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1. Plaza Mayor

It is undoubtedly the most beautiful square in Madrid, for its harmony and the proportion of their houses, which form its structure.

In 1617 Philip III commissioned the completion of the work of Juan Gómez de Mora, which would end in 1619. Almost thirty years before his party emerged as the first building north of the plaza, the Casa de la Panaderia, the work of Diego Sillero. It had rooms for the kings on the main floor and sale of bread on the ground floor. In front of it and on the south side of the square, the Butcher's House, for the sale of meat. Both buildings have seen various destinations unique in its history.

The square has suffered several large fires. The first one in 1631, Diego Sillero are themselves responsible for its reconstruction. The most significantly in 1790 and destroyed nearly half of the buildings, Juan de Villanueva would be responsible for reconstruction in this case. We proceeded to the closure of the corners, arched opening access and lowering the height of their houses from five to three heights. The work lasted a long time, dying in the meantime Villanueva and his disciples continued the reconstruction to completion in 1854.

The square has been the scene of many of the pages of Spanish history, from the festivities for the beatification of San Isidro in 1620 until the king's proclamations, orders or executions of faith, not to mention the festivals of bulls and reeds.

In 1848, Mesonero Romans asked Elizabeth II Square placement of an equestrian statue of Philip III, who at that time was in the Casa de Campo and that was the work of Giambologna and Tacca Pedro.

The Plaza Mayor has also undergone several renovations over the years. The last one happened in the sixties of the last century. It effected the closure of traffic and created an underground parking. In 1992 was held a new decoration of the facade of the Casa de la Panaderia, the work of Carlos Franco.

The dimensions of the Plaza are as follows: 129 feet long by 94 meters wide. Close the rectangle a house on three levels with two hundred thirty-seven balconies overlooking the square and colonnade supported by pillars of granite. These arcades have been home to many traditional businesses. Currently dominate the hospitality industry.

2. Arch Cuchilleros

The Cutlers arch is the most famous of the nine gates of the Plaza Mayor of Madrid (Spain) and is situated in the southwest corner of the square. The considerable height of this arch is due to the large gap between the Plaza Mayor and the Cava de San Miguel.

The arc of Cutlers is by Juan de Villanueva, who after the fire in the Plaza Mayor in 1790, enabling the square completely closed a number of arcades for access.

The origin of its name is on the street Cuchilleros to which outputs, and which formerly were located knife-makers guild workshops, supplying its goods to butchers' guild located within the square.

Currently, both the Plaza Mayor, as the bow and Cuchilleros street, is a leading tourist attraction in the capital of Spain were located in them many typical restaurants and bars. These may include the restaurant Botin Sobrino, "which appears in the Guinness Book of Records for being the oldest restaurant in the world, since it was founded in 1725.

3. Mercado de San Miguel

El Mercado de San Miguel is a historical and monumental, full of literary reminiscences. Located in the heart of Madrid castizo, is in the area of greatest personality of the city and best commercial, cultural and leisure activities.

He is now writing a new chapter in its history with the aim of bringing together the best merchants, professionals, experts and enthusiasts in their respective specialties. They are those whose supply justifies the trip to downtown Madrid, but without abandoning its traditional market-oriented, focused on daily shopping.
An offer linked to the quality, freshness and seasonality of foods, responding to recent interest in cuisine that has become a genuine cultural event. El Mercado de San Miguel seeks to become a Culinary Culture Center, where the protagonist is the product, and where they have active presence all the major facts and events of the universe of food. A meeting place, run the client, the professional, the gourmand, which seeks information and advice. A place where, in addition to the daily purchase, you can participate in activities, enjoy what you are going to take home or simply taking a walk or something.

A traditional market with the advantages of the new times.

4. Plaza de la Villa

Located next to Main Street, forms its northern face. It is home to three small streets for the early medieval streets of the city: the elbow is in the east, the Cord to the south and the west of Madrid.

In its outline are the main facades of three buildings of great historical and artistic value, raised in different centuries. The oldest is the House and Tower Lujanes (fifteenth century), built in Gothic-Mudejar style, which is located on the eastern side of the square.

Next in antiquity the Casa de Cisneros (sixteenth century), a palace plateresque closing the southern part of the enclosure, and the Casa de la Villa (seventeenth century), Baroque, one of the headquarters of the Municipality of Madrid, located in the western area of the square.
The Plaza de la Villa was one of the principal centers of medieval Madrid, given its location midway between the door of Guadalajara and the de la Vega, two of the most important entrances of the city during the Middle Ages.

