Historical attractions of Madrid

Madrid has more bars, nightclubs, and live music venues than any other European city, making it the top entertainment destination on the continent. It doesn't have as many historical attractions and monuments as Paris, London or Rome, but it is far from lacking intellectual stimulation. In Madrid you will come upon charming, century-old squares, historical sights and some remarkable museums, such as the so-called golden triangle - Thyssen Bornemizsa, Reina Sofia and the Prado Museum, the biggest art museum in the world. Thyssen Bornemizsa features one of the best collections of European art in the world, including works by Goya, Picasso and Delacroix. Its façade is an architectural highlight. Reina Sofia or the Queen Sofia Arts Centre is a famous gallery housing contemporary art - a diverse collection of masterpieces, produced in the last century. You will find everything from Solana to Picasso. As for the Prado, it hardly needs an introduction. King Charles III commissioned its construction in the late 1700s with the aim to provide Madrid with a high-calibre monument. This was part of the monarch's plan to bring up Madrid on a par with other advanced, cosmopolitan cities in Europe. He placed an emphasis on Prado de los Jeronimos, a shrine behind the museum. The museum was named after this site. Its interior is characterized by lofty domes and sunlit edifices. Today Prado exhibits 2000 paintings, with another 8600 in storage. The ones displayed include masterpieces by Raphael, El Greco, Goya and Rubens.
Parque del Buen Retiro is located behind the Prado. You can enjoy a pleasant day by visiting the museum and taking a relaxing stroll in this lush green paradise afterwards. In the distant past the park was located on the outskirts of Madrid. Buen Retiro means pleasant retreat. You will find the Estanque, the original lake of the park, at the center. Boats are available for rent here, and tourists often choose to drift gently on the lake over an entire afternoon. Puerta de Alcalá is located in the northern part of the park. It was commissioned by King Carlos III in the late 18th century with the purpose to improve the appearance of eastern Madrid. Today it is a symbol of this part of the city. Retiro has many monuments, but one in particular merits special attention. This is El Angel Caído or Fallen Angel, the only statue of the devil in Europe.
A tour of Madrid's historical attractions would be incomplete without Puerta del Sol. This lovely square is surrounded by 19th-century buildings and has many great cafés, bars and restaurants. Its name means Sun Gate. It was once a city gate in the wall around Madrid. The gate was adorned with a rising sun, which is how it received its name. It faced due east. The square is bordered by Palacio Real (Royal Palace) to the southwest. This is the biggest palace in Western Europe, covering an area of 135 000 square metres. A little further you will come upon the historical Opera House (Teatro Real) and the main square of Madrid (Plaza Mayor). This is a charming, ancient, cobbled courtyard that enchants most tourists.
Gran Vía is often considered the backbone of Madrid. 20th century buildings of all varieties line this long, noisy, and lively street. These were constructed during the regime of Franco. You will see all sorts of architecture - art deco, art nouveau, neo-baroque and more.
Two historical districts of Madrid are La Latina and Madrid de los Austrias. They are adjacent. Narrow, spiralling streets typify la Latina, also known as the Rastro. The origins of Madrid lie in this area. However, it was named after the huge Rastro flea market. Be wary of pickpockets in this part of the district. Madrid de los Austrias, named after the Austrian Hapsburg dynasty, is characterized by cobbled, winding lanes, iron-wrought terraces and old buildings, which seem to float in midair. A visit to this district is like travelling back in time.
Two other popular destinations are Palacio de Santa Cruz and the fascinating Monasterio de El Escorial complex. The Santa Cruz was the prison of Old Madrid. It has a remarkable façade, inner patios and towers. Among the famous inmates in the 17th century were outlaw Luis Candelas and playwright Lope de Vega. Today it is the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and unfortunately isn't open for visitation. Monasterio de El Escorial has three sectors - the palace, the royal sepulchre and the abbey. Works by Claudio Coello, El Greco and Titian adorn the palace walls. The interior features beautiful century-old furniture. The palace houses an art and architecture museum and a library with an interesting collection of historical manuscripts.