Schmap Madrid Historical Background

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Madrid - Historical Background
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In 1561 Madrid--with a population of 15,000--became the capital of Spain by decree of King Felipe II. He chose Madrid because of its central location, his aim being to unify the disparate regions of the peninsula and his vast empire.

Romans?

Some historians claim that Madrid stands on the site of a Roman town, Mantua Carpetana. Although there's no proof to support this theory, archaeological remains do confirm that there has been continuous human settlement in this area for as long as in any other part of Europe. The Museo Nacional Arqueológico displays archaeological artifacts left by prehistoric settlers.

Moors

The Moorish invasion of the peninsula is clearly documented. During the ninth century, the Moors built a military outpost, to guard against a Christian attack from the Guadarrama mountains to the north, on the rock where the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) now stands. They called this settlement, Mayrit, and you can still see remains of the original defensive walls, below the Almudena Cathedral.

Christians

Christian forces unsuccessfully attacked Mayrit in 932, and again in 1047, in an attempt to regain the land they had lost. But it wasn't until 1086 that the Christian king, Alfonso VI, was able to capture Madrid (Mayrit) along with nearby Toledo. During the following decades, the city (which was still no more than a village) was constantly besieged. The Campo del Moro (Moor's Field), located just below the Royal Palace, was named after the Moorish siege encampment.

In the late 13th century, Madrid was an ordinary medieval village with less than 4,000 inhabitants. Two churches still remain from that era, the San Nicols de los Servitas and the San Pedro el Viejo, both located near the Plaza de la Villa.

The Royal Court and a New Capital

The nobility began to gather in Madrid during the 14th century, and succeeding monarchs saw the growing settlement as a pleasant retreat from ongoing social unrest in other parts of the country. By the 15th century, Madrid had become a centre of trade and finance, and areas like the Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor began to develop. The Catholic Monarchs (Isabel and Ferdinand) united the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon in 1479, and ruled over a period of relative political stability. During their reign, Christopher Columbus "discovered" the New World and most of the Jewish population was expelled from Spain.

Bourbons

The French-born Felipe V was crowned king in 1700. By this time the capital had been in decline for many years, and he set about regenerating it with the help of the Marquis de Vadillo and architects and engineers like Teodoro Ardeman and Pedro Ribera. They walled in the banks of the Manzanares River to make it look grander and built baroque masterpieces like the Puente de Toledo bridge, the San Fernando Hospital and the Monte de Piedad.

Carlos III, who came to the throne in 1759, was known as the "mayor" because of all the building work and improvements to the city he commissioned. Not only did he finish the construction of a new royal palace, La Granja de San Ildefonso, he also renovated the area around the Prado by building the Plaza de Cibeles, Atocha, Neptune's Fountain and the Puerta de Alcalá.

19th Century

Historians divide this century into two periods: decline and recovery. The French invasion, which installed Napoleon's brother on the Spanish throne, led to a period of decline in Madrid. King Joseph Bonaparte tore down a number of churches during his reign, leading to wider boulevards and generally broader streets as a result. When Fernando VII was returned to the throne, he restored the Church's property and began rebuilding what had been destroyed during the war.

During the reign of Queen Isabel II, the construction of the Isabel II Canal and the arrival of the railway expanded the city's transportation and communications network.

During Madrid's period of recovery, the city slowly regained its lost urban splendour. The prospering bourgeoisie started to build small residential palaces like the Palacio de Linares and the Palacio de Gaviria. The demand for housing grew, and new neighbourhoods like Chamberí, Argüelles and Salamanca were built outside the old town.

The Republic

Madrid suffered the same feeling of defeat as the rest of the country when Spain lost its last remaining colonies (the Philippines, Cuba and Puerto Rico) in 1898. Alfonso XIII was crowned king in 1902 and brought in a new period of parliamentary monarchy, which had to cope with the economic and political crisis resulting from the losses of 1898.

The only example of Modernist architecture, popular at this time in Europe and North America, is the Palacio de Longoria, which now acts as headquarters to the Sociedad General de Autores. The urban development programme, Ciudad Lineal (Linear City), designed by an engineer, Arturo Soria, was the only progressive project of its kind to be carried out in a stagnant late-19th century Madrid.

The most exciting architectural event of the early-20th century in Madrid was a gathering of international architects to design the first stretch of the Gran Vía, from Calle Alcalá to San Luis.

The university campus (Ciudad Universitaria) was built during General Primo de Rivera's dictatorship (1923-1930) in a similar style to projects in the US and other parts of Europe.

