Madrid city

• Spain

The capital of Spain is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. With its intense cultural activities and artistic vitality

The capital of Spain since 1562 is located on the geographic center of the Iberian Peninsula. A cosmopolitan city, a business center, headquarters for the Public Administration, Government, Spanish Parliament and the home of the Spanish Royal Family, Madrid also plays a major role in industrial sectors. Madrid is characterized by intense cultural and artistic activity and a very lively nightlife.
Madrid can match the architecture in Rome, Paris or London. Tourists found in the city ranges from a medieval to a modern style. One can experience the feeling of stepping into interiors with gothic, baroque, or neoclassic styles. The historic old town, also known as "Madrid de las Austrias is a living example of the city's 16th and 17th century with its impressive Plaza Mayor, which was opened in 1620 and remains one of Spain's most popular and typical spots. Near to the Plaza Mayor is the so-called "aristocratic centre" of Madrid, home to the distinguished Royal Palace, that combines Baroque and Classical styles. Next to the palace you can find the Plaza de Oriente, the Opera House and the modern Almudena Cathedral. This ensemble of monuments is completed by the Puerta del Sol, a square flanked by select shops, and the "Paseo del Arte", so called for its unique museums, palaces and gardens, including Bank of Spain building, the Palacio de las Telecomunicaciones and the Cibeles and Neptuno fountains.
Madrid is known for its massive and striking selection of art complexes, museums and historical collections. The exhibitions held in this city of art could be shown either outdoors or inside picturesque buildings. Madrid's Avenue of Art consists of the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen museums. The Prado is one of the most important art museums in Europe and amongst the best in the world. The Villanueva building houses Spanish paintings from romantic to 19th century styles, as well as important works by Italian, Flemish, French, Dutch, German and English artists. Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia displays Spanish artists from the late 19th century till nowdays such as Pablo Picasso, Juan Gris, Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí, Antonio Saura and Eduardo Chillida.
Visitors can go for walks, go rowing or feed the squirrels in Madrid's large, impeccable parks and gardens. The Retiro Park, once playground of Spanish Monarchs, the Casa de Campo and the Juan Carlos I Park among others make Madrid one of Europe's greenest capitals.
During July and August the town-hall organizes a series of cultural events for what they call Veranos de la Villa, "Summer in the Village". The festival Verbena de la Paloma, from 6th to 15th of August, shows best the popular traditions of Madrid, with regional costumes and dances, the so-called Chotis.

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	Spain The country is the home of the prospering capital Madrid, the vibrant coastal city of Barcelona and the city where flamenco was born, Sevilla.
	Segovia 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
	Almudena Cathedral The Almudena Cathedral is rather young for Europe: it was completed only in 1930-s. The church attracts visitors with its modern-Gothic interior
	Atocha railway station 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
	Buen Retiro Park 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
	Calle de Alcalá 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)
	Calle Mayor 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
	Casa Botin, restaurant 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)
	Casa de la Villa 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
	El Escorial 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
	El Rastro de Madrid, Flea market 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
	Madrid, architectonics Madrid’s architecture has never been among European trends. It just reflected preferences of the most powerful royal families: Hapsburgs, Bourbons etc
	Madrid, Night life 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.
	Mercado de San Miguel 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
	Museo del Prado Museo-del-Prado posesses an internationally recognized collection of masterpieces by Spanish, Itallian, Flemish and other European artists.
	Museo Reina Sofía Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
	Paella 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”.
	Palacio de Cristal 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
	Palacio Real de Madrid The Baroque Palacio Real de Madrid, alternatively called the "Palacio de Oriente" (The Orient Palace), is the official royal family residence
	Paseo del Prado The Paseo del Prado is full of landmarks: Golden Triangle of Art, Madrid's stock exchange Bolsa de Madrid and the National congress building.
	Plaza de Oriente 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
	Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas 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).
	Plaza Mayor The Plaza Mayor had undergone 3 reconstructions in 1631, 1672 and 1790 before it got the present gorgeous look designed by Juan de Villanueva
	Puerta del Sol 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
	Royal Armoury 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.
	Royal Pharmacy
	Sabatini Gardens
	San Nicolas de los Servitas Church 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
	Segovia, architectonics Segovia is famous not only for a fantastic number of Romanesque churches, but also for the Alcázar Castle, depicted on the Walt Disney logo