) and Senado (Senate) will open their doors to the general public as they do every year for 3 days each at the end of Nov./beginning of Dec. in celebration of the "Semana de la Constituci�n" ("Constitution Week").
The "Jornadas de Puertas Abiertas" (more or less "Open Door Sessions") are a great way to see the inside of the Congress & Senate which are normally only visible on TV or by appointment (and even then it is a limitted visit).
Congress visiting hours will be Fri. & Sat. from 9am to 7pm and Sunday from 9am to 2pm.
The Senate will be open from 9am to 7pm on Dec. 3rd, 4th and 5th (Mon, Tues., Wed,).
The best thing is that PHOTOS ARE ALLOWED (Congress only).
Hola agian, jer back for the Congress visit update.
It is early Friday Evening and I just got back from the CONGRESO DE LOS DIPUTADOS open door session mentioned above.
Wow! I had no idea what I was missing all these years that I did not get arounfd to going.
It was VERY cool. After a security check (metal detectors and all that jazz) in a VERY well heated tent set up outside, we (the visitors) were given "caf�" or "chocolate" and then we entered the Congress through the MAIN DOORS where we were greeted by a guide who explained the room we were in. From there, each room had a brief (but not at all boring) explanation from an employee of the Congress. I went nutso as usualt taking photos and videos of everything which I will soon put up as a second page at my CONGRESO DE LOS DIPUTADOS PHOTO PAGES (can't wait can ya ?).
When we got to the main Congressional Chamber it was smaller than it had always seemed on TV and in photos, etc... but it was very impressive. A weird feeling came over me and I felt like I was living a piece of history. I spent like a half hour in that room alone.
I then moved on to the Hall of Portraits and the offices of the Cogressmen and then into the International Room. That was not as impressive as the main chamber but it was interesting to see all the technology for the simultaneous interpretation that needs to go on at international meetings.
The last stop was in the MODERN WING OF THE CONGRESS which was... well.. modern . They even had computers set up for people to check out the official Congress (www.congreso.es) and Senate (www.senado.es) websites and leave suggestions which I did (top secret).
Then, as if the visit was not cool enough, they gave every visitor a SUPER "GUAY" ("COOL") SOUVENIR PACK complete with folder, pamphlet, a copy of the Spanish Constitution of 1978 and yes, that is a "Congreso de los Diputados Mousepad in the picture (not for sale at any price!
Saludos, jer...
p.d. remember, if you miss this 3 day event, you can still visit the Congress without an apointment every Saturday between the hours of 10:30am and 12:30pm. Only 2 hours though and a limited visit, no where near as cool as the yearly "Jornada de Puertas Abiertas".
Hi all, seems I am the only one interested in this political stuff
Anyway, just got back from my Senate visit and it was nice although I could not take photos, booooooo! Weird, each ogf the two bodies (Congress and Senate) have their own protocall on this typ of thing and while the Congress allows photos during the open door sessions, the Senate does not.
I brought my camera and tried anyway but read the riot act by one of the guides inside and she nipped my photography session in the bud Apparenyly you have to be "Televisi�n Espa�ola" to shoot inside that place.
The only photo I was able to sneak was this one (CLICK HERE FOR THE PIC) of my friend Daniel as he posed at the podium, pretty pathetic I know but there are some things even the multimadrid webweavwer can't do
So, while the visit was not as interesting as the Congress visit described above, it is still worth the trip through. If you have limited time however and can onle see one, go for the Congress visit.
Another opportunity to see the inside of the Congress here in Madrid as you never have before.
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the general elections of 1977, the congress will open its doors to visitors (no reservation needed, open to the general public) on June 15 & 16 (Sat. & Sun.)
Visitong hours will be: Sat. 9am-5pm. Sun. 9am.2pm.
Hey Chica, not at all a political dog I am afraid.
I did major in Political Science (as well as Spanish ) in college and that is precisely why I despise politics
Starting this thread really only served one function, letting everyone know about the open door days at the Congress that go on during the year in case anyone is interested in seeing the iside.
(Congress only).
- rent or buy a cell phone from me for your stay in spain, more info at 
- already have a cell phone, get a spanish SIM card for it at 
. They even had computers set up for people to check out the official Congress (
