MAdrid (Madrid) is the capital of Spain and its own region. Here the celebration of life and fun does not stop for a minute.
As the highest capital in Europe, Madrid is very hot in summer and quite cool in winter, with moderate weather in spring and autumn. Spring is the best time to visit and walk in the parks and alleys of this city.
Story
Madrid was founded in 856-886, during the reign of Emir Mohamed, who ordered the construction of a fortress on the left bank of the Manzanares River. For a long time, Christian and Muslim countries fought for the right to own this fortress, which was reflected in the appearance of the city.
Sights and recreation
The city center is Puerta del Sol with three statues and the ancient Post Office (1768). The square is decorated with the symbol of the city - a bear and a strawberry tree.
The colonnaded central square of the Plaza Mayor in the Habsburg area served as a market square, bullfighting and burning site in the Middle Ages. In the center of the square stands a statue of Philip III. On the eastern side of the Plaza Mayor is the Plaza de la Provincia, where the Santa Cruz Palace is located. Dozens of monasteries and palaces are scattered along the nearby medieval streets, and in Paja Square there is the Bishop's Chapel, the only temple in the Gothic style in Madrid.
In one of the ancient quarters of Madrid, La Latina, the Puerta de Toledo (“Gate of Toledo”) is located. There you can see the Basilica of St. Francis the Great, the Chapel of Cristo de la Venerable, and the small Vistillas Park, which offers a panoramic view of the western part of the city.
The Royal Palace (Palacio Real), surrounded by a park with the Sabatini Gardens and the Moorish Field - is currently partially open to the public. Nearby is the Almudena Cathedral (Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Almudena).
In the Plaza de España, two buildings from the 50s of the 20th century stand out - the House of Spain and the Tower of Madrid, as well as a monument of national importance - the Church of San Marcos (1753) in the Baroque style. Nearby is the Serralbo Museum, a lush 19th-century palace with an interesting collection of art, as well as the Liria Palace, residence of the Duchess of Alba and home to the Alba House Foundation, which houses a collection of works by great masters. Behind the palace is the baroque Conde Duque Barracks, built in 1720, which houses municipal services as well as exhibition halls and the municipal library. In summer, concerts and evening performances are held in the courtyard.
In addition, the city has a large number of parks and gardens. Retiro Park was built in the 17th century. as a relaxation area for royalty in Madrid. More than 15 thousand trees grow in the park, many different gardens have been laid out and many monuments have been erected, among which the most famous are the Velazquez Palace and the Glass Palace.
Nightlife lovers should visit Santa Barbara, Bilbao and Alonso Martinez squares in Madrid, where many cafes, eateries and bars are concentrated. The Argüelles and Moncloa neighborhoods have inexpensive bars, mostly popular with students and young people. The Prado, Castellana and Recoletos boulevards are areas of restaurants, trendy cafes and bars.
If you travel around Madrid, you will always find it very interesting, regardless of whether you are interested in the ancient history of this city or you prefer modern Madrid.