Madrid
Area
| |
• Land
|
607 km2 (234.4 sq mi)
|
• Metro
|
10,506 km2 (4,057 sq mi)
|
Elevation
|
667 m (2,188 ft)
|
Population (2010)
| |
• City
|
3,273,049
|
• Rank
|
1st
|
• Density
|
5,403/km2 (13,993.7/sq mi)
|
6,458,684
| |
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and itsmetropolitan area is the third largest in the European Union after London and Paris. The city spans a total of 604.3 km2 (233.3 sq mi).
Madrid urban agglomeration has the 3rd largest GDP in the European Union and its influences in politics, education, entertainment, environment,media, fashion, science, and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world's major global cities. Due to its economic output, highstandard of living, and market size, Madrid is considered the major financial centre of Southern Europe and the Iberian Peninsula; it hosts the head offices of the vast majority of the major Spanish companies. Madrid is the most touristic city of Spain, the fourth-most touristic of the continent, and is the 10th most livable city in the world according to Monocle magazine, in its 2010 index. Madrid also ranks among the 12 greenest European cities in 2010. Madrid is currently bidding to host the 2020 Summer Olympics.
The city is located on the Manzanares river in the centre of both the country and the Community of Madrid (which comprises the city of Madrid, its conurbation and extended suburbs and villages); this community is bordered by the autonomous communities of Castile and León and Castile-La Mancha. As the capital city of Spain, seat of government, and residence of the Spanish monarch, Madrid is also the political centre of Spain. The current mayor is Ana Botella from the People's Party (PP).
Royal Palace:
The Royal Palace is not the official residence of His Majesty the King of Spain, that is the Zarzuela Palace outside Madrid, though official banquets, state ceremonies and other important state events do take place here.
In Spanish it is sometimes incorrectly called "Palacio de Oriente"by confusion with the "Plaza de Oriente", the square which is on the East (Oriental) side of the palace.
The origin of the palace dates from the ninth century when the Muslim kingdom of Toledo built a defense that was later used by the kings of Castilla, which in the sixteenth century, they built the old Palace.
The Royal Palace, is built on the site of the old Alcázar which was destroyed by fire on Christmas Eve 1734. King Felipe V decided to build a palace for his Borbon dynasty. The Italian Filippo Juvara was selected to design the new palace and his plans were to create a grand palace along the lines of France’s Versailles. All construction was vaulted in stone and brick, not wood, so that any fire could destroy it.
The works were carried out between 1738 and 1755, Carlos III established his residence there in 1764.
The Royal Palace is not the official residence of His Majesty the King of Spain, that is the Zarzuela Palace outside Madrid, though official banquets, state ceremonies and other important state events do take place here.
In Spanish it is sometimes incorrectly called "Palacio de Oriente"by confusion with the "Plaza de Oriente", the square which is on the East (Oriental) side of the palace.
The origin of the palace dates from the ninth century when the Muslim kingdom of Toledo built a defense that was later used by the kings of Castilla, which in the sixteenth century, they built the old Palace.
The Royal Palace, is built on the site of the old Alcázar which was destroyed by fire on Christmas Eve 1734. King Felipe V decided to build a palace for his Borbon dynasty. The Italian Filippo Juvara was selected to design the new palace and his plans were to create a grand palace along the lines of France’s Versailles. All construction was vaulted in stone and brick, not wood, so that any fire could destroy it.
The works were carried out between 1738 and 1755, Carlos III established his residence there in 1764.
Prado Museum
The Prado Museum is renowned as being the largest art gallery in the world. It is now one of Spain's major tourist attractions. It also exhibits sculptures, drawings, coins and other works of arts, but it is undoubtedly its large collection of paintings which has given it fame worldwide. It houses more than 8,600 paintings, of which they exhibit less than 2,000 because of lack of space available. Many museums throughout the world have less artistic riches in their halls than the Prado Museum has in storage. The present day art gallery comes from the royal collections of the old Trinidad Museum, as well as acquisitions, donations and bequests.
