Cities in Spain: Madrid

Madrid (Madrid) – the capital and the largest city of Spain, the largest economic, political and cultural center of the country, which has the status of the autonomous community. The city lies in the center of the Pyrenean Peninsula, at the foot of the Sierra de Guadarram Mountain, at an altitude of 646 meters above sea level.

According to legends, Madrid was founded by an antique hero of the Bianor, the son of Tiberina and the propheted manot. It is also known that in the period of the Roman Empire on the banks of the River Matric, the influx of Mansanares, has already existed a major settlement. However, it is more likely that the city appeared during the reign of Emir Mohammed I (856-886.) who ordered to build the Made Fortress, or Mayrit, on the left bank of the River Manzanares (the Palace-Real Palace now rises at this place). For a long time, the fortress was a fierce struggle between Christian and Moorish rulers, which was clearly reflected in the unique appearance of the capital. In 1561, King Philip II makes an intensely growing city with the capital of his kingdom, and another series of walls is added to the old fortress. Interestingly, by the XVII century, the city already has already four serfs, and the best masters of their time worked on its architectural appearance. At the end of the XIX – early XX century, Madrid was actively rebuilt and expanded, and after the civil war, a modern appearance was acquired, characterized by an abundance of old buildings in close proximity to the wide streets and multiple modern buildings.

Attractions and Madrid Museums

Madrid is one of the most beautiful capitals of the world and the owner of a colossal historical heritage. By tradition, the center of Madrid and the whole of Spain is the area Plaza del Sol with three statues and old House mail (1768 G.), with a crowd with four dials, for the bell ringing of which the inhabitants of Madrid and celebrate the new year’s offensive. Square decorated with symbols of the city – Bear and strawberry tree.

• Panorama Madrid
• Royal Palace in Madrid
• Picturesque Street Barcelona in Madrid

The Habsburg area is highlighted by narrow and chaotic intersecting streets and a large number of houses and areas of the XVII century period. Framed by colonnades central square Plaza Major served in the Middle Ages as a marketplace, locations of the corrida and burning on the fire. Now the most remarkable buildings on it are Buided house, The facade of which is decorated with frescoes, and Myasnik’s house, Where are the municipal services currently located. In the center of the square rises equestrian Statue of Philip III. From the east side of Plaza Major is area Plaza de la province, Where is located Santa Cruz Palace, in which the Spanish Foreign Ministry is now located. Nearby lies picturesque Villa’s Square With a beautiful municipality building (1640 g.), in which the consideration of the consideration and was La Villa prison.

• Espanyol Theater in Madrid
• Almuden Palace in Madrid
• Monument at the facade of the Academy of Arts, Madrid

Dozens of monasteries and palaces are scattered along the nearby medieval streets – Basilica San Miguel Baroque style (XVIII in.), Palace Casa de Sisneros (XVI B.), Palace and Tower of Luhanes (XV B.) in the Moorish style, Monastery Carboneras (1607 g.) and Church of San Pedro El Viejo (XV B.) with a tower in the style of Mudjar (XIV in.), constructed over the minaret of the Mosque. On Square Paho located Chapel of Bishop – The only temple in the Madrid in the Gothic style, the altar and the silver plated doors of which have a big artistic value. Nearby is located Square Los Carrow with San Isidro Chapel Baroque style and San Andres Square, where the baroque church is located.

On the square of Marina Espanyol are located Palace Senate (End of XVI in.), Palace Grimaldi (1776 G.) and Monastery Reparadoras (1782 G.), and not far, on Descalsas Reales Square, you can detect El Monastherio de Las Descalsas Reales (literally – monastery of royal barefoot nuns, 1557 g., Now there is a reliquary here) with an excellent collection of works of art. Also widely known historical complexes such as the ancient Egyptian Temple of Debod (II B. to N. NS., In 1968. was disassembled and restored in Madrid on the site of old Army barracks near Campo del Moro), the world’s largest Arena for Corrida – Plaza de Torres-de Las Ventas Area (Tribunes are able to accommodate 25 thousand people), the chain of famous shopping streets Gloret de Bilbao (Fuencarral, Carranza, Luchana and Sagasta), Complex Amazing "Falling towers" Puerta de Euroop (115 meters high), Staterome telecommunications tower Faro de Monkloa From the observation platform on its top, as well as the most notable landmark of the city – Telebashnya Torre Espanya, or Torrespana (231 m).

