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In a previous article, we talked in detail about the history of Madrid and its state of the art. You can read about how the city is developing, and what can surprise and please, in the article. "Getting to know Madrid - part 1: history, important facts, how the city lives now" .

We have fully covered this material with numerous sights of the capital of Spain, we have identified the most iconic of them, which are “must-see”, but this is far from the most full list. Madrid knows how to surprise!

By the way, lovers beach holiday on the Costa Brava, Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol can quickly reach Madrid by high-speed train Renfe: from different parts of Spain it takes 2 to 3 hours. A great opportunity to combine beach and cultural holidays in one trip!

Evening Madrid

Madrid architecture: from the Middle Ages to the present

The architecture of Madrid is characterized by a mixture of many styles from different periods of history.

Little of medieval architecture has survived, most of the buildings of this period are located in Almendra central, the central zone of Madrid, consisting of seven districts: Centro, Arganzuela, Retiro, Salamanca, Chamartin, Tetuan and Paladi.

Among the few surviving medieval buildings are the Mudejar towers of the churches of San Nicolás and San Pedro el Viejo (San Pedro el Viejo), the palace of the Luján family, located on the Plaza de la Villa, the Gothic church of St. Jerome (San Jeronimo el Real) 16- th century near the Prado Museum, the Bishop's Chapel (Capilla del Obispo de Madrid).

Historical documents testify that the city was surrounded by a fortress wall, and on the site where the Royal Palace now stands, there was a castle (Alcazar).

There are also few striking examples of Renaissance architecture: the House of Cisneros (Casa Cisneros) on Plaza de la Villa, which has come down to us unchanged, the Bridge of Segovia (Puente de Segovia) made of brick and granite and the Monastery of Descalzas Reales (Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales) , whose austere exterior contrasts strongly with the magnificent interior, which is a real treasure trove with outstanding works of art.

Many historical Buildings Madrid belong to the Spanish Golden Age, which coincided with the period of Habsburg rule (1516-1700). King Philip II moved his court to Madrid in 1561 and made that city the capital. These transformations are reflected in the Plaza Mayor, with its symmetry and austerity, as well as in the new Alcazar, which has become the second largest Spanish royal palace. Buildings during the Habsburg era were mostly made of brick, with the buildings characterized by modest façades that contrasted with the elaborate, ornate interiors. Among the famous buildings of this era: the Santa Cruz Palace (Palacio de Santa Cruz), the Palace of the Soviets (Palacio de los Concejos), the Royal Monastery of the Incarnation and the Buen Retiro Palace (Palacio del Buen Retiro). A large number of buildings, as well as fountains and bridges in the Churrigueresco (late Baroque) style, were created by the famous Spanish architect Pedro de Ribera. The most notable of these are the former Cuartel del Conde-Duque barracks, the Baroque Church of Our Lady of Montserrat (Nuestra Señora de Montserrat) and the Toledo Bridge (Puente de Toledo).

The rule of the Bourbons in the 18th century marked a new era in the history of Madrid. King Philip V sought to complete Philip II's ideas for the urbanization of Madrid. Philip V built a new French-style Alcazar, as did several other buildings such as the Basilica of Saint Michael (Basílica Pontificia de San Miguel) and the Church of Saint Barbara (Parroquia de Santa Bárbara, or Salesas Reales). Charles III was more interested in beautifying the city, trying to turn Madrid into one of the greatest European capitals. Thanks to him, the Prado Museum appeared in Madrid, which was originally conceived as the Museum of Natural Sciences, the Alcala Gate, the Royal Observatory, the Royal Cathedral of St. Francis the Great, the Post Office building (Casa de Correos) on Puerta del Sol, the Royal Customs House (Real Casa de la Aduana) on Calle de Alcala and the General Hospital, which now houses the Reina Sofia Museum and the Royal Conservatory of Music.

Paseo del Prado, surrounded by gardens and adorned with neoclassical statues of mythological figures, is a fine example of urban planning.

Paseo del Prado

At the beginning of the 19th century, the Pyrenean Wars, the loss of the American colonies by Spain and coups d'état limited the architectural development of the city. The buildings of the Royal Theater, the National Library of Spain, the Palace of the Senate and Congress belong to this period.

From the middle of the 19th century to civil war Madrid was modernized, new quarters and monuments were built. The expansion of Madrid developed within the framework of the Castro Plan, limited to the neighborhoods of Salamanca, Argüelles and Chamberi.

