Madrid: Monuments And Places To See
Its immense cultural and artistic heritage, the legacy of several centuries of history, makes Madrid one of the most beautiful European capitals. This lively and friendly city offers visitors a number of monuments, museums and gardens.
Presentation
The capital of Spain, Madrid is also the country's largest and most populous city. This contrasting destination combines the modern infrastructure of an economic, financial and administrative center with a rich architectural and artistic heritage.
Having become the capital of Spain in 1561, on the initiative of King Philip II, the Iberian city was enriched with numerous monuments during the reign of the Habsburgs and then the Bourbons.
From this glorious past the Spanish capital has kept an exceptional heritage that requires several days of visit. We propose you below an outline of the attractions of the city.
Visit the historical center
Madrid has an important historical center, also known as 'Madrid of the Austrians' or 'Madrid of the Habsburgs', which testifies to the splendor of the city in the 16th and 17th centuries.
In particular, you can start with a visit to the famous Plaza Mayor, inaugurated in 1620, and continue with the Royal Palace, whose architecture is a mixture of Baroque and Classicism. You can also see the Cathedral of the Almudena that faces it.
In the city center, don't miss the Colegiata de San Isidro, a beautiful Baroque church, as well as the fountains of the Cibeles and Neptuno squares that you can reach by Walking along the Paseo del Prado, nicknamed 'the golden triangle' for its incomparable museums.
To get to the Puerta del Sol square, which is the true heart of the Iberian capital, take the Gran Via street, one of the most commercial arteries of Madrid offering a succession of cinemas, cafes and stores.
Other sites to see
Madrid offers many more notable sights, including the Alcalá Gate, the Toledo Gate and the Church of San Antonio de la Florida, whose dome painted by Goya is considered one of the painter's greatest works.
The Retiro Park, former resort of the kings of Spain, the Casa de Campo Park and the Juan Carlos I Park make the city one of the greenest capitals in Europe.
In the vicinity of the city, about 50 kilometers north, you can also visit the imposing Escurial Monastery.
Museums in Madrid
The Spanish capital has 73 museums, among which three of the most grandiose museums in Europe are concentrated on the Paseo del Prado.
The famous Prado Museum is renowned for its magnificent collection of Spanish masters, while the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum exhibits more than 800 works, from Flemish primitives to avant-garde movements.
Finally, the Reina Sofía National Art Center, dedicated to contemporary Spanish art, invites you to discover works by Pablo Picasso but also Joan Miró, Salvador Dali and Juan Gris.
