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Madrid Hotels
Madrid. Whether you are looking for culture, art, nightlife or food, Madrid has its all in abundance. After many years of totalitarism, Madrid has returned to the world stage with a modern vibrant city where many echoes of majestic past can still be found.
From its origin as a fortress town for the Moors in the 9Th century, Madrid was neglected until the Hapsburgs made it the capital in 1651. As the highest capital Europe, Madrid lies under clear blue skies most of the year round.
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| Madrid
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Palacio de Oriente |
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The old town is situated between the Royal Palace (Palacio Real) and Parque del Retiro and from between Lavapies to the south and Glorieta de Bilboa in the north. In the centre is Puerta del Sol where kilometre 0 is situated. This is the point from where all distances in Spain are measured.
Nearby is Plaza Mayor one of Europe’s largest and most spectacular squares which has been the site of autos-de-fe (public burnings), executions, royal marriages, balls and bullfights. Today is much quieter but still a place where fairs, bazaars and performances can be found. It’s a great place to watch the world go past while searching for the bars which run into caves below the square and where Hemmingway spent his time.
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Plaza España |
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A more popular spot is Plaza Santa Ana is great for Tapas and to feel the vibrancy of this city.
Others things to do include seeing the place where Cervantes the writer lived, visiting an inquisition jail situated in the old Jewish quarter of Lavapies, going to the flea market at El Rastro or maybe just enjoying the beautiful architecture of the city.
If you are into sport there is always the opportunity to see a bullfight at Ventas. For the less squeamish you can watch Real Madrid play soccer with their team of superstars at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
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Museo del Prado |
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You may even see Victoria and David Beckham out shopping between Puerto del Sol and Gran Via. However the more exclusive shopping can be found on Calle Serrano.
Fortunately for the visitor to the Spanish capital the majority of art museums are situated along the Paseo del Prado. So it’s a quick walk between sites. However each museum is so large that time will pass too quickly.
The Prado Museum which is free on Saturday afternoons and Sunday offers one of the best and most collections of art by Goya, Velázquez and El Greco as well as masterpieces by French, Dutch, German and Italian artists.
Further works by el Greco, Goya, Murillo and Bosch can be found at Lazaro Galdiano Museum which can be found on Calle Serrano.
Equally important is the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum which traces the history of western art from 13th Italian gothic through to 20th American pop art. It includes works by Pissarro, Renoir, Monet, Degas, van Gogh, Cezanne, Dali and Lichtenstein.
More modern art can be found at Centro de Arte Reina Sofia which focuses on Spain modern masters with collections by Dali, Picasso and Miro. |
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© 2008 Booking on Line, S.L. - Princesa, 29, 4° derecha - 28008 Madrid - Spain
C.I.C.M.A. Travel Agency License Number 1214
Agencias de viajes
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