The main street of the city of Gran Vía was built in different styles that have changed over time: French style, eclecticism, art deco and expressionism. Antonio Palacios, inspired by the ideas of the Vienna Secession, designed a series of buildings: the Palace of Communications (Palacio de Comunicaciones, or Palacio de Cibeles), the Circle of Fine Arts (Círculo de Bellas Artes) with observation deck above and the Bank of Rio de la Plata (Banco del Río de la Plata), which now houses the headquarters of the Instituto Cervantes. One of the symbols of Madrid, the Metropolis building on the corner of Calle de Alcala and Gran Via, built in the French style, Edificio Grassy, ​​beginning of the Gran Via, in eclectic style, Edificio Telefónica and the Palace of the Press - Art Deco with Baroque decorations, and one of the first skyscrapers in Madrid, the 89-meter Edificio Carrión - Expressionist. Edificio Carrión eventually competed with the 1950s skyscrapers Edificio España and Torre de Madrid at the end of the Gran Vía.

Other outstanding buildings in Madrid include the Bank of Spain (Banco de España), the neo-Gothic Cathedral of Almudena (Santa María la Real de La Almudena), Atocha Station (Estación de Madrid Atocha), catalan palace in Longoria (Palacio de Longoria) in the Art Nouveau style, the bullring Las Ventas (Las Ventas), the market of San Miguel (Mercado de San Micuel) with cast-iron supports and glass walls.

The civil war badly damaged Madrid - Old city and the Ensanche area, as well as one of the most beautiful areas - Moncloa-Aravaca with the University Campus, were badly destroyed and damaged, the most beautiful architectural complexes. Subsequently, unscrupulous mayors built up these areas with numerous apartment buildings that do not represent any artistic value. Among the most interesting buildings post-war architecture can be called the headquarters of the Spanish Air Force and the skyscrapers in the Plaza de España, built in the 1950s and considered at that time the highest in Europe.

Madrid's contemporary architecture is well represented in the AZCA financial district in the city centre. The quarter is located between the streets of Raimundo Fernandez Villaverde, Ourense, General Peron and Paseo de la Castellana. Here rise some of the tallest and most beautiful modern skyscrapers in Madrid, which appeared at the end of the 20th century, during the Spanish economic boom: Picasso Tower (Torre Picasso) - 157 m, Tower Europe (Torre Europa) - 120 m, Torre Titania (Torre Titania) - 104 m, Torre BBVA (Torre BBVA) - 107 m, Torre Mahou (Torre Mahou) - 85 m, as well as the twin towers of the Gate of Europe (Puerta de Europa) - 114 m, located a little to the north, in the Chamartin area. In February 2005, the Windsor Tower (106 m) was destroyed in a fire and was later replaced by the Titania Tower.

During the 2000s, four of the most high skyscraper in Spain, which form the Cuatro Torres business center, north of Plaza de Castilla: Torre Espacio (224.5 m), Torre Cepsa (250 m), Torre de Cristal (249 m), Torre PwC (236 m). These buildings are the tallest not only in Madrid, but throughout Spain.

In 2006, the new Terminal 4 at Madrid-Barajas Airport was opened, which won several architecture awards for its unusual futuristic design and excellent functionality. This terminal is one of the largest in the world (760,000 sqm); its glass walls and many skylights provide the building with excellent daylight illumination.

Cuatro Torres

Puerta del Sol

Most of Madrid's attractions are located in the old town and Ensanche, which corresponds to the Centro, Salamanca, Chamberi, Retiro and Arganzuela districts.

The liveliest place in the center of Madrid Puerta del Sol (Puerta del Sol) the starting point for the numbering of all city streets and highways of the country is the "zero" kilometer (kilómetro cero) of all radial Spanish roads. This is dedicated to a commemorative plaque installed on the sidewalk of the square, which is considered the symbolic center of Spain.

In the Middle Ages, this place was the gate of the city wall. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, the Puerta del Sol area was an important meeting place: numerous couriers from different parts of Spain and other countries arrived at the post office, and everyone who wanted to know came here last news. The Post Office House (La Real Casa de Correos), located on the south side of the square, was built by the French architect Jacques Marquet between 1766 and 1768. It is currently the seat of the President of the Community of Madrid. On the tower of the building are the famous clock, under the ringing of which the country meets New Year traditional eating of twelve grapes with twelve wishes. Since December 31, 1962, the celebration of the New Year has been broadcast live on national television.

