SPAIN : The capital MADRID
The capital of
Spain, located in the heart of the peninsula and right in the center of
the Castillian plain 646 meters above sea level, has a population of
over three million.
Madrid is the capital and largest city in Spain, as well as in the
province and the autonomous community of the same name. It is located on
the Manzanares river in the center of the country.
The origins of the city are arabic. Emir Mohamed I (852-886),
ordered the construction of a fortress on the left bank of the
Manzanares river. Alonso VI conquered this fortress in the 11th
century. At the end of the 17th century, a defensive wall was built for
the protection of the new outlying areas, tracing the roads of
Segovia, Toledo and Valencia. Under the reign of Carlos III in the 18th
century, were the great arteries of the city were constructed (the Paseo
del Prado and the Paseo las Acacias ).
Joseph Bonaparte (brother of) redesigned the Puerta del Sol and its
neighbourhood in the early 19th century. The Gran Vía, which
was the main commercial artery, was built as an
east-west avenue at the start of the century. In the
1950's the north-south boulevard called Paseo de la Castellana was
extended and modern buildings were erected, housing the major financial
institutions.
Examples of different architectural and artistic styles from
medieval, over baroque to modern architecture can be found all over the
city. The baroque style is illustrated by the Fuente de la Fama
(Fountain of Fame), Convento de San Antón (St. Anton's Convent) and
San Isidro.
As the former capital of the old Spanish Empire, Madrid has always been
a cultural center. Renowned museums such as Museo del Prado, the Museo
Reina Sofia, and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza are major tourist
attractions in the city. Other cultural highlights include the Royal
Palace of Madrid and the nearby royal monastery of San Lorenzo de El
Escorial. All through the year the livelyand
colourful fiestas of Madrid liven up the city, with each barrio
(district) trying to outdo the other in its celebrations. The highlights
include Reyes Magos (Feast of the Three Kings), Carnival, the religious
processions of Holy Week, the San Isidro festival in May (the beginning
of the bullfighting season) and Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve), when the
Puerta del Sol becomes the focal point during several hours of
uninhibited partying.
Following the restoration of democracy in 1975 and the integation to the
European Union, Madrid has experienced an increasing role in European
finances making it one of the most important Southern European cities.
Madrid is certainly
Europe's lushest and greenest capital. The city indeed has an abundance
of pleasant parks and open spaces, such as the Real Jardín Botánico
(Royal Botanical Garden), Casa de Campo (Home Field) and Parque del
Oeste (Park of the West), which offer a diversion from the hubbub of the
city.