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Madrid has a unique
atmosphere due to the combination of its high altitude and the mountain breeze.
At an altitude of 2,100 feet, this could be Europe's highest capital. Not only
is Madrid the capital of Spain but it is also the world capital of bullfighting.
Madrid is alive with bars and cafes and has some of the finest shops in Europe.
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| Located virtually in the centre of the country, Madrid is in close proximity to Segovia in the north and Toledo in the south, two other very important cities. Also close by is Avila an historic centre. Madrid has always been at the forefront of Spain's history; King Philip II promoted Madrid from a provincial town to his national command post in the middle of the 16th century. Since then Madrid hasn't stopped growing. Nowadays many of Spain's leading companies have head offices here as well as many major factories. Being such an economic centre, Spaniards have converged upon Madrid from every corner of the country.
The Puerta del Sol is the centre of Madrid and is the point from which all Spain's radial highways begin; 'kilometre 0'. In the central area of the Puerta del Sol you will find a statue based on Madrid's coat of arms. It shows a bear standing against a tree. You will find the very same bear all over Madrid. (see Picture right) |
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When
you
arrive
to
explore
the
centre
of
Madrid
you
will
be
subjected
to a
culture
overload.
You
will
however,
find
it
difficult
to get
lost;
all
over
the
city
you
will
find
well
placed
city
maps
and
helpful
tourist
offices.
You
will
find
every
mode
of
transport
possible
including
an
underground
Metro
and
all
are
easy
to use
and
efficient.
You
will
find
driving
in
Madrid
to be
an
absolute
nightmare
and
rush
hours
run
into
each
other.
There
are
very
few
quiet
periods
where
traffic
jams
are
not
the
norm.
You
will
have
no
trouble
finding
a
taxi;
there
are
thousands
of
them.
There
is
also a
first
class
bus
service.
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A
great
way to
see
the
city
is by
open-top
tour
bus.
The
Madrid
Vision
service
is
first
class
and
cheap;
a day
ticket
will
cost
you
around
9.62€,
a 2
day
ticket
12.02€
(2006).
Supplements
apply
for
weekends
and
holidays.
Children
under
7
travel
free.
You
can
hop on
and
off
the
bus as
many
times
as you
like
and
there
are
three
routes
to
cover.
The
easiest
place
to
start
is the
Prado
Museum
or
Puerta
del
Sol. |
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Customer
help
can be
obtained
on Tel
917651016
or fax
917791887.
Madrid
also
has an
efficient
and
cheap
Metro
service.
Madrid
has so
much
to
offer,
you
will
need a
week
to see
it
all.
Here
are
the
places
you
must
see; |
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The
Palacio
Real,
or
Royal
Palace
(pictured
right)
is
probably
one of
the
most
important
places
in
Madrid
and it
is
open
to the
public,
except
when
official
business
is
taking
place.
It is
set in
formal
gardens
on the
site
of a
Moorish
fortress
that
burned
down
in
1734.
Tickets
to
view
inside
the
palace
as
around
7€.
There
is a
small
supplement
if you
want
to be
guided
round.
There
are
many
rooms
to be
seen
including
the
throne
room
and
the
Royal
Farmacia.
Across
the
courtyard
you
will
find
the
Royal
Armoury
with
an
impressive
display
of
armour;
this
is
included
in the
tour
price.
There
is
also a
large
gift
shop.
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Outside
the
palace
are
wonderful
gardens
with
many
statues
of
past
royals.
Close
by is
the
Cathedral
of the
Almudena,
currently
being
restored. |
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The
Plaza
Mayor
(pictured
left),
is a
huge
square
constructed
in
1617.
It has
been
pedestrianised
and
can be
entered
by any
one of
nine
arches.
The
famous
square
has
played
host
to
bullfights,
fiestas
and
even
public
executions.
From
time
to
time,
events
such
as
concerts
and
fiestas
are
still
staged
here.
The
square
contains
136
houses
with
437
balconies
from
which
people
used
to
watch
the
events
held
here.
The
square
has
always
been a
popular
meeting
place,
especially
on
Sundays
when
the
many
bars
and
restaurants
complement
the
weekly
stamp
and
coin
fair.
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| In the centre of the square stands the statue of Philip III on horseback. The statue dates from 1616 and was placed in the square in 1847 after the wedding celebrations of Isabel II, during which the last bull run was held in the square.
It has been said that the people of Madrid (Madrilenos), never sleep. This is partly true. They have the least amount of sleep of all Europeans. They live to extremes. This may have something to do with the weather. its either too hot or too cold. The city is constantly vibrant and has a pulsating nightlife.
Whatever you do, enjoy Madrid. There are enough museums alone to keep you fully occupied for a week. If you want to see as much of Madrid as possible, you will have to divide it into sections and take them one by one. The best place to start is in the heart of the city and especially in the old Madrid. |
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Pictured
right
is the
Puerta
de
Alcala.
It can
be
seen
in the
centre
of the
Plaza
de la
Independencia
on
Calle
de
Alcala.
This
street
is
without
doubt,
the
most
important
in
Madrid.
It is
also
the
longest.
There
are
many
important
buildings
located
in
this
street.
See
the
Church
of the
Calatravas
and
the
Church
of San
Jose.
You
will
also
find
the
Fine
Arts
Museum
and
the
Casino
on
this
street.
At the
other
end of
the
street
is the
Puerta
del
Sol. |
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In the Plaza Colon (pictured left) you will find several monuments to Columbus and his travels. The Gardens of Discovery in the centre of the square are towered over by huge blocks of stone on which details of the travels of Columbus and his men are inscribed. The tall monument of Columbus is in Neo-Gothic style and dates from 1885. Beneath the square is the Cultural Centre. This building houses a theatre, concert hall and exhibition rooms. The centre is masked by a wall of water.
Close by is the Wax Museum (Museo de Cera) which has over 450 sculptures and a 'horror train' ride, the Palace of Justice and the Archaeological Museum with its impressive dinosaur collection.
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| There are many parks and gardens to explore including the Botanical Gardens with their exotic plants. These can be found alongside the Prado Museum.
You must also see the massive Parque del Buen Retiro. The park has a central lake, numerous fountains and statues and pleasant walkways. The park comes alive at weekends and is the place to be seen. It consists of 12 hectares and originally formed part of the Palace of Buen Retiro, constructed in the 17th century by Philip IV. There are two palaces in the park at which many exhibitions are held.
Hire a boat on the lake or just sit and enjoy the many street entertainers that converge here. |
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