Cibeles
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.
A cosmopolitan city, a business center, headquarters for the
Public Administration, Government, Spanish Parliament and the
home of the Spanish Royal Family, Madrid also plays a major
role in both the banking and industrial sectors. Most of its
industry is located in the Southern fringe of the city, where
important textile, food and metal working factories are clustered.
Madrid is characterized by intense cultural and artistic activity
and a very lively nightlife.
The grand metropolis of Madrid can trace its
origins to the times of Arab Emir Mohamed I (852-886), who ordered
the construction of a fortress on the left bank of the Manzanares
river. Later it became the subject of a dispute between the
Christians and Arabs until it was conquered by Alonso VI 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. During the
18th century, under the reign of Carlos III, were designed the
great arteries of the city, such as the Paseo del Prado and
Paseo las Acacias.
Palacio de Cristal |
Retiro |
At the beginning of the 19th century, Joseph
Bonaparte undertook the reform of the Puerta del Sol and vicinity.
The commercial street known as the Gran Vía 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. Remainings of the distant past are mainly
the Baroque and neoclassical strcutures of the 17th and 18th
centuries, such as the Plaza Mayor (Main Square), the Palacio
Real (Royal Palace) and others which will be described later
during our guide of the city.
Madrid – Places of Interest
Plaza
Major - Madrid
Like many cities Madrid has its special places and the Plaza
Mayor has to be one of them. It is traffic free and can hold
up to 50,000 at any one time. The bars and restaurants around
the square are a great place to people watch get some refreshment
and have a rest from shopping. The casa de la Panaderia on the
north side dates from 1590 but the murals were added much later.
On Sunday mornings it is a tradition for stamp collectors to
fill the arcades that surround the Plaza and nowadays anything
that can be collected can be traded here. It is definitely not
the cheapest place to eat, but worth it!
The
Archaeological Museum
(Site is in Spanish) Madrid's Archaological Museum contains
43 rooms of archaeological artifacts and a reproduction of the
roofs of the caves at Alta Mira.
The
Prado Art Museum
One of Madrid's top tourist attraction, the Prado is a must-see.
Each month there's a guided tour called "a work, an artist"
that takes an in depth look at a particular piece. Basic admission
is a low (and odd) 3.01 Euros.
Museo
Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
The principle location in Madrid for national and international
exhibitions like London's Tate Gallery or Paris' Pompidou centre.
3 Euros entrance fee.
Museo
Thyssen-Bornemisza
An international collection of paintings that compliments the
Prado and the Reina Sofía.
Fiestas:
December/January Christmas festivities
The traditional nativity scene is held in the PlazaMayor and
the New Year is celebrated by crowds in Puerta del Sol. On the
eve of Reyes (January 7) a procession of the Three Wise Men
is arranged by the Ayuntamiento through the centre of the city.
San Antón
On 17th January, the traditional procession of animals is blessed
in an unusual manner around the Church of San Antonio Abad.
February Carnival
The Ayuntamiento arrange a week of fiestas with a procession
of carriages, a parade in costumes through the streets and a
fancy dress competition. Also Cádiz street musicians
with lots of entertainment. The fiesta ends with the famous
Entierro de la Sardina (Burial of the Sardine) where members
of the various associations dress up in top hats and black cloaks
to follow the coffin containing the sardine for burial in San
Antonio de la Florida. Mockingly, but looking serious, this
quaint procession walks through old Madrid, often stopping at
tabernas to quench their thirst.
March-April Holy Week
Madrid as well as the rest of Spain, holds its own Holy Week
processions with visits to places of interest, many Madrilenians
take advantage of these few days to spend some time away from
the city.
May 2 Celebrations
Madrid celebrates with parades, processions and various events
coinciding with those held in the Plaza 2 de Mayo in the Malasaña
area, very popular with young people.
May 15th St. Isidore
The Ayuntamiento organises various activities which continue
almost to the end of the month. These include dances, pilgrimages,
street musicians, classical concerts, theatre, etc. The St.
Isidore shrine is erected on the banks of the River Manzanares
on the spot where the saint performed the miracle of causing
a spring to open up from the ground. This spot is the traditional
point of pilgrimage.
June 13th St. Anthony
This ancient Madrilenian dance is held in San Antonio de la
Florida.
June 24th St. John
Various districts in Madrid such as, Retiro, Batán and
Manoteras celebrate this festival.
June 29th St. Peter
This is celebrated in districts of Madrid such as Carabanchel
and Prosperidad.
July 16th Virgen del Carmen
Celebrations are held in the various districts of Madrid such
as Vallecas, Villaverde Alto and Carabanchel Bajo.
Aug. 3rd San Cayetano
Aug 5th San Lorenzo
Aug 15th La Paloma
These celebrations are typical of Madrid and Lavapiés,
La Latina, Tirso de Molina and Puerta de Toledo, each has a
village atmosphere. The streets are decorated and sangria made
with white wine is drunk. Dancing and competitions are also
included in the celebrations.
Nov. 9th La Almudena
The patroness of the city with various celebrations taking place.
CULTURE:
• November : The Jazz Festival is held in various theatres
in Madrid with some of the world's best jazz musicians.
• October - April: Seasons of Chamber and Polyphonic Music
in the National Auditorium.
• Autumn/Winter: Municipal band concerts at the Centro
Cultural de la Villa, Madrid.
• Summer: Every Sunday in the bandstand in the Retiro
Park.
• January to June: every Wednesday, season of concerts
are held at the Fundacion Juan March.
• March: The International Theatre Festival is held with
groups from around the world.
• September and October: The Autumn Festival is held with
concerts, theatre and dance.
• May and June: Madrid in Dance Festival takes place.
• November to March, the National Radio's Musical at the
Circulo de Bellas Artes.
• May and June: The Madrid in Dance Festival takes place.
• October to July Opera is performed at the Teatro de
la Zarzuela.
• October to April: Season of Concerts is held at the
National Auditorium.
• October to March, a season of concerts is held at the
Teatro Monumental.
• July to September: There are theatre, open-air cinemas,
concerts, etc.
• April : The Flamenco Summit meets in Madrid.
• 2nd to 10th April the Madrid festival of cinema dedicated
to fantasy and science fiction.
