MADRID - LOCATIONS OF INTEREST

Madrid City Features

Azca
Azca - Surrounding - (4)
Created as from 1969 this is the new centre of commercial Madrid and also a location for exhibitions. Close on hand is the Estadio Santiago Bernabeú Staduim and home of Real Madrid Football.

Calle de Serrano
Calle de Serrano - Castellana Area - (3)
This street is famous for its fine shops specializing in luxury items of all types.

Gran Via
Gran Via - Old Madrid - (1) Bourbon Area - (2) Castellana Area (3)
Created in the 20th Century from mainly a slum area shows a mixture of different architectural styles. The main street is lined with shops, restaurants, cinemas and hotels.

La Latina & Lavapiés Districts
Plaza de Puerto de Moros - Old Madrid - (1)
An old part of the city which is associated with the older culture of what was termed "the working class". Narrow steep streets with tall narrow houses reflect the character of these districts.

Mercado de San Miguel
Plaza de San Miguel - Old Madrid - (1)
Although Madrid has today bigger and better markets this one is the only one still remaining from the period when they were constructed with iron. 

Plaza del Callao
Plaza del Callao - Old Madrid - (1)
Although Madrid has over 60 cinemas this is the heart with seven important locations in which major films are first exhibited.

Plaza del Cibeles
Plaza de Cibeles - Bourbon Area - (2)
This attractive square features a beautiful sculture and fountains that have been adopted as a symbol for the city. Around the square are located some of the most important buildings in Madrid.

Plaza de Colón
Plaza de Colón - Castellana Area - (3)
The square freatures a modern sculpture nd a neo-gothic spire style both honouring Christopher Columbus. 

Plaza Mayor
Plaza Mayor - Old Madrid - (1)
The buildings surrounding this square create its character. Dating from 1617 the square was designed by the same architect as the El Escorial Palace. The square in its past was used for bullfights, pageants, executions and the public application of the Spainish Inquisition.

Plaza de la Villa
Plaza de la Villa - Old Madrid - (1)
Facades of the buildings surrounding this square have been restored or remolded. The Torre de los Lujunes dates back to the 15th Century and it was used for the imprisonment of King Francois I of France in 1525. The Town Hall which imposes its presence on the square was constructed in the 17th Century.

Puerto de Alcalá
Plaza de Independencia - Bourbon Area - (2)
Completed in 1778 this ceromonial structure was ordered by Carlos III.

Puerto del Sol
Plaza de Puerto del Sol - Old Madrid - (1)
Noisy with constant traffic this square has played a significant role in Spanish history. It is considered the centre of Spain and all measurements radiate out from the Kilometer Zero plaque in the centre of the square. On the strokes of midnight on New Year's Eve the inhabitants of Madrid throng the square and swallow a grape on each stroke to bring them luck!

Puerto de Toledo
Glorieta de Puerto de Toledo - Surrounding - (4)
The square is dominated by a triumphant arc ordered in 1813 by José I but due to fleeing back to France in 1814 it was later dedicated to fernando VII in 1827.

Sala del Canal de Isable II
Calle de Santa Engracia, 125 - Surrounding - (4)
The main feature of the headquarters of Madrid's watrer system is a water tower that has been restored in 1985 to provide an architectural sight!

Palaces of Importance in Madrid

Palacio de Fernán Núñez
Calle de Santa Isabel, 44 - Bourbon Area - (2)
914 548 800
The modest exterior belies the wealth that lies behind its facade. Built in 1847 for the Duke and Duchess of Fernán Núñez it remained in the family until 1936 when it was taken over by the State as a bomb shelter and home for the Socialist Youth Party. After the Civil War ended it was handed back and to the amazement of the Duke it has been carefully preserved. In 1941 the palace was sold and purchased by the Spanish State Railway.

Open from 09.00 to 18.00 hrs. Sunday from 09.00 to 13.00 hrs. Hours adjust to season.

Palacio de Linares
Paseo de Recoletas, 2 - Bourbon Area - (2)
915 160 600
Originally the home of the Marqués de Linares a very rich banker under Amedeo I of Savoy. The Marqués built a lavious and richly embellished palace which later fell into neglect after his death. Happily the State acquired the palace in 1977 and have restored it to its previous splendour.

Closed to the public.

Palacio de Liria
Calle de la Princesa, 20 - Castellana Area - (3)
915 475 302
Built in 1780 for the Duke and Duchess of Alba this palace has been much restored over the centuries. It remains still today in the Alba family possessions and has an interesting art collection with major works by major artists.

Viewing only by appointment.

Palacio de Santa Cruz
Plaza de Santa Cruz - Old Madrid - (1)
913 799 700
Construction of this building finished in 1643 and it remains as a fine example of Habsburg architecture. Used as a prison during centuries for many famous Spanish characters and now housing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It has been restored after a fire in 1846 and also the Civil War.

Visiting only by appointment by writing one month in advance

Palacio Real
Calle de Bailén - Old Madrid - (1)
914 548 800
Originally a fortress it was rebuilt as a palace by Felipe V after a fire in 1734 devasted the original structure. As a Royal Palace the oustanding features are the dinning room, Gasparino rooms, the procelin room and the Throne room.