• Puerta de Alcala Gate in Madrid
• Sculpture in Madrid

• Almuden Cathedral in Madrid
• Kio Gemini Towers in Madrid

Old gate Puerta de Toledo (Toledo Gate, one of the two preserved fragments of medieval urban walls) are located in one of the ancient quarters of Madrid – La La Latina. This area should be visited to see Saint Francis Basil With an interesting collection of pictures of famous artists, Crescot de la Venerabell chapel, small Park Vislias, From where the beautiful panorama of the western part of the city opens Country manor on the horizon, viaduct over Segovia Street and Palace of the Dukes of the Asdian (1611 G.) in which the main capital and public council are now posted.

Nearby located Royal (East) Palace – Wonderful pattern of the Palace Architecture of the XVIII century, surrounded by a park with Sabatini gardens and the Moorish field. Here, in the apartments of the Kings of Spain of the middle of the XVIII century, furniture, finishing elements, carpets, sculpture and other works of art. Nearby is Cathedral Almudena (construction was conducted from XVI to XX centuries.), and in the complex of the palace itself – Royal Arsenal, Royal pharmacy and Museum of Kareet.

Nearby is one of the largest art galleries in the world – Prado (Museo del Prado, a huge collection of Spanish, Flemish and Italian art of the XV-XVII centuries.). Here it shouted through the River Manzanares Bridge Segovia – the oldest of the city’s bridges (end of XVI in.) from which you can observe a beautiful panorama of the royal palace and the surrounding gardens.

On the square of Spain, two buildings of the middle of the XX century stand out – Casa Espanya and Torre Madrid, as well as a monument of national significance – San Marcos Church (1753 g.) Baroque style. Nearby located Serralbo Museum in the XIX century drowning in the greenery, which has an interesting artistic assembly, as well as Palace Liria, The residence of the Duchess Alba and the house of the Alba House Foundation with the collection of works of great masters. Behind the Palace there is a baroque Condu-Duke Kondo, built in 1720 g., In which the municipal services are now located, as well as exhibition halls and the municipal library. Summer in the courtyard concerts and evening performances are arranged.

• Retiro Park in Madrid
• Palace of Communication in Madrid
• Branch of the Prado Museum opposite Retiro Park in Madrid
• Plaza Major in Madrid

Fountain of the goddess Siblez (Kibel, 1777-1782.), one of the symbols of the Spanish capital, is located on the Square of the same name and is surrounded by the most famous monuments of Madrid. Here are Palace of Communication (Correos Y Telegrafos, this amazing building was built in 1905.), Bank of Spain, General base, Palace Linares (Casa de America), Maritime Museum, in which interesting documents and models of the ships of the Spanish fleet are stored, the fountain "Neptune" (Interestingly, until the middle of the XIX century he "looked" In the face of Cybele, until the decision of the mayor’s office was not turned in the other direction) and the old monumental gates in the city wall – Puerta de Alcala (1778 g.) on Independence Square. Nearby are located Museum of decorative arts, Museum of Army and Royal Academy of Language.

Financial region Madrida It stretches between Raimundo Fernandez Villaverde, Orense, General Peron and Paseo de la Castellana. The initial concept of the area, approved in 1946, implied the creation of a huge complex of modern office buildings connected by subway lines and railways with rapidly expanding northern regions of the city. As a result, now you can see the famous Madrid Stadium Santiago Bernabeu, New Government Complex Nuevos Ministerios, still under construction Cuatro Torres Business Area, as well as the highest skyscrapers of the country – Torre Espacio (1946.), Torre de Crystal, Torre Sakir Wordeermoso and Torre Caha-Madrid (2008-2009.). Also impressive "Tower" Business complex AZCA – Torre Picasso (157 m), Torre Euroopa (121 m) and BBVA (107 m).

The number of museums and galleries of the capital of Spain is huge – except the already mentioned Museum of Prado deserve attention National Archaeological Museum of Spain, Museum of the National Art Center of Queen Sofia, famous Museum of Tissren-Borneisis, Museum of America, Royal Academy of Fine Arts San Fernando, Anthropology and Medicine Museum, Museum of Spanish Pharmacy and other wonderful collections, as well as more than twenty art galleries.

