The Beautiful Capital Of Spain
About Madrid
Madrid is the beautiful capital of Spain, a city located in the centre of the peninsula and on a picturesque plain that stands 646 meters above the level of the sea. The three million inhabitants live in a cosmopolitan city which hosts the most important business centre of the country, the Spanish Government and the Spanish Parliament, the Public Administration and the Palace where the Spanish Royal Family lives.
Madrid also plays the role of an important industrial centre; if you visit the southern part of the city, you will find an impressive number of metal, food and even textile factories that support a big part of the city's economy. However, this does not mean that Madrid is not a wonderful cultural centre and a city with a rich artistic life; the nightlife is also one of the best in the country so it would be a good idea to choose it as a destination for one of your holidays.
Some history of the city
Madrid is one of those Spanish cities that have their origins strongly linked to the Arabs. It was Mohamed I the Emir who ordered a fortress to be built on one of the banks of the famous Manzanares River. When the 11th century arrived, the fortress started to represent an interest point for both the Christians and the Arabs, so they started the fight for it; the Christians, with Alonso VI leading them, conquered the city from the Arabs. The 17th century is the one when the surrounding walls of the city were built while the 18th century enriched it with its main arteries.
The famous and popular Gran Via, probably one of the most famous city avenues in Spain, was built in the 19th century. Modern buildings started to appear in the 1950s, but the old Neoclassical and Baroque monuments dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries still survive and represent important points on the sightseeing list. If you decide to visit Madrid, make sure that the Plaza Mayor and the spectacular Palacio Real are on your itinerary.
Other places to visit
It is a pity to be in Spain and visit just one place; since you are in Madrid, you should sacrifice one of your days and visit Barcelona, the capital of Catalua and the city that hosts the outstanding works of the famous Antoni Gaudi.
Madrid is the beautiful capital of Spain, a city located in the centre of the peninsula and on a picturesque plain that stands 646 meters above the level of the sea. The three million inhabitants live in a cosmopolitan city which hosts the most important business centre of the country, the Spanish Government and the Spanish Parliament, the Public Administration and the Palace where the Spanish Royal Family lives.
Madrid also plays the role of an important industrial centre; if you visit the southern part of the city, you will find an impressive number of metal, food and even textile factories that support a big part of the city's economy. However, this does not mean that Madrid is not a wonderful cultural centre and a city with a rich artistic life; the nightlife is also one of the best in the country so it would be a good idea to choose it as a destination for one of your holidays.
Some history of the city
Madrid is one of those Spanish cities that have their origins strongly linked to the Arabs. It was Mohamed I the Emir who ordered a fortress to be built on one of the banks of the famous Manzanares River. When the 11th century arrived, the fortress started to represent an interest point for both the Christians and the Arabs, so they started the fight for it; the Christians, with Alonso VI leading them, conquered the city from the Arabs. The 17th century is the one when the surrounding walls of the city were built while the 18th century enriched it with its main arteries.
The famous and popular Gran Via, probably one of the most famous city avenues in Spain, was built in the 19th century. Modern buildings started to appear in the 1950s, but the old Neoclassical and Baroque monuments dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries still survive and represent important points on the sightseeing list. If you decide to visit Madrid, make sure that the Plaza Mayor and the spectacular Palacio Real are on your itinerary.
Other places to visit
It is a pity to be in Spain and visit just one place; since you are in Madrid, you should sacrifice one of your days and visit Barcelona, the capital of Catalua and the city that hosts the outstanding works of the famous Antoni Gaudi.