Open from 09.00 to 18.00 hrs. Sunday from 09.00 to 13.00 hrs. Hours adjust to season.

Palacio de Senado
Plaza de la Marina Española - Castellana Area - (3)
915 381 000
This palace is the seat of the Parliament of Spain. It was originally constructed as a monastery in the 16th Century and later adapted in 1814 fore its present use. In 1991 a granite and glass addition was 
to the rea of the building.

Visiting only by prior appointment.

Religious Locations in Madrid

Básilica Pontífica de San Miquel
Calle de San Justo, 4 - Old Madrid - (1)
915 480 011
Built in the 18th Century for Don Luis de Borbón y Faarnesio, the youngest son of Felipe V who was at the age of five the Archbishop of Toledo.

Open from 10.00 to 14.00 hrs. and from 17.30 to 21.00 hrs. Sunday from 18.00 to 21.00 hrs.

Básilica de San Francisco el Grande
Plaza de San Francisco - Old Madrid - (1)
913 653 800
It is rumoured that this basilica was constructed over a site of a convent estbalised by Sant Francis of Assisi in 1217. It has had a chequered history and was at one time used as an army barracks. It was handed back to the Franscian Order in 1926 who have returned it to some of its previous glory.

Open from Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday at 10.30 to 12.45 hrs. Friday from 10.30 to 12.45 hrs. Sunday from 11.00 to 13.45 hrs.

Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida
Glorieta de San Antonio de la Florida - Surrounding - (4)
915 420 722
The cupola of this church was mainly painted by Francisco Goya in 1798. It is an impressive an large work and considered by many as one of his best works.

Open from 10.00 to 14.00 hrs, and 16.00 to 20.00 hrs. Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 to 14.00 hrs.

Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales
Calle de San Justo, 4 - Old Madrid - (1)
914 548 800
Constructed in the 16th Century this monastery can be considered as the finest religious building in the city. Queen Juna in 1560 converted a medieval palace into a convent for her nuns from aristocratic families. One of the results of its beginning ia its impressive collection of period art.

Open from Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday at 10.30 to 12.45 hrs. Friday from 10.30 to 12.45 hrs. Sunday from 11.00 to 13.45 hrs.

Monasterio de la Encarnación
Plaza de la Encarnación - Old Madrid - (1)
915 470 510
A convent founded in 1611 for the Queen Margaret of Austria the wife of Felipe III. The reliquary chamber in which the bones of saints are stored competes as an atraction to its art collection.

Open from Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday at 10.30 to 12.45 hrs. Friday from 10.30 to 12.45 hrs. Sunday from 11.00 to 13.45 hrs.

Other Locations

Parque Mágico
Paseo Virgen del Puerto
913 656 171
A Park Park with inflated castles, small trains, boats and cars to drive, all for young children.

Open daily from 10.30 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

Planeta Welby
Avenida de España
916 344 722
An entertainment playground for children from 2 years to 12 years old. All sorts or amusements normally found at Fun parks plus an evening Water show with light and sound.

Open daily from 17.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs, and on Sunday from 11.00 to 21.30 hrs.

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas
Calle de Alcalá, 237 - Surrounding - (4)
913 562 200
Built in 1927 this area is undoubtably the most attractive bull ring of all built in Spain. Adjoining is a mueseum devoted to the subject.

Real Fábrica de Tapices
Calle de Fuenterrabía, 2 - Surrounding - (4)
914 340 551
The royal tapestry factory was established in 1721 by Felipe V.  The operation was moved to its present location in 1889. 

Open daily from 10.00 to 14.00 hrs.

Teatro Real
Plaza del Oreinte - Old Madrid - (1)
915 160 600
Constructed around 1850 as a home for Spanish opera and holds 1,650 spectators. The interior restaurant on the second floor was originally the ballroom for parties thrown by Queen Isabel II, and is a definite locations for a visit. 

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10.30 to 13.30 hrs.

Temple de Debod
Paseo del Pintor Rosales - Surrounding - (4)
An authentic Eygiptian temple from the 2nd Century was given to Spain in 1968 in reward for the work completed by Spanish engineers in the Aswan Dam project.

Theatres for Children

Centro Culteral de la Villa
Plaza de Colón - Castellana Area - (3)
915 764 551
A marionate theatre which gives performances every Sunday

Cuarta Pared
Calle Ercilla, 17 - Surrounding - (4)
914 739 6666
Music and small plays for children performed in the afternoon on Saturdays at 17.30 hours.

La Cripta Mágica
Calle Tarragona, 15 - Surrounding - (4)
915 399 696
Leading magicians perform to audiences composed mainly of children. Performances at 17.00 and 19.00 hours.

Sala San Pol
Plaza de San Pol del Mar, 1 - Surrounding - (4)
Entertainment dedicated exclusively to children. At weekends children may take their parents to the 10.30 and 15.00 hours performances.

Teatro Permanente de Títeres del Retiro
Parque del Retiro - Bourbon Madrid - (2)
Performances at 13.00 hours only during the summer months.