Formerly known as Plaza de San Salvador, the church of the same name that stood on Main Street in the portico of which were held Town Hall meetings, and today is remembered by a plaque located on the site stood the temple (about the number 70 of that track).

In the fifteenth century, the Plaza de la Villa adopted its current name in conjunction with the granting of the title of Noble and Loyal Villa received by Madrid, from King Henry IV of Castile (1425-1474).

5. Almudena Cathedral

The Cathedral of Santa Maria la Real de La Almudena is the episcopal see of the diocese of Madrid (Spain). It is a temple of 102 meters long and 73 tall with a mixture of different styles: neoclassical abroad, Gothic and neo-Romanesque inside the crypt.

It was consecrated by Pope John Paul II on his fourth trip to Spain, 15 June 1993. Spanish is the first cathedral consecrated by a pope and the first consecrated by Pope John Paul II outside Rome.

It is located in the downtown. The main facade overlooks the Armory Square, opposite the Royal Palace in Madrid. A side door is reached by the street dance and the crypt, from the High Street. Unlike other cathedrals, with an east-west, the Almudena has a north-south orientation, resulting from its conception as an integral part of all the Royal Palace. It is built in stone Novelda (Alicante) and granite from quarries in Colmenar Viejo (Madrid).

The origins of the Almudena Cathedral can be in the little church of Santa Maria de la Almudena late medieval origin and is located a few meters from the current cathedral. For centuries there were attempts to introduce greater grandeur to the said parish, attempts became more intense with the gain in importance of the empire and its capital. According to a 1567 report, "for the universal good of the village and its land, imports and has a great need to make it a cathedral and Bishop's head." Another powerful reason was the absence of bishopric in Madrid, the capital belonged to the Archdiocese of Toledo and the archdiocese of the imperial city was always opposed to the segregation of the capital of the diocese of Toledo. Thus, we aimed to extend and rebuild the little church of Santa Maria until his death in 1868, when it finally became necessary to build a cathedral to house the cult of the patron saint of the city. On April 4, 1883 King Alfonso XII laid the foundation stone of the new building would be the future cathedral of Madrid, on land that, through Queen Mercedes, devoted to the Virgin of the Almudena, are transferred by Royal Heritage in 1879. Ultimate accolade for the building would be the creation of the Diocese of Madrid-Alcala, by papal decree given by Leo XIII. While building the cathedral, the former Jesuit church of Imperial College, which at that time was considered a collegiate church, under the patronage of Saint Isidore, became the cathedral church of the diocese. In 1964, Casimiro Morcillo received the title of Archbishop-Bishop, but within the metropolitan province of Toledo. Nuerte It was not until the latter, in 1971, when Cardinal Headquarters Tarancón left Toledo to fill the Madrid-Alcalá, with the rank of archdiocese. This was renamed achidiócesis Archdiocese of Madrid in 1991, with the restoration of the diocese of Alcala de Henares.

The Marques de Cubas, in charge of the project, revised its original plan as a parish church an imposing neo-Gothic cathedral proposing following the prevailing fashion in Europe under the influence of Viollet-le-Duc. Work began on the vault, built in neo-Romanesque style, with access from the Cuesta de la Vega and not opened for worship until 1911, when completed by Enrique Maria Repullés and Vargas. At the same time the first pillars were erected, but jobs were virtually deserted until 1950, when Fernando Chueca Goitia and Carlos Sidro win the competition for the completion of works. The appearance of the temple would change because, although maintaining the original project gothic style to the interior of the cathedral, the exterior would now neoclassical, this being the aspect that remains today: thus, the cathedral would integrate with the environment, also neoclassical Royal Palace.

The work continued until his suspension in 1965 due to the lack of funding and support from City Hall. It took almost twenty years until, in 1984, created a Board, which won the support of public institutions (including the council and the Government of Spain, both in the hands of politicians from left) and closed to complete construction. The cathedral was consecrated by Pope John Paul II on 15 June 1993, taking over from the collegiate church of San Isidro, which had been the provisional cathedral in Madrid since 1885.

In 2005 he opened an exhibition on the Immaculate and Spain, organized by the Fundación Las Edades del Hombre. On 22 May 2004 was the scene of the wedding of the Prince of Asturias, Don Felipe with the journalist Letizia Ortiz, this being the first wedding held in the history of the cathedral.

