| Madrid may have been full of life by 1200 | | | | contemporary Spanish art, the Museo Nacional |
| A.D. but it was not until 1979 that the | | | | Centro de Arte Reina Sofia is a crucial |
| capital city of Spain held its first free and | | | | visit. Once you have managed to overcome the |
| democratic elections. The tumultuous | | | | awe of Picasso's Guernica, make sure to |
| tribulations of the 20th century have left a | | | | explore the fascinating world of Spanish |
| distinct flavor about the art, attitude and | | | | photography, sculpture and film along with an |
| culture in Madrid. Visitors will find a | | | | incredible collection of Kandinsky, Miró |
| thriving and exuberant local population proud | | | | and DalÃ. Finally, take a journey through |
| and eager to share its resilient, if not | | | | royal Madrid at the Palacio Real. The |
| neglected, history with the world. | | | | 2800-room palace is no longer inhabited by |
| | | | the royal family, but the walls are lined |
| The modern heart and soul of Spain is central | | | | with elaborate frescos and original artwork |
| to the entire Iberian Peninsula, making | | | | by the likes of El Greco and Goya. Stop by |
| Madrid the ideal place to initiate your | | | | the two beautiful gardens and get your fix of |
| Spanish adventure. Madrid is also rich with | | | | ancient apothecary remedies in the Farmacia |
| Moorish heritage as it was a contentious | | | | Real. |
| battleground between the Islamic and | | | | |
| Christian Empires for much of the modern era. | | | | Madrid in Present Tense |
| A stroll through Barrio de la MorerÃa | | | | |
| (Moorish Quarter) invokes an essence of | | | | In Madrid it is easy to leave history behind |
| Medieval Madrid through ornate Islamic | | | | and become immersed in the boisterous |
| architecture and hidden plazas. The art and | | | | blooming lifestyle that fills the streets. |
| architecture of Madrid also speaks of the | | | | The pulse of Madrid's beating heart can be |
| temporary but influential Habsburg and | | | | found in the Plaza Mayor, the town square |
| Bourbon Rules. | | | | built in 1619 by Juan Gómez de Mora. |
| | | | Although it's unlikely you'll be able to |
| Museum Hop 'Til You Drop | | | | throw stones at heretics here anymore, |
| | | | console yourself with an alfresco drink and |
| Madrid is the internationally celebrated home | | | | pastry at one of the many cafes. For the |
| of Spain's most prominent art collections. | | | | resilient shopper, do not miss the Sunday |
| The Museo del Prado houses the world's | | | | Rastro flea market along the Calle de la |
| largest and most prized collection featuring | | | | Ribera de Curtidos, where bargain hunters and |
| over 8,600 master works by Velázquez, | | | | pack-rats alike will be in seventh heaven. |
| Goya, El Greco, Ribera, Raphael, Botticelli, | | | | |
| Fra Angélico, and Rembrandt, to name a | | | | Travel to Madrid for the perfect beginning to |
| few. Since 1819, the collection has been | | | | your Spanish vacation. Many captivating |
| moved twice - during the Spanish Civil War | | | | destinations lie just beyond the city, |
| and WWII - and has sustained immaculate | | | | including the world heritage town of Alcala |
| condition. The Prado is also a work of art in | | | | de Henares, the royal Aranjuez and the |
| its own right, designed by famed 18th century | | | | picturesque mountain town of Manzanares El |
| architect Juan de Villanueva. For the | | | | Real. |
| grandeur and curious intricacies of | | | | |