Madrid is the capital and largest city
in Spain. As the former
capital of the old Spanish Empire Madrid has been bestowed with a
degree of cultural predominance. Renowned museums such as Museo del
Prado, the Museo Reina Sofia, and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza are
major tourist attractions in the city. Other cultural highlights
include the Royal Palace of Madrid and the nearby royal monastery of
San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Following the restoration of democracy in
1975 and the integration to the European Union, Madrid has
experienced an increasing role in European finances making it one of
the most important Southern European cities. The residents of Madrid
are called madrileņos.
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Madrid - Spain
Tourist information & accommodation
B&B, Hotels and Hostels in Madrid
The Plaza Mayor is one of the most beautiful and emblematic urban areas in what is known as the Madrid of the House of Austria. It is located in the historical and commercial heart of the city. The Plaza is rectangular in shape and is surrounded by three-floored residential buildings. It has a total of nine entranceways. The Plaza Mayor was built during the Austrian period. Previously it was named the Plaza del Arrabal. The origins of the Plaza go back to 1581 when Felipe II told Juan de Herrera to devise a plan to remodel the busy and chaotic area of the old Plaza del Arrabal. Juan de Herrera was the architect who designed the first project in 1581 to remodel the old Plaza del Arrabal but the construction didn't start until 1617, during the Felipe III's reign. This king asked Juan Gomez de Mora to continue with the project, and he finished the porticoes in 1619. Nevertheless, the Plaza Mayor as we know it today is the work of the architect Juan de Villanueva who was entrusted with its reconstruction in 1790 after a spate of big fires. The Plaza Mayor has been the scene of multitudinous events: market, bullring and "actos de fe" against supposed heretics and the executions of those condemned to death. Under its porticoes there are some old and traditional shops. The statue of Felipe III on horseback in the centre of the square dates back to 1616. It is the work of Juan de Bolonia
Chueca
Chueca is among the most authentic and cosmopolitan neighbourhoods in the downtown city center. This district was the site of major urban decay during the early 1980s. However, later on during the decade it became one of the most active centres of the so-called 'La Movida', largely due to its new-found status as a popular gay village. It is quite attractive and it has many good and interesting places to eat, as well as some of Madrid's most avant garde fashion and shoe shops. There is a prominent gay infrastructure as well, often gay-owned and/or managed. A list of other popular gay and lesbian destinations world round world round has been included here