• Before the royal palace in Madrid
• Puerta del Sol Square in Madrid
• Apollo Fountain in Madrid
• Carrera Prospect in Madrid

In addition, in the city you can find a lot of excellent architectural samples of various artistic styles of the XIX and XX in., as well as a large number of parks and gardens. Especially good Retiro Park, Built in the XVII century as a recreation area for royal specimen. The park covers an area of ​​150 hectares, on which more than 15 thousand trees grow, there is a lake, a lot of diverse gardens are broken and many monuments are erected, among which allocated Palace Velasquez and Glass Palace – Huge greenhouse from glass and steel. The tragic element of this beautiful fleet is Monument Bosque de Los Ausentes, erected in memory of the victims of the Madrid terrorist attack on March 11, 2004.

Botanical Garden Real Hardin-Botaniko Created in the XVIII century by decree of King Carlos III and is famous for its lattices, carved doors and ancient greenhouse in the style of neoclassicism. Country Manor Casa de Campo Discussed on the area of ​​1722 hectares on the right bank of the River Manzanares. Here are a zoo and amusement park, there is a rowing canal, pools, tennis courts and other sports facilities. Ecological-thematic Faunia Park is one extensive natural science museum with its own zoo focused on entertainment and children education. Here, eight ecosystems are presented – from tropical rain forests to the polar deserts – and contains more than 1,500 animals, many of which live in extensive enclosures that do not limit the freedom of movement.

Entertainment in Madrid

For lovers of nightlife Madrid – Paradise at any time of the year. Around Santa Barbara Square, on the squares of Gluriet de Bilbao and Alonso-Martinez, around Castellana quarters, Los Auistias and La La La Latina concentrated a large number of popular cafes, snack bars, bars and bistro. In the areas of Wartas, Condo Duka and Malasania, between the squares of Bilbao and San Bernardo, around El Rastro and Lavalles, on the square of Santa Ana and on the streets around the area named May 2, numerous cafes and bars with music programs and inexpensive restaurants are concentrated. In the quarters of Argueles and Monkloa, low-cost bars are mainly popular with students and young people, and the Chueca district is considered to be a label of liberals and non-traditional sexual orientation.

Castelian Boulevards, Remotone and Prado, Salamancas and Retiro areas, Sol and Grand Prix – a place of concentration of expensive restaurants, trendy cafes and bars.

The highlight of the city is the famous El-Rastro flea market – the most popular outdoor market in the city.

Neighborhood Madrida

In the vicinity of Madrid are important historical and cultural centers of Spain. San Lorenzo del Escorial, Located in the mountains of Sierra de Guadarram, 50 km from Madrid, is famous for the magnificent Palace-monastery of Sarsweal, the residence of the Spanish kings. The church, the monastery and the palace are connected by many courtyards, transitions and halls, forming a disadvantaged coloring structure. Along the side walls of the Basilica there are 43 altars with painting, and she herself is covered with a dome height of 92 meters with painted vaults. There are also a library with more than 40 thousand. Tomov and Manuscripts, Museum of Painting and Museum of Architecture. Outside the palace I wonder to visit small palaces – Prince’s house and infanta house.

Cervantes Motherland – Vintage City Alcala de Enares (33 km from Madrid) famous for its university, founded in 1498. The building of the University on San Diego Square has a magnificent facade in the style of the planssic and inner courtyards (the most famous of which is "Courtyard of three languages"), picturesque covered galleries, gardens and old assembly hall. There are also many wonderful religious objects in the city – Church of Makhistral (XII in.), Bernardine Monastery, Jesuit Church, Philippians Monastery and the Archbishop Palace. And on the street La-Ichman, there is a house where Servantes was born, – now it is renovated and furnished with furniture and objects corresponding to the epoch, turning into a museum.

Town Aranhues, Lying on the banks of the river Tahoe 47 km from Madrid, is famous for its luxurious summer royal residence (XV-XVII in.) and magnificent parks – a partner with numerous sculptures, La Isla with wonderful fountains and prison in English style. Faluas Museum with a collection of boats and two small silver rails, which have been preserved in memory of the opening of the second railway line in Spain in 1851. Lying in the depths of the garden prisone the house of the peasant (Casita del Labrador – a hunting pavilion in the neoclassical style) is famous for the fact that it was here that in 1805 the Spanish-French Agreement on War against Great Britain.

Town Chinchon (45 km from Madrid) became famous due to its beautiful Square Real-Plaza de Toros. In the vicinity of Chinchonas are interested in Casasol castles (XIV in.), closed for visits to the monastery of Clariss and the former monastery of the monks-Augustine, as well as the castle of the XV century near the resort town of Mansanares-ale Real.