| Page Views: 2,730 Last Visit to Madrid: March, 2006 I Visit Here Frequently | MADRID -"MORE FIESTAS" by Birsen - last update: Jan 26, 2008 |
The capital of Spain, located in the heart of the peninsula and right in the center of the Castillian plain 646 meters above sea level, has a population of over three million. A cosmopolitan city, a business center, headquarters for the Public Administration, Government, Spanish Parliament and the home of the Spanish Royal Family, Madrid also plays a major role in both the banking and industrial sectors. Most of its industry is located in the Southern fringe of the city, where important textile, food and metal working factories are clustered. Madrid is characterized by intense cultural and artistic activity and a very lively nightlife. |
|  | History of Madrid Madrid conquered by Alfonso VI in 1085, but Madrid really started on the road to the city we know today when Charles?son, Phillip II, made it the capital of Spain in 1561.The city grew rapidly as the seat of government. With no navigable rivers leading to it, and with long and dusty roads between it and other population centers in Spain, the city focused very much on the crown and the court.
In the early 1700s, after the last Hapsburg king died without heir, a branch of the French royal Bourbon family took the thrown in Madrid. Bourbon Madrid includes the Palacio Real, the royal palace,l as well as the building that now houses the Prado museum.
Early in the 1800s, Napoleon placed his brother Joseph Bonaparte on the Spanish throne. Although in many ways a progressive and enlightened ruler, he was wildly unpopular, and in 1808 the city rose up against him.Dos de Mayo (2nd of May)is the festive for this day.
The twentieth century brought continued growth and modernization, until the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s. Battles raged just a few dozen blocks from downtown Madrid throughout the war. The city was held by the Republicans, and was attacked by the Nationalist forces under General Franco. Francos troops fired artillery shells into the city so regularly that the Gran Via became known as Howitzer Alley. |
Great Architecture The twentieth century brought continued growth and modernization, until the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s. Battles raged just a few dozen blocks from downtown Madrid throughout the war. The city was held by the Republicans, and was attacked by the Nationalist forces under General Franco.
Today Madrid is a modern European capital city. | | | Main Post Office Building |
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| Pros: | "Great city for going out!" | | Cons: | "Only is missing "sea"" |
Birsen's Madrid Travel Tips
 Comments for Birsen about Madrid | | | | |
Maria_75 Tue Sep 11, 2007 14:26 UTC
I cant wait to see you guys in Madrid next week! =D | scottishvisitor Tue Apr 4, 2006 20:55 UTC
Great info on Madrid - especially liked your helpful tip on phone calls!! It is a wonderful city - but as you say - no sea!! | willy_wonka Mon Jun 27, 2005 00:36 UTC
very helpful tips here birsen, and your photos are great too. spain is definitely a must see for me one day soon! cheers :-) | Redang Mon May 16, 2005 16:58 UTC
Me agrada saber que te gust´r mucho Madrid; tus páginas son muy buenas |
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