Madrid, Spain - July 1995
- chrissihuf
- Jul 16
- 2 min read
Brief History/Information
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. Madrid began as a small fortified settlement established by Muslim rulers of Al-Andalus around the 9th century. The fortress, called Mayrit, was built to protect the region from northern Christian kingdoms. In 1561, King Philip II moved the royal court from Toledo to Madrid.
What we did
We took the train from Paris to Madrid. Got to see some beautiful countryside along the way. Arrived in Madrid at about 9:15 in the morning. Then we took a taxi to our hotel and checked in. We walked through the Plaza de España Park to Royal Palace of Madrid, which is the palace that is still used today for royalty. We left and went to the church across from the palace (Almudena Cathedral) and went inside and they were having a mass because it was Sunday.
Major Attractions
Royal Palace of Madrid - It sits directly across the Plaza de la Armería. The massive building was built from 1883 to 1993.
Reina Sofía Museum: a modern art museum famous for housing Pablo Picasso’s anti-war masterpiece, Guernica.
Plaza Mayor: Grab a coffee or a famous bocadillo de calamares (squid sandwich) at one of the terrace cafes in this grand, arcaded 17th-century square.
Retiro Park: Once owned by the Spanish Monarchy, this massive 125-hectare park features boating lakes, the stunning Crystal Palace, and beautifully manicured rose gardens.
La Latina: Wander through the winding medieval streets of this neighborhood, widely regarded as the absolute best area for traditional Spanish tapas, especially along Calle Cava Baja.
Gran Vía: Take a walk down this bustling, central thoroughfare, known for its incredible 20th-century architecture, theaters, and high-end shopping.
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