The Republican coalition won the elections of April 1931. Thousands of supporters celebrated the victory and the Declaration of the Second Republic in the Puerta del Sol.

The Civil War

Increasing social unrest and political instability led to a bloody civil war after a military uprising against the democratically elected Republican government. The civil war lasted from 1936-1939 and during this time the Republican-held city was under constant siege. The streets became war zones. The area by the Plaza de España, along Calle Princesa and Calle Rosales to the Parque del Oeste, was most damaged by the constant bombings by the Nationalists. The park itself was the frontline. The Republicans cleverly managed to protect monuments like the Cibeles statue, the Puerta de Alcalá and Neptune's fountain on Paseo del Prado under mounds of bricks and sandbags. The Republican barricades and cries of No pasarn (They shall not pass) could not stop the advance of the Nationalist forces.

The Franco Years

A reconstruction programme began after the civil war, and the Gran Vía was eventually completed. A massive influx of immigrants from other parts of Spain - even poorer than Madrid - rapidly increased the city's population.

During the 1960s, many new districts were built on the outskirts, spreading further and further out into the surrounding plains. The economy began to grow and speculative construction became common and damaging to districts like the Paseo de la Castellana where many historic palaces were demolished to make way for tall, modern apartment blocks.

Democracy

There has been constant architectural change and renewal in Madrid since the end of the dictatorship in 1975. The Gran Vía is no longer the elegant avenue it once was. It's now a busy commercial street full of shops and cinemas. The Paseo de la Castellana, once home to the wealthy upper-middle classes, has been taken over by banks and embassies. The once rundown and seedy Chueca district has been transformed by the gay community into a lively and stimulating place to live, work and have fun.

Since democracy returned to Spain, Madrid's fantastic metro system has expanded, numerous historic buildings have been restored, parks and public squares have been properly maintained, trees have been planted all over the city and new fountains built. Major construction projects like the Picasso Tower and the KIO Towers demonstrate what a modern place the city has become, eager to contribute to the European Union and benefit from the Euro zone economy.

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Archaeological Museum

Remains from pre-history to the 19th century

Serrano, 13
Madrid, Madrid 28001
Spain
+34 91 577 7912

It contains thousands of pre-historic artefacts and remains from the ancient civilizations based in Italy, Greece, Cyprus and Egypt. One of the highlights is the museum's reproduction of the Altamira caves in northern Spain with their fascinating pre-historic cave paintings (open 11a-midday & 5:30-6:30p). There's a research library as well as video and slide-show facilities.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Archaeological Museum photo by Recuerdos Desconcert

Photo: Recuerdos Desconcert

Archaeological Museum photo by Allan Lam

Photo: Allan Lam

Archaeological Museum photo by Stephan Burn

Photo: Stephan Burn

Archaeological Museum photo by Serenity Forbes

Photo: Serenity Forbes

Archaeological Museum photo by Alba Vallejo

Photo: Alba Vallejo

Archaeological Museum photo by Paul Blockley

Photo: Paul Blockley

Atocha Station

Stylishly restored old railway station Emperador Carlos V 3
Madrid, Madrid 28012
Spain
+34 90 224 0202/ +34 90 224 3402 (National rail company, Spain)/ +34 91 506 6846 Made of steel and glass, this fine old railway station building was designed by the Basque architect, Ricardo Velázquez Bosco, who was also responsible for the Palacio de Cristal in Retiro Park. It has been stylishly converted into tropical gardens under glass with an elegant first-floor restaurant. There's a permanent display of sculpture in the hall that leads to the new station. In summer you can visit the popular terrace-bar that's set up outside. It was built in 1892 for the Rothschilds who controlled the development of the railways at that time. Unfortunately, the Atocha Station was one of the locations of the 11-M islamist terrorist attack that took place the 11th of March of 2004. In 2007 a big glass memorial monument was inaugurated outside of the station. This monument contains the names of all the victims and the condolence messages of Madrid´s population. Admission: free.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Barrio Salamanca

Madrid
Spain
Ever since Madrid's city walls came down in the 1860s, the Salamanca district in the north has been one of the most fashionable areas to live in Madrid. The western border is marked by Calle Serrano, a street with ample international shops, stores and boutiques. Now, the US Embassy is located in this area, close to the magnificent Lazaro Galdiano Museum. The neighborhood is also home to the world's most important bullfighting ring, the 25,000 seat Las Ventas, offering a taste of a true Spanish tradition.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Steven Wong
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Cathedral of the Almudena