Its history began during the reign of Charles III, when he tried to create a single art collection under one roof. But it was not until the reign of Fernando VII when the Royal Museum of Painting and Sculpture was created, on 19th November 1819. The kings death caused inheritance problems and endangered the unity of the collection, but with the disappearance of the monarchy in Spain the museum became national property and became known as the Prado National Museum.
Queen Sofía National Museum
On the 10th September 1990, the King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía inaugurated the Queen Sofía National Museum with a permanent collection which came to substitute the Spanish Museum of Contemporary Art. When it opened its doors, it stood as a modern, contemporary Spanish museum on an international scale. Nevertheless, its building has gone through many challenges in order to achieve this goal. To date, the artistic ground exhibited there has been constantly growing.
Perhaps it was the transferring of Picasso's "Guernica" to the Queen Sofía for its permanent collection, which was the decisive milestone in it now being considered one of the most important contemporary art museums in the world.
The Queen Sofía Museum program is based on a redefinition of the function of museums, on an alternative to the institution's historical models. Conceived to be a place that generates opportunities for sociability and discussion in the public sphere.
Santa Ana Square
On the 10th September 1990, the King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía inaugurated the Queen Sofía National Museum with a permanent collection which came to substitute the Spanish Museum of Contemporary Art. When it opened its doors, it stood as a modern, contemporary Spanish museum on an international scale. Nevertheless, its building has gone through many challenges in order to achieve this goal. To date, the artistic ground exhibited there has been constantly growing.
Perhaps it was the transferring of Picasso's "Guernica" to the Queen Sofía for its permanent collection, which was the decisive milestone in it now being considered one of the most important contemporary art museums in the world.
The Queen Sofía Museum program is based on a redefinition of the function of museums, on an alternative to the institution's historical models. Conceived to be a place that generates opportunities for sociability and discussion in the public sphere.
Santa Ana Square
The Santa Ana Square itself is located just a short walk from both the Plaza Mayor and the Puerta del Sol. It is also possible to walk to Madrid's main museums from here, making this area an ideal location to stay in the city.
The square was originally the site of the Convent of Santa Ana, founded in 1586 but demolished during the reign of José I Bonaparte (Napoleon's brother), in 1810. In its place, the Square was created around 1848.
Today, it is a wonderful place to just sit and watch the passers-by, to take a refreshing drink at one of the open-air terrace cafes or breweries. It is one of Madrid's most lively and vibrant areas, with hundreds of tapas bars, terrace cafes, pubs and restaurants:
The German Brewery, built in 1904, still serves beer in steins. Ernest Hemingway did drink here during his stays in Madrid, and the old place is still much as it was then.
The Villa Rosa, built in 1930, an elegant yet hopping flamenco club that retains a great Andalusian tile decoration and Moorish arches.
The square was originally the site of the Convent of Santa Ana, founded in 1586 but demolished during the reign of José I Bonaparte (Napoleon's brother), in 1810. In its place, the Square was created around 1848.
Today, it is a wonderful place to just sit and watch the passers-by, to take a refreshing drink at one of the open-air terrace cafes or breweries. It is one of Madrid's most lively and vibrant areas, with hundreds of tapas bars, terrace cafes, pubs and restaurants:
The German Brewery, built in 1904, still serves beer in steins. Ernest Hemingway did drink here during his stays in Madrid, and the old place is still much as it was then.
The Villa Rosa, built in 1930, an elegant yet hopping flamenco club that retains a great Andalusian tile decoration and Moorish arches.
Santa Cruz Palace
The Santa Cruz Palace or Palace of Holy Cross is a baroque building in the center of Madrid. It now houses the foreign ministry or "Asuntos Exteriores". It was used as a jail until the reign of Philip IV of Spain, when it was converted into a palace.
