Madrid

Trip preparation

Brief introduction Madrid is the capital of the country and of the autonomous community of the same name. It is the largest city, and has about 6 million people living in it's metropolitan area. Residing in Madrid government offices and ministries, the Parliament, and all other institutions related to the state capital, is also the official residence of the heads of state.

Best travel time

Madrid's climate is Mediterranean with continental influences. The city conditions cause temperatures to range widely between day and night, because of anthropogenic effects. The average temperature is 12 ° C. In winter it freezes often and sometimes there is snow, and summers are hot.

History

Madrid was born as a Muslim fortress, Mayrit, which was conquered by Alfonso VI in 1083. From 1561 it became the seat of the court of Philip II and since then, except between 1601 and 1606 when the capital moved to Valladolid, has always been Spain's capital and the seat of government in the country. This has been instrumental in the evolution of the city with the establishment of the court in Madrid, its population began to grow significantly: the royal bureaucracy, members of the court, and incidentally, all the poor of the Empire made Madrid their home. It was during the change of dynasty, however, when there were major changes to the city: the Bourbons, especially Carlos III, influcend the city at its peak. During the War of Independence, the city rebelled against the French (the mythical May 2 on which Goya based one of his most popular paintings.) During the nineteenth and twentieth century Madrid was the main Spanish political city: so much so that during the Civil War, the struggle for the capital was seen as a metaphor of power over the state, which became the main Madrid military objective of Franco's troops. In 1983, Madrid became the capital of their own autonomous region.

By bus

The bus lines are run by the Transport Consortium and EMT, and have more than 2,000 vehicles and 194 lines.

By car

The main roads of Madrid are the National A-1 to A-6. It is also surrounded by a number of roads ci(the M-30, M-40, M-45 and M-50), which prevents driving across town to get from one point to another in the outskirts.

By plane

The Madrid-Barajas Airport, located 12 miles from downtown Madrid, is the main airport in Spain. It is connected with the city by the Metro line 8, buses and taxis. There is another airport, the Four Winds, it is left for military use and as a flight school.

By train

The Madrid Metro network has a length of 281 km, 238 stations and thirteen lines. The major railway stations in Madrid are the Atocha, Chamartin (from where trains to the provinces and the AVE) and the Vicálvaro. All are connected to the surrounding area and the metro.

Sights

In the center of Madrid is the Puerta del Sol, whcih is the starting point of all roads. And the center of all main streets. Some more attractions: • Plaza de Cibeles • The Bank of Spain • City Council • Puerta de Alcalá • Retirement • Plaza Mayor • Almudena Cathedral • the ancient fortress of Mayrit • Country House • Spain's Square • Temple Debod • Gran Via • The Royal Theatre • Royal Palace • The Basilica of Our Lady of Atocha • the Neptune Fountain • Columbus Square Madrid also has major museums, including: • Art Triangle (the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofía). • National Archaeological Museum • The Museo de la Real Academia de Bellas Artes • American Museum • The Museo Sorolla • National Museum of Natural Sciences • History Museum of Madrid • Railway Museum

Events

Festivals and celebrations in Madrid include: • San Isidro Labrador, May 15 • San Antonio de la Florida, June 13 • Our Lady of Carmen, July 16 • Virgen de la Paloma, 15 August • San Cayetano, August 7 • San Lorenzo, August 10 • Virgen del Pilar, October 12 • Virgen de la Almudena, November 9 Madrid is the city that most trade fairs and exhibitions are held in Spain: FITUR, Madrid Fusion, ARCO, SIMO TCI, the Motor Show, the Cibeles and Madrid Book Fair. Madrid is known for its nightlife, the traditional areas are Barrio de las Letras, Malasaña, La Latina, Chueca Lavapies.

Food

The traditional cuisine of Madrid is composed of dishes like stew, tripe, garlic soup, offal, bagels. The most popular things to order in bars and restaurants are churros, tortilla chips, sandwiches, calamari, patatas bravas or gallinejas.