Patron saint of Madrid Calle de Bailén
Madrid, Madrid 28013
Spain
+34 91 542 2200
http://www.archimadrid.es/prin... Madrid's cathedral took over 100 years to build, due to political conflicts, wars and a lack of financial resources. According to legend, it's named after the Virgen de la Almudena, whose icon was found during the Reconquest hidden in a house that the Arabs called al mudena. The building's exterior is an example of eclectic 19th-century design. The doors are bronze and there's an image of the Virgen (now Madrid's patron saint) on the façade. The interior is full of light, benefitting from the stained-glass windows and multi-coloured ceiling. Its grand Grezing organ gets played on Sundays, holidays and the day before holidays.

Mass: 10am & midday Mon-Fri; 6pm & 7pm Sat & days preceding public holidays; 10.30am, midday, 1.30pm, 6pm & 7pm Sun & hols.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Church of St Nicholas

Old church celebrating mass in Italian Plaza de San Nicolás, 1
Madrid, Madrid 28013
Spain
+34 91 559 4064 Madrid's Italian church celebrates mass in Italian if a large enough group of native speakers requests it. The building has a perfectly preserved 12th-century mudéjar tower with lobe and horseshoe arches that was the minaret of a mosque before being turned into a bell tower. The chapels inside contain an interesting collection of paintings and sculptures by Salvatierra, Pedro de Mena and Nicolás de Busy, as well as the most impressive coffered ceilings in Madrid. Apart from the tower, the rest of the church dates from the 15th century and later.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: José Casas

Cibeles

A symbol of Madrid Plaza de Cibeles
Madrid, Madrid 28014
Spain
Another majestic work of art commissioned by King Carlos III to ennoble the city. This time his architects chose to create an image in white stone of the goddess Cibeles driving a carriage drawn by lions. Ventura Rodríguez came up with the design while Roberto Michel and Francisco Gutiérrez carried out the work. It's surrounded by some of the city's most important historic buildings and it has become a favourite symbolic landmark for madrileños. The fans of Real Madrid football club gather here to celebrate their team's victories.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Gate of Alcalá

Famous gateway to Madrid Plaza de la Independencia
Madrid, Madrid 28001
Spain
One of Madrid's enduring symbols, it's made entirely of granite with one central arch and two smaller passageways on each side. Carlos III had his Court architect Sabatini build the gate in 1778 as a monument to himself and to show visiting merchants from Aragon how important the city had become. The ornamental statues are the work of Roberto Michel and Francisco Gutiérrez. It's location is spectacular, as it stands on raised ground opposite another symbol of the city, Cibeles Fountain.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Gran Via

Madrid
Spain
Traffic surges through this long, noisy avenue, along with swarms of locals and tourists. Look up and admire the eccentric 20th-century architecture built during the Franco era. You'll find every style represented, from neo-baroque to art deco. As you follow the Gran Vía all the way from Calle Alcalá to Plaza de España, take note of the grand old-fashioned movie houses, some of the last of their kind, which continue hiring artists to paint original movie posters. Other buildings to watch out for are the elegantly domed Edificio Metrópolis at the Alcalá intersection, and the monstrous Telefónica building halfway down.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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KIO Towers (Gate of Europe)

Leaning towers of Madrid Plaza de Castilla, s/n
Madrid, Madrid 28046
Spain
Built of granite, glass and metal, the angle at which these towers lean is simply spectacular. They're 27 stories high and a shining example of how dynamic and modern Madrid has become. Their official name is Puerta de Europa (Gateway to Europe), though locals call them the KIO Towers after the business group in charge of their construction. They were eventually completed in 1996 by the banking group Caja Madrid. Architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee (famous for New York's AT&T tower) designed them as office space and they're the most dramatic sight on the skyline as you arrive from the north.

