MadridMadridEdificios y BalconesEdificios y Balcones

MADRID Coat of Arms

MadridMadridThe capital of Spain, located in the The capital of Spain, located in the heart of the peninsula and right in heart of the peninsula and right in the center of the Castillian plain the center of the Castillian plain

646 meters above sea level, has a 646 meters above sea level, has a population of over three million. A population of over three million. A

cosmopolitan city, a business cosmopolitan city, a business center, headquarters for the Public center, headquarters for the Public

Administration, Government, Administration, Government, Spanish Parliament and the home of Spanish Parliament and the home of the Spanish Royal Family. Madrid is the Spanish Royal Family. Madrid is

characterized by intense cultural characterized by intense cultural and artistic activity and a very and artistic activity and a very

lively nightlifelively nightlife..

Coat of Arms

Plaza Plaza MayorMayor

The grand metropolis of Madrid can trace its The grand metropolis of Madrid can trace its origins to the times of Arab Emir Mohamed I (852-origins to the times of Arab Emir Mohamed I (852-

886), who ordered the construction of a fortress on 886), who ordered the construction of a fortress on the left bank of the Manzanares river. Later it the left bank of the Manzanares river. Later it became the subject of a dispute between the became the subject of a dispute between the

Christians and Arabs until it was conquered by Christians and Arabs until it was conquered by Alonso VI in the 11th century. At the end of the Alonso VI in the 11th century. At the end of the 17th century, a defensive wall was built for the 17th century, a defensive wall was built for the

protection of the new outlying areas, tracing the protection of the new outlying areas, tracing the roads of Segovia, Toledo and Valencia. During the roads of Segovia, Toledo and Valencia. During the 18th century, under the reign of Carlos III, were 18th century, under the reign of Carlos III, were

designed the great arteries of the city, such as the designed the great arteries of the city, such as the Paseo del Prado and Paseo las AcaciasPaseo del Prado and Paseo las Acacias..

At the beginning of the 19th century, Joseph At the beginning of the 19th century, Joseph Bonaparte undertook the reform of the Bonaparte undertook the reform of the

Puerta del Sol and vicinity. The commercial Puerta del Sol and vicinity. The commercial street known as the Gran Vía was built as an street known as the Gran Vía was built as an east-west avenue at the start of the century. east-west avenue at the start of the century.

In the 1950's the north-south boulevard In the 1950's the north-south boulevard called Paseo de la Castellana was extended called Paseo de la Castellana was extended and modern buildings were erected, housing and modern buildings were erected, housing the major financial institutions. Remaining of the major financial institutions. Remaining of the distant past are mainly the Baroque and the distant past are mainly the Baroque and neoclassical structures of the 17th and 18th neoclassical structures of the 17th and 18th

centuries, such as the Plaza Mayor (Main centuries, such as the Plaza Mayor (Main Square), the Palacio Real (Royal Palace)Square), the Palacio Real (Royal Palace)..

Henry III of Castile (1379-1406) rebuilt the city after Madrid's big fire.

Calle de la Sal

Posada del peine

El Café de la OperaEl Café de la Opera

The kingdoms of Castilla, with its capital at The kingdoms of Castilla, with its capital at Toledo, and Aragón, with its capital at Toledo, and Aragón, with its capital at

Zaragoza, were welded into modern Spain Zaragoza, were welded into modern Spain by Charles I of Spain. Though Charles by Charles I of Spain. Though Charles

favored Madrid, it was his son, Philip II favored Madrid, it was his son, Philip II (1527-1598) who moved the court to Madrid (1527-1598) who moved the court to Madrid

in 1561in 1561..

End of Renaissance and early End of Renaissance and early modern Madridmodern Madrid

Felipe V decided to build new palaces Felipe V decided to build new palaces (including the Palacio Real de Madrid). (including the Palacio Real de Madrid).

However, it would not be until Carlos III (1716-However, it would not be until Carlos III (1716-1788) that Madrid would become a modern 1788) that Madrid would become a modern city. Carlos III was one of the most popular city. Carlos III was one of the most popular

kings in the history of Madrid, and the saying kings in the history of Madrid, and the saying "the best mayor"the best mayor””

Early PhotosEarly Photos

The 20th century in MadridThe 20th century in MadridIsabel II could not calm down the political tension that Isabel II could not calm down the political tension that

would lead to yet another revolt, the First Spanish would lead to yet another revolt, the First Spanish Republic, and the comeback of the monarchs, which Republic, and the comeback of the monarchs, which

eventually led to the Second Spanish Republic and the eventually led to the Second Spanish Republic and the Spanish Civil War. During this war (1936-1939) Madrid Spanish Civil War. During this war (1936-1939) Madrid was one of the most affected cities and its streets were was one of the most affected cities and its streets were

battle zones. Madrid was a stronghold of the battle zones. Madrid was a stronghold of the Republicans from July 1936. Its western suburbs were Republicans from July 1936. Its western suburbs were the scene of an all out battle in November 1936, when the scene of an all out battle in November 1936, when the Nationalist forces tried to take the city. Thereafter, the Nationalist forces tried to take the city. Thereafter,

the city was besieged for almost three years, until it the city was besieged for almost three years, until it surrendered in March 1939. It was during the Civil War surrendered in March 1939. It was during the Civil War

that Madrid became the first city to be bombed by that Madrid became the first city to be bombed by airplanes specifically targeting civiliansairplanes specifically targeting civilians . .