Madrid

Madrid is much more than the capital city of Spain. In many ways it is a living, breathing nerve center. Any prospective traveler will be overwhelmed by the diversity which the city has to offer.

Madrid is located close to the geographical center of Spain. It stands at the hub of both road and rail networks. Because of its location and altitude, approximately 2,150 feet, Madrid is characterized by cold winters and hot summers. For the traveler, therefore, spring and autumn are the best times to visit.

The city is filled with attractions. There are three internationally famous art galleries, a royal palace, numerous public squares and a multitude of museums which house Spain's historical treasures. The city itself is surrounded by its own province, the Comunidad de Madrid.

In the old quarter of Madrid, known appropriately as Old Madrid, one finds the well known Plaza Mayor. This square was built in the 17th century and is in many ways the focal point of the city. In the middle of the square stands a stature of Felipe III on horseback

The western part of Old Madrid is dominated by the Palacio Real. Construction of the palace began during the reign of the first Bourbon kings. Inside it is lavishly decorated by chambers such as the royal throne room.

Another part of the city, Bourbon Madrid, is home to the Parque del Retiro. It is well known for its leafy paths and avenues. Ideally, it is an excellent place to relax while visiting the many great art galleries and museums which make up this part of Madrid.

For those of you who appreciate church history, a place to visit is the Catedral de San Isidro. It is famous for its twin-towers and served as Madrid's cathedral until La Almudena was completed in 1993. Built in the mid-17th century, the church was dedicated to Madrid's patron saint, Saint Isidore.

Within every district of Madrid one will find a vast number of food markets with fresh meat, fish, fruit and vegetables. Amongst these is the Museo del Jamon which has an enormous selection of the many different types of Spanish hams, cured sausages and cheeses.

For the fashion conscious, a varied mix of clothing stores can be found around the Calle de Preciados in the center of the city. On the Calle de Serrano one comes across Spanish and international fashion names. In the Salamanca district of Madrid designer names can be found in the Calle Ortega y Gasset.

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