They are not open to the public.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Linares Palace

Promoting Latin American culture Paseo de Recoletos, 2
Madrid, Madrid 28001
Spain
+34 91 595 4800
http://www.casamerica.es/insti... Headquarters to an organization responsible for improving relations between Spain and South America, this lovely old palace acts as a venue for numerous cultural events throughout the year. It contains a newspaper and magazine library, a video library, several exhibition rooms and an auditorium, as well as a restaurant, shop, museum and bookshop. It's one of the finest examples of neo-baroque design in Spain and was built at the end of the 19th century for the Marquis of Linares. You'll find it amongst all the other architectural masterpieces surrounding Cibeles Fountain. Admission: Free.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Longoria Palace

Modernist style palace Calle de Fernando VI 4
Madrid, Madrid 28004
Spain
+34 91 349 9550 / +34 91 349 9500
http://www.sgae.es/ Longoria Palace, as it's also known, is Madrid's finest example of modernist architecture. Take a look at the sinuous forms of its balconies, its windows shaped like leaves, its lovely wrought-iron work and the strikingly original structure itself. It belongs to Spain's General Society of Authors and is normally closed to the public. However, you can gain access on the first Monday in October every year (World Architecture Day) when every building in Madrid opens for free. Once inside you can appreciate the spectacular staircase, its balustrade and the glass-domed ceiling.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Malasaña & Chueca

Madrid
Spain
This is a fairly quiet area during the day, with winding streets and 19th-century architecture. At night it's transformed into a busy nightlife spot as young and old mix in the many bars, discos and cafés. Malasaña is dominated by Plaza Dos de Mayo, while Chueca is the epicentre for the city's gay population. Discos like Black & White are great places to dance or take in a drag show!

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Moncloa & Argüelles

Madrid
Spain
Nightlife, nightlife and more nightlife! This area is dominated by great tapas bars that don't even open until 9pm or later. Alternatively, try out Al Pil Pil for good Basque food; Gaudí for a mainly vegetarian menu; and the Sports Café if you want to watch the football on TV whilst enjoying typical American or Catalan food. A student enclave, come prepared to encounter a lot of enthusiasm.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Neptune's Fountain

Fountain in a noble square Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo
Madrid, Madrid 28014
Spain
Neptune's Fountain stands in green and peaceful Plaza Cánovas del Castillo, a totally different atmosphere from the hurly-burly surrounding its sister fountain up the road, Cibeles. Carlos III had it built by Ventura Rodríguez in 1780 as part of his continuous quest to beautify the city. You'll find two upmarket hotels in the same square - Ritz and Palace - as well as the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza. Atlético de Madrid football fans meet here to celebrate their team's victories with rowdy high spirits.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Palacio de Gaviria

Combine sightseeing with disco dancing Calle del Arenal 9
Madrid, Madrid 28013
Spain
+34 91 526 6069
http://www.palaciogaviria.com/ Once a mid-19th century meeting place for Madrid's high society, this beautiful palace is now a luxurious disco, open to the general public. There is a different special theme every night: Tuesday nights it is salsa, Wednesdays are for tango, and Thursday nights you can enjoy the International Fiesta. Manuel Gaviria, a prominent banker, hired an Italian architect to create the Renaissance-style palace in 1846. Sadly, the neon signs and tacky shops and bars on the busy street level detract more than a little from what must have been a magnificent external appearance. Admission: Su-Th EUR 10, F-Sa EUR 15.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Palacio de Gaviria photo by wcities
Photo: wcities

Parque del Oeste

Huge park with a rose garden Paseo del Pintor Rosales, s/n
Madrid 28008
Spain
+34 91 5888790 This is a park popular among madrileños and tourists alike due to its central location, close to several historic sights. You will find lots of people taking a stroll through here during the day, although it's best to avoid the place at night. You'll enjoy the carefully tended gardens that display a wide range of different plants and a series of monumental sculptures. The most outstanding feature is the beautiful Rosaleda, or rose garden, which hosts an annual international competition. It's also worth visiting the National School of Ceramics and Templo de Debod, while you're here.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Paseo de Castellana

Madrid
Spain
This long tree-lined boulevard is the backbone of Madrid. It's so long that it even has three official names. Come here to relax, take a coffee break or sightsee. Starting from Atocha train station, wander up shady Paseo del Prado and take in two of Madrid's most famous art museums: the Prado and the Thyssen Bornemisza. The area also features the Real Jardín Botánico (Royal Botanical Gardens), home of many exotic plants. Continue on until you reach Plaza de Cibeles and the grand Palacio de Telecomunicaciones (post office). Suddenly, the boulevard turns into the Paseo de Recoletos, a great place to take a stroll. Or, better still, stop at Café Gijón, where Spain's intellectuals hang out, for a café con leche (white coffee). Check the local listings for times and dates of the book and craft fairs that take place along this part of the Castellana. Continuing on, you'll pass the massive square and monument to Columbus, and the Bibilioteca Nacional (National Library). At this point, the street officially becomes Paseo de la Castellana, a busy commercial area. Here you'll find Real Madrid's football stadium, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, and more banks.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Paseo de la Castellana

