Madrid, the capital of Spain, is a cosmopolitan city that
combines the most
modern infrastructures and the status as an economic,
financial, administrative and service centre, with a large cultural and
artistic heritage, a legacy of centuries of exciting history.
Madrid is strategically located at the geographical centre of the Iberian peninsula, 646 meters above sea level. Its old
town is exemplary among major European cities, and blends harmoniously with the
most modern and convenient of urban infrastructure. Madrid offers a broad range of accommodation
and services along with the most advanced audiovisual and communication
technology. All this, combined with the momentum of a society that is dynamic
and open, and at the same time warm and welcoming, has turned this metropolis
into one of the western world's great capitals.
The Madrid area has been
settled since the Lower Paleolithic age, but it was not until 1561 that King
Philip II made it the capital of his mighty empire. The historic old town, also
known as "Madrid de los Austrias" (referring to the Hapsburg empire)
is a living example of the city's 16th and 17th century heyday, as is its
impressive Plaza Mayor (square), 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 stunning Royal Palace, a 17th century monument that combines Baroque and
Classical styles. Next to the palace you can find the Plaza de Oriente
(square), the Opera House and the modern Almudena Cathedral, consecrated in
1993 by Pope John Paul II. 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, not
forgetting the unmistakable Bank of Spain building, the Palacio de las
Telecomunicaciones (currently home to the Spanish Post Office) and the Cibeles
and Neptuno fountains.
Art and
culture are central to Madrid
life. The city has 73 museums that cover all fields of human knowledge. Of
these, the most important are the Prado Museum, one of the world's greatest art
galleries, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum with more than 800 paintings,
sculptures and tapestries that go from the earliest Dutch masters to the most
avant-garde trends, and the Reina Sofía National Art Centre, which is dedicated
to Spanish contemporary art, with works by Picasso, Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí
and Juan Gris among others.
Visitors
and residents alike can enjoy the sun, 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. Madrid is also one of Europe's most attractive business centres. Its
international airport receives more than one thousand flights weekly from all
over the world and it has two main conference centres, as well as the modern
Campo de las Naciones exhibition centre and a capacity to hold more than 80,000
people in other varied conference and meeting facilities.
If there is
one thing, however, that characterizes Madrid,
it is the deep, contagious passion for life reflected in its friendly,
welcoming people. Madrid
boasts concerts, exhibitions, ballets, select theatre productions, and the
latest cinematographic releases. You can sample a wide variety of the finest
Spanish and international cuisine or be enchanted by its bars and taverns.
These are just some of Madrid's
leisure alternatives, alongside tempting shopping in the most traditional
establishments and world-famous outlets stocking the finest international
brands.
Madrid's happening nightlife is another
major attraction. Its pubs, bars, discos and flamenco clubs have a tremendous
atmosphere, while by day there are traditional verbenas (open-air dances),
popular festivals or the San Isidro bullfighting festival - rated as the
world's most important.
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