6. Arab Wall

The Muslim wall of Madrid, which preserves some vestiges, is in the Spanish city of the same name. It was built in the ninth century, during the Muslim domination of the Iberian Peninsula, on a promontory on the river Manzanares. It was part of a fortress, around which it developed the town of Madrid. It was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1954.

The remains of paramount importance, with more archaeological than artistic interest, are in the Cuesta de la Vega, along with the crypt of the Cathedral of the Almudena. They have been integrated into the park Mohamed I, named in reference to Muhammad I of Córdoba, considered the founder of the city.

In the main street, at number 83, next to the viaduct that bridges the Calle de Segovia, they stand the ruins of the Tower of Narigués, which must have been a watchtower, with a separate location of the wall itself, but connected to it through a wall. Their function was to serve as a butte.

In the twentieth century, some remains were destroyed. The existing canvas at number 12 rue de Bailen were lost with the construction of a block of flats, although some walls were integrated into the building structure at the bottom. The refurbishment of the Plaza de Oriente, completed in 1996 during the tenure of Jose Maria Alvarez del Manzano, meant the discovery and subsequent disappearance of many remains. Not the case of the lookout tower known as Bones, whose base is displayed in the underground parking lot of that place.

Between 1999 and 2000, was uncovered another tranche of about 70 m long, in the Armory Square, formed by the main facades of the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral. It was excavated during the construction of the Royal Collections Museum (unfinished) and may correspond to the Puerta de la Sagra, one of the entrances to the walled enclosure.

7. Palacio de Abrantes

It was built between 1653 and 1655 by architect John Maza, as commissioned by Don Juan de Valencia Infante, who had previously acquired five houses on Main Street for that purpose. The original building was a beautiful palace flanked by two towers with steeple facing the street and Almudena Factor, respectively.

Subsequently, the building was successively changing hands in 1656 was bought by D. Antonio de Valdes y Ossorio, Knight of the Order of Alcantara in 1669 it acquired the Marquis de Alcañices, and for much of the eighteenth century belonged to the family of the Caves and Pacheco.

In 1842 the Dukes of Abrantes bought and commissioned a major refurbishment of the palace by the architect Aníbal Álvarez Bouquel, in order to condition it to the aristocratic tastes of mid-nineteenth century. After the reform, the facade presented new openings on the balconies and a new front door.

With the restoration of Alfonso XII in late 1874, and to avoid possible retaliation, the Duke of Abrantes was forced to get rid of the palace, since her son, Angel de Carvajal y Fernandez de Cordoba, Marquis of Sardoal, was very active against monarchy Elizabeth II during the years of the revolution of 1868, which became Mayor of Madrid.

He then went on to ownership of progressive senator Manuel María de Santa Anna, who settled in the palace headquarters of the newspaper "The Correspondence of Spain", a role that continued to serve until in 1888 the paper's owners sold the building for the Italian Government to establish its embassy there. He then proceeded to perform a new reform under the leadership of architect Luis Sanz, in which the towers were demolished, opened the rear facade and the paintings were done on the upper floor of the main facade. In sum, the palace took its current appearance.

In 1939, after being occupied during the Civil War by the Italian battalions of the International Brigades, the Italian embassy was moved to the palace of the Marquis de Amboage, on Calle Juan Bravo, leaving the Palacio de Abrantes since then as the seat Italian Cultural Institute.

8. St Nicholas Church of the Servite

Appointed in 1202 as the Jurisdiction of one of the parishes of the city, rivals the now defunct Our Lady of Almudena to be the oldest church in Madrid. Given their location and preserved archaeological remains, some say it may be a mosque, although it is likely that its construction date of the twelfth century, since the tower was declared a national monument in 1931 and located south of the building, has all the characteristics of being a steeple Mudejar time.

In the settlement of 1805, St. Nicholas parish lost the range in favor of neighboring El Salvador, leaving the abandoned building until 1825 was given to the congregation of the Third Order of Servite, who restored and fitted the temple. In 1842, following the demolition of the parish of El Salvador, he returned to St. Nicholas parish.

So things remained until the settlement of 1891 he relocated to the parish church had been the hospital of Anton Martin in calle Atocha, now the parish church of El Salvador and San Nicolas, leaving the old building as a church of San Nicholas from Servite, the name by which it is now known.