Madrid's most famous avenue Paseo de la Castellana
Madrid, Madrid 28046
Spain
Madrid's greatest and grandest avenue runs between Plaza de Colón and Plaza de Castilla. During the 1950s and 1960s this became an exclusive residential district when the aristocracy and wealthy upper-middle classes decided to move in. Today, their lovely palaces and mansions stand side by side with the headquarters of foreign and national banks. These skyscrapers - Europa, Windsor, Torre Picasso and Puerta de Europa - offer an overview of styles in contemporary architecture since the 1960s. Look out for the ABC building, which is decorated in fabulous ceramic tiles, and the Palacio de Congresos, with its murals designed by Miró. Come on October 12 and you'll see Spanish army's spectacular military parade pass by.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Plaza de España

Oasis in the leisure zone Calle Princessa
Madrid, Madrid 28008
Spain
+34 91 588 2900 (Tourism Office) You just have to look at the number of people lying on the grass alongside the fountains or resting on the park benches to know this is a popular spot. The most prominent feature is the statue dedicated to Spain's most famous writer, Miguel de Cervantes, that depicts his two principal characters - Don Quijote and Sancho Panza. At Christmas time, the area towards Calle Princesa fills with stalls selling all types of gifts and decorative objects. You can't help but notice the two enormous mid-20th century skyscrapers here: El Edificio España and La Torre de Madrid.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Plaza de la Villa

Atmospheric medieval square La Casa de Cisneros
Madrid, Madrid 28005
Spain
It's surprising to find such a quiet spot in Madrid. This square doesn't seem to have been affected by the passage of time and it's easy to imagine yourself in a by-gone era. It's surrounded by 15th to 17th-century aristocratic mansions that have been taken over by the Town Hall. The Lujanes tower is one of the oldest buildings in the city and features impressive stone and brickwork and three coats-of-arms decorating the doorway. Benlliure's statue of Álvaro de Bazán, commander of the Spanish Armada, graces the centre of the square. You can take a walk from here through the old town.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Royal Palace

Impressive collection of furniture and paintings Calle de Bailén
Madrid, Madrid 28013
Spain
+34 91 547 5350
http://www.patrimonionacional.... This former royal residence houses a fantastic collection of paintings (Velázquez, Caravaggio and Goya), sculpture, furniture, tapestries, glassware, gold and silverware, medals, porcelain and musical instruments. It is well worth visiting the rooms decorated by Gasparini as well as the Royal Pharmacy, the Library, and the Royal Armoury. King Felipe V commissioned the Italian architect Sabatini to design the palace, and work was carried out betwween 1738-1770.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Sun Gate

Literally the centre of Spain Plaza Puerta del Sol
Madrid, Madrid 28013
Spain
Puerta del Sol (Sun Gate) is the most popular and commercial area in the old town. Five hundred years ago it was just another city gate with an image of the sun drawn on it, hence its name. Nowadays, the square is famous for being the center of the national road network. The plaque on the pavement outside the old Post Office building denotes 'kilometer 0'. The distance between Madrid and every other part of Spain is measured from here. Thousands of revelers gather in the square once a year to await the chimes of the clock that officially announces the New Year.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Toledo Bridge

The prettiest bridge in town Glorieta del Marqués de Vadillo
Madrid, Madrid 28019
Spain
+34 91 588 2900 (Tourism Office) The baroque shrines holding images of San Isidro and Santa María de la Cabeza make this nine-arched bridge over the River Manzanares the most attractive in Madrid. It's closed to traffic so you can enjoy walking over it in peace. If you head down from the Toledo gate, you'll find it between the Pirámides and Marqués de Vadillo roundabouts. It was built by Pedro de Ribera during the reign of Felipe V.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Bob @ Bridge Ink
Photo: Ashley Crawford
Photo: Francisc Stugren

Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Madrid - Historical Background"
Madrid
Madrid - Neighborhood Guide
Madrid - Where to Stay
Madrid - Dining & Drinking
Madrid - Art & Entertainment
Other nearby cities:
Toledo (81 miles)
Salamanca (160 miles)
Zaragoza (274 miles)
Bilbao (315 miles)
Valencia (325 miles)
Seville (403 miles)
Barcelona (509 miles)
Bordeaux (540 miles)
Montpellier (720 miles)
Marseille (826 miles)

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