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The capital of Spain is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. With its intense cultural activities and artistic vitality |
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Each epoch - a dominion of the Romans, Visigoths, Arabs, Catholic kings - left an imprint in Segovia: Romanesque and Gothic churches, fortress walls, the unique historic centre |
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The Almudena Cathedral is rather young for Europe: it was completed only in 1930-s. The church attracts visitors with its modern-Gothic interior |
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Atocha is the major by size and by significance railway station in Madrid. There is a memorial of the victims of a terrorist attack of 2004 |
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The Buen Retiro Park (“Park of the Pleasant Retreat”) is a 1.4 km2 green area in the centre of Madrid. Its ponds and alleys are worth seeing |
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Want to see the city from Puerta del Sol to its outskirts? Than just go down Calle de Alcalá – the longest street in Madrid (about 6.2 miles long) |
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Calle Mayor (”The Main Street”) is the centre of Madrid’s social and commercial life. It starts at Puerta del Sol and finishes at Cuesta de la Vega |
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Casa Botin, established in 1725, is the oldest restaurant in the world. It’s best dishes are a roast lamb (cordero) and a suckling pig (cochinillo) |
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The Casa de la Villa, a beautiful building in the historic centre of Madrid constructed in 1645- 1696, was used as a Town Hall until 2007 |
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San Lorenzo de El Escorial, 49 Km from Madrid by road, is one of the former royal residences which was built in there by King Felipe II |
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If your visit to Madrid includes a Sunday or other holiday, then don’t miss a chance to visit El Rastro de Madrid – the most popular local flea market |
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Madrid’s architecture has never been among European trends. It just reflected preferences of the most powerful royal families: Hapsburgs, Bourbons etc |
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Madrid, unlike the majority of European cities, has lots of bars, clubs and discos and a very busy night life: its rhythm slows down only at 4-6 am. |
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The Mercado de San Miguel opened in 1916. Little has changed: the best of the best delicacies still can be bought here from 10:00 to 22:00 every day |
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Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía |
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Paella in Spain is the same thing as pizza in Italy. The best Madrid’s restaurants to taste paella are “La Barraca” and “La paella de la reina”. |
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The Palacio de Cristal, a 22 meter-high glass greenhouse, was constructed in 1887. It is supported only by a brick base and a metal framework |
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The Baroque Palacio Real de Madrid, alternatively called the "Palacio de Oriente" (The Orient Palace), is the official royal family residence |
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The Paseo del Prado is full of landmarks: Golden Triangle of Art, Madrid's stock exchange Bolsa de Madrid and the National congress building. |
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The Plaza de Oriente, located on the east of the Royal Palace, houses monuments of twenty Spain's monarchs and the equestrian statue of Philip IV |
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The Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas is the most famous bullfighting arena in Spain. Bulls and men fight there every day 10 months a year (Mar to Dec). |
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The Plaza Mayor had undergone 3 reconstructions in 1631, 1672 and 1790 before it got the present gorgeous look designed by Juan de Villanueva |
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Puerta del Sol is Madrid’s central square. There you can find the zero km point and “El Oso y El Madroño” statue – the symbol of the city |
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The Royal Armoury, a part of the Royal Palace of Madrid, houses an enormous collection of weapons and armor suits of kings and the royal family. |
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Construction of the tower of the San Nicolás de los Servitas Church dates back to XII century. It’s one of the most ancient buildings in Madrid |
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Segovia is famous not only for a fantastic number of Romanesque churches, but also for the Alcázar Castle, depicted on the Walt Disney logo |
Madrid • 2014-12-18
