Five things to do in Madrid
January 24, 1606 it was announced the transfer of the capital of Spain from Valladolid to Madrid. In honor of this date, we will talk about things that have to do any tourist in Madrid.
Photographed against a gateway to Europe
Not only one art history so glorious Madrid. In 1994, in the city center, on the area of Castile, Spanish rose the twin towers – two leaning towers, dubbed the Gateway to Europe. Unique 26-storey tower, designed by the company “ECC”, inclined at an angle of 15 degrees. They seem to stretch, but still can not touch each other. On the roofs of the towers are helipads for convenience and differences painted in different colors: the right – in red, and the left – in blue. With the creation of the first on the planet ‘failing’ skyscrapers and related scandal: after construction against the Catalan businessman Javier de la Rosa was prosecuted on charges of embezzling 375 million euros, the company-owned developer. Yet distinctive design immediately became landmark Madrid and is actively used in its cultural life: here are the major holidays, is the main Christmas tree in Spain, arranged all sorts of installation.
See Titian and Bosch at the National Museum of the Prado
One of the largest museums in the world, is considered a symbol of Spain and Madrid’s jewel, opened its doors in 1819. Since then, the Royal Museum of Painting and Sculpture has changed beyond recognition: a modest collection of 311 paintings grew to such an impressive collection of masterpieces recognized that in order to fit it all, it would increase the Prado 4 times. The total exhibition area of the main picture gallery in Spain, located in a luxurious 18th-century architectural monument, built as a home for the Natural Sciences of King Charles the Third master Juan de Villanueva, is about 58,000 square meters. The museum collection is the most complete collection of works by the great masters of Spanish, Flemish and Italian painting: Velazquez, El Greco, Goya, Titian, Botticelli, Bosch, Raphael and Murillo. National Museum of the Prado, not working only three days a year, actively combines cultural, educational and restoration activity: thanks to the efforts of its employees have been saved a lot of great works of art.
Watch the match at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
Until 1955 the main football arena famous Italian football club “Real Madrid” was named Nuevo Chamartin. The second largest stadium in Spain was opened in December 1947 and since then has witnessed a huge number of dazzling victories and defeats ruthless. Here were the final matches of the European Championship in 1964 and the World Cup in 1982, and the final match of the European cup Cup del Rey. A lot has changed in the stadium for the 66-year history: a modest arena, which numbered 47,500 standing places and less than half the seating, survived many renovations have turned it into a five-star stadium by UEFA. Modern Santiago Bernabeu is 106 meters in length, 70 in width, has a VIP-lodges, fashionable restaurants, true sports bars, panoramic elevators, high-quality audio system, a new scoreboard and bleachers even heated. In the days off matches are held here tours for football fans, allowing not only to assess the magnitude of the main playground of Spain, but also to see firsthand training favorite “Real”.
Go through the Plaza of Spain
Almost any Spanish city there with a proud name Plaza Plaza Espana. Madrid Plaza de Espana, though not the main area of the Spanish capital, yet deservedly recognized as one of the most beautiful and significant historic parts of Madrid. That only she’d seen: in the 16th century there were gardens, 17 appeared monastery, 19 – barracks Joseph Bonaparte. Only in the 20th century, Spain was the same size, what we see today. As the guard tower over the Plaza, stretched 36.9 thousand meters, two character country skyscrapers: the eighth largest in the capital, 117-meter skyscraper “Spain”, located on the reconstruction, and once the highest building of Europe – 142-meter tower Madrid. In the Plaza de España is one of the few representatives of the Madrid Nouveau – Casa Gaillarde, created in the early 20th century Federico Arias Rhea, and opposite it is the building that once belonged to Asturian shahtennoy company. Center of the ensemble is a monument of the Plaza of Spain, Miguel Cervantes, built on donations from people in all Spanish-speaking countries.
Get lost in the Royal Palace
First arrived in Madrid, any self-respecting tourist must visit the Royal Palace, since 1964 serving the official residence of the Spanish monarchs. Grand Palace, built on the site of an earlier Muslim Alcazar in Spanish baroque, covers 6 floors and crisp white exterior is lined with marble. Do not believe your eyes: it would be more in the most improbable assumptions. Oriental palace has about three and a half thousand interior, the most famous of which are luxurious and the Throne Hall of Columns of the official, the walls of which Spain became part of the European Union. Royal residence affects grandeur and wealth: its ceilings decorated with frescoes Dzhakinto, Tiepolo and Mengs, and the walls – masterpieces by Rubens, Goya, Caravaggio, El Greco and Velazquez. Open to the public and the Armory, which presents the greatest collection of guns and armor belonging to members of royal families. Located west of the palace favorite vacation spot guests alike – English park in the Campo del Moro, once seen many feasts, tournaments and hunting pleasures.