It was built between 1629 and 1643 by Juan Bautista Crescendi. The palace originally served as the royal prison. Many waited here for the verdict of the infamous Spanish Inquisition. For most of them the next step was execution at the Plaza Mayor. Later other architects like José de Villareal or Bartolomé Hurtado García added elements.
The palace, inspired by the classic Italian and Spanish architecture, is rectangular, has two symmetrical interior square yards, in addition to organizing space, allowing ventilation and natural light to enter, being separated by a central axis that makes both distributor and access to the building.
In 1767 it changed from jail to the Palacio de Santa Cruz, due to its proximity to the church of Santa Cruz. A fire in 1791, destroyed all but the facade.
The Santa Cruz Palace or Palace of Holy Cross is a baroque building in the center of Madrid. It now houses the foreign ministry or "Asuntos Exteriores". It was used as a jail until the reign of Philip IV of Spain, when it was converted into a palace.
It was built between 1629 and 1643 by Juan Bautista Crescendi. The palace originally served as the royal prison. Many waited here for the verdict of the infamous Spanish Inquisition. For most of them the next step was execution at the Plaza Mayor. Later other architects like José de Villareal or Bartolomé Hurtado García added elements.
The palace, inspired by the classic Italian and Spanish architecture, is rectangular, has two symmetrical interior square yards, in addition to organizing space, allowing ventilation and natural light to enter, being separated by a central axis that makes both distributor and access to the building.
In 1767 it changed from jail to the Palacio de Santa Cruz, due to its proximity to the church of Santa Cruz. A fire in 1791, destroyed all but the facade.
Victory Arch
The Victory Arch (popularly known as Moncloa Gate to have some similarity to the Alcalá Gate) is a triumphal arch built between the period since 1950 to 1956.
It's a commemorative work urban rebel army's victory in the race suffered during the Spanish Civil War in the Battle of Ciudad Universitaria. The Arch is located in one of Madrid's main entrances (on the road to "A Coruña"), in the center of the so-called Arco de la Victoria Avenue, in the district of Moncloa.
The Arc has an altitude of 40 meters. The Arc has some Latin inscriptions recalling the victory and the construction of the new University City after the armed conflict that destroyed it.
The Victory Arch (popularly known as Moncloa Gate to have some similarity to the Alcalá Gate) is a triumphal arch built between the period since 1950 to 1956.
It's a commemorative work urban rebel army's victory in the race suffered during the Spanish Civil War in the Battle of Ciudad Universitaria. The Arch is located in one of Madrid's main entrances (on the road to "A Coruña"), in the center of the so-called Arco de la Victoria Avenue, in the district of Moncloa.
The Arc has an altitude of 40 meters. The Arc has some Latin inscriptions recalling the victory and the construction of the new University City after the armed conflict that destroyed it.
Debod Temple
Debod Temple is an ancient Egyptian temple which wasrebuilt in Madrid, Spain.
The temple was built originally 15 Km south of Aswan (southern Egypt), very close to the first cataract of the Nile and to the great religious center dedicated to the goddess Isis, in Philae. In the early 2nd century BC, Adikhalamani (Tabriqo), the Kushite king of Meroë, started its construction by building a small single room chapel dedicated to the god Amun.
It was built and decorated on a similar design to the later Meroitic chapel on which the Temple of Dakka is based.
From the quay, a long processional way leads to the stone-built enclosure wall, through three stone pylon gateways and finally to the temple itself.
The pranaos, which had four columns with composite capitals collapsed in 1868, and is now lost. Behind it lay the original sanctuary of Amun, the offering table room and a later sanctuary with several side-rooms and stairs to the roof.
In 1960, due to the construction of the Great Dam of Aswan and the consequent threat posed to several monuments and archeological sites, UNESCO made an international call to save this rich historical legacy. As a sign of gratitude for the help provided by Spain in saving the temples of Abu Simbel, the Egyptian state donated the temple of Debod to Spain in 1968.