As for the building, given its age, has undergone numerous restorations that have conditioned its current appearance. Raised on a three naves, its interior boasts beautiful Mudejar the header and the nave. The most interesting feature of this temple is undoubtedly its tower, which as mentioned earlier twelfth century, except the typical spire that tops Madrid, made during the eighteenth century. It also highlights the Baroque doorway, where we can see a relief depicting St. Nicholas, by Luis Salvador Carmona.

9. Royal Palace

Royal abode from Charles III to Alfonso XIII, visit the Royal Palace of Madrid is a journey through the history of Spain. Although it is inhabited by the current monarch, the compound is the official residence of the kings of Spain and has one of the armories in the world. In addition, every Wednesday celebrated the dramatic change of the Royal Guard

Long before Madrid was the capital of Spain, the Emir Mohamed I built in Magerit (Arabic name of the city) Toledo a fortress to defend the progress of the Christians. This building was used in any way by the kings of Castile until the fourteenth century became what is known as the Old Fortress. Charles I and his son Philip II are the drivers of the transformation, converting the property into a permanent home of the monarchs. But in 1734 a fire razed the palace of the Habsburgs and their remains Felipe V ordered the construction of a new compound.

But first it instructs Filippo Juvara, he dies and be your disciple, Juan Bautista Sacchetti, who will carry out the final plans. Pass seventeen years since you put the first stone in 1738 until they finish the work commissioned by Philip V. But it will be Charles III, known by the nickname "king mayor" by the many reforms and initiatives developed in the city, the first monarch to live in the new building and caregiver to complete the decoration, that will be provided by Sabatini, finishing shaping the Palace of the Bourbons. His successor, Carlos IV - to whom we owe the creation of the Hall of Mirrors and Fernando VII, added to the character set of decorative objects like clocks, furniture, chandeliers or candelabras.

During the nineteenth century incorporates elements that stand out for its modernity and which cause some deterioration decorative. This applies to the placement of wallpaper, which requires removing some pictures on the walls of the palace and assign to the Prado Museum. The last monarch to use the property as a main residence will be Alfonso XIII and Victoria Eugenia.

In a square, the building, inspired by sketches made by Bernini for the construction of the Louvre in Paris, is built around a courtyard surrounded by a portico, a gallery and a square. Over six floors of various rooms are distributed, taking exit to the exterior facade only the most relevant.

The main entrance to the palace is situated on the side facing the Plaza de Armas, a large esplanade that, despite being fenced, connected with the entrance of Almudena Cathedral. This is a perfect space for military parades, whether of the Royal Guard as the Army, before which the king reviewed. The west side stands across from the gardens of Campo del Moro, while the east, bordering Bailen street, overlooking the Plaza de Oriente.

Understated but great, the exterior architecture boasts the Royal Palace with its decoration based on columns, cornices, moldings, and a balustrade that concludes in its top. Among the many windows that break the facades, balconies emphasize that correspond to stay representative. Thus, the Throne Room is clearly identified in the main facade as it is surrounded by four large columns. For its part, the west front balcony looks the Dining Room while the Daily Dining Room overlooking the Plaza de Oriente. The north face of the enclosure corresponds to the chapel, so it has no balcony.

10. Teatro Real

The Teatro Real is the opera house in Madrid and is considered one of the most important of Spain, being remarkable the regular presence of the Spanish Royal Family in their representations. Situated at the Plaza de Oriente, across from the Palace, and is one of the most important monuments of the city.

Queen Elizabeth II in Madrid promoted the construction of an opera house to accommodate the court. For this task, the crown gave the site of the Cano del Peral, in the Plaza de Oriente, however numerous political events halted the project until May 7, 1850, a Royal Order promotes the works of theater and requires be completed within six months.

The architects were Don Antonio Lopez Aguado and Don Custodio Moreno, responsible for creating a magnificent building with irregular hexagonal shape. Its main facade would look at the Plaza de Oriente and the other, smaller packaging, would be on the Plaza de Isabel II.

In the interior decoration and decorators worked the most important artists of the era as Bravo, Tegea and Lucar. Apart from the theatrical arena, there were two ballrooms, three meeting rooms, a tearoom, a café, a dresser and wardrobe. All these amenities were copying large European theaters like the San Carlo in Naples and La Scala in Milan.

The theater was inaugurated on 10 October 1850, coinciding with the birthday of the sovereign. The work chosen was the favorite, Donizetti and acted renowned artists such as soprano Alboni or conductor Michel Rochelle.