The temple was rebuilt in one of Spain's most beautiful parks, the West Park, near the Royal Palace andPlaza España Square, and opened to the public in 1972. Admission is free.
Debod Temple is an ancient Egyptian temple which wasrebuilt in Madrid, Spain.
The temple was built originally 15 Km south of Aswan (southern Egypt), very close to the first cataract of the Nile and to the great religious center dedicated to the goddess Isis, in Philae. In the early 2nd century BC, Adikhalamani (Tabriqo), the Kushite king of Meroë, started its construction by building a small single room chapel dedicated to the god Amun.
It was built and decorated on a similar design to the later Meroitic chapel on which the Temple of Dakka is based.
From the quay, a long processional way leads to the stone-built enclosure wall, through three stone pylon gateways and finally to the temple itself.
The pranaos, which had four columns with composite capitals collapsed in 1868, and is now lost. Behind it lay the original sanctuary of Amun, the offering table room and a later sanctuary with several side-rooms and stairs to the roof.
In 1960, due to the construction of the Great Dam of Aswan and the consequent threat posed to several monuments and archeological sites, UNESCO made an international call to save this rich historical legacy. As a sign of gratitude for the help provided by Spain in saving the temples of Abu Simbel, the Egyptian state donated the temple of Debod to Spain in 1968.
The temple was rebuilt in one of Spain's most beautiful parks, the West Park, near the Royal Palace andPlaza España Square, and opened to the public in 1972. Admission is free.
Linares Palace
The Linares Palace is situated on one corner of the Plaza de Cibeles Square, dates from the 19th Century and is well-known for its beautiful architecture and exquisite interior. It's one of Madrid's most emblematic palaces.
Built in 1873, the Linares Palace is a worthy member of the line-up of grand façades on the square. It's one of the finest examples of neo-baroque design in Spain, in style and French in inspiration. Its main façade is outstanding, spectacular, with three entrance doors crowned by balconies. The interior features a wealth of decoration by such prestigious artists as Jerónimo Suñol, creator of the stunning marble banister on the staircase in the hall. Other important areas of the building include the ballrooms, the Hall of Mirrors, the chapel, Dolls’ House and the garden.
In the palace’s grounds is the Casa de América (America House), a modern exhibition centre which, also hosts all sorts of cultural events throughout the year.
Headquarters to an organization responsible for improving relations between Spain and South America. It contains a newspaper and magazine library, a video library, several exhibition rooms, and an auditorium, as well as a restaurant, shop, museum, and bookshop.
Atocha StationBuilt in 1873, the Linares Palace is a worthy member of the line-up of grand façades on the square. It's one of the finest examples of neo-baroque design in Spain, in style and French in inspiration. Its main façade is outstanding, spectacular, with three entrance doors crowned by balconies. The interior features a wealth of decoration by such prestigious artists as Jerónimo Suñol, creator of the stunning marble banister on the staircase in the hall. Other important areas of the building include the ballrooms, the Hall of Mirrors, the chapel, Dolls’ House and the garden.
In the palace’s grounds is the Casa de América (America House), a modern exhibition centre which, also hosts all sorts of cultural events throughout the year.
Headquarters to an organization responsible for improving relations between Spain and South America. It contains a newspaper and magazine library, a video library, several exhibition rooms, and an auditorium, as well as a restaurant, shop, museum, and bookshop.
The Atocha Station is the largest railway station in Madrid (and Spain). It is the primary station serving commuter trains, intercity and regional trains from the south, and the AVE high speed trains from Barcelona, Seville and Valencia.
At this site, Madrid's first railway station was inaugurated on 9 February 1851. After the building was largely destroyed by fire, it was rebuilt and reopened in 1892.
The name Atocha has become attached to the station because of the nearby basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Atocha. The train platforms were partly covered by a roof in the form of inverted hull with a height of approximately 27 meters and length of 157 meters. The steel and glass roof spreads between two brick flanking buildings.
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