Puerta del Sol often hosts various rallies and protests, especially against violence and wars. There were protests against Spain's participation in the war in Iraq, rallies after the infamous terrorist attacks on March 11, 2004 in Madrid trains.

In the southern part of Puerto del Sol there is a statue of King Charles III, who was nicknamed "el rey alcalde" ("mayor king"), and in the eastern part of the square there is famous statue"The Bear and the Strawberry Tree" (el Oso y el Madroño), the heraldic symbol of Madrid. The first appearance of a wild bear and a strawberry tree on the coat of arms of the city dates back to the 13th century. The statue, made of stone and bronze, was unveiled in 1967. The height of the monument is 4 m, its pedestal is a cubic pedestal made of granite.

To the southwest of Puerto del Sol are the famous Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace, to the east is the museum district, and to the southeast is the Atocha train station. Under the area is a node public transport with lines 1, 2 and 3 of the Madrid metro.

Bear and strawberry tree

Monastery of Descalzas Reales

Not far from the Puerta del Sol is Monastery of Descalzas Reales (Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales (Monastery of the Barefoot Princesses). The monastery was founded by the daughter of Charlemagne Juana of Austria and was intended for girls from aristocratic families. Future nuns brought rich donations to the monastery as a dowry, among which there were many works of art, relics and precious things. Princess Juana herself, who became a nun, is buried in the main chapel of the monastery.

Now about 30 nuns live in the monastery, which is a national monument and open to the public. Among the many relics on display are alleged fragments of the cross of Jesus Christ and the bones of Saint Sebastian. And among the priceless artistic masterpieces, one can single out the works of Titian, Hans de Becken and Brueghel the Elder, Murillo, Zurbaran, 17th century tapestries woven according to Rubens' sketches, collections of silver, coins, Bohemian crystal.

Monastery of Descalzas Reales

Monastery of Descalzas Reales

Frescoes in the monastery

monastery altar

Patio in the monastery

Plaza Mayor

Plaza Mayor, which means "Main Square", was built in 1580-1619, during the reign of Philip III. This central square of Madrid is rectangular, measuring 129 m × 94 m, and is surrounded by three-story residential buildings with 237 balconies overlooking the square. In total, 9 streets approach the square.

The origin of the Plaza Mayor idea dates back to 1577, when King Philip II invited the famous classical architect Juan de Herrera to discuss a plan to rebuild the busy and chaotic area of ​​the old Plaza del Arrabal. However, the reconstruction began only in 1617, already during the reign of Philip III. After a series of powerful fires, in 1790 the Plaza Mayor underwent another reconstruction. In 1848, an equestrian statue of Philip III was installed on the square, which was made in 1616 by the Florentine sculptor Giambologna with his assistant Pietro Tacca. During the Spanish Inquisition, the Plaza Mayor held an auto-da-fe with executions of heretics sentenced to death.

One of the most spectacular buildings surrounding the square is the Casa de la Panaderia (Bakery), which is the architectural dominant of the Plaza Mayor. Initially, in the 17th century on its lower levels the main bakery of the city was located, which explains the name of the building. For several centuries, many different institutions have been located here; today this building is occupied by the Madrid Tourist Board, and the Madrid Tourist Center is located on the ground floor.

Plaza Mayor

main square

Palace of the Holy Cross

Close to the Plaza Mayor Plaza de Santa Cruz located baroque Palace of Santa Cruz, otherwise called the Palace of the Holy Cross. Built at the beginning of the 17th century, it was at one time used to house judicial and prison institutions. From 1629 to 1636, the architect Juan Gomez de Mora worked on the building, and then other architects, such as José de Villareal, Bartolome Hurtado Garcia and José del Olmo, who added their own elements to the structure. In 1767, the building was converted into a palace and was named after the nearby church of Santa Cruz. However, in 1791, a fire destroyed almost the entire building, except for the facade.

Currently, the restored Santa Cruz Palace houses the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Palace of the Holy Cross

Royal Palace

Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real de Madrid)- This is the official residence of the Spanish royal family, but it is used only for state events and ceremonies. The area of ​​the palace of 3,418 rooms is 135 thousand square meters. m, which makes it the largest royal palace in Europe. King Felipe VI and the royal family do not live in the palace, but rather the more modest Palazzo Zarzuela near Madrid.

The palace is located on the site of a Muslim fortress - the 9th century Alcazar, built as an outpost of Mohammed I of Cordoba and inherited after 1036 by the Taifa of Toledo. The immediate predecessor of the Royal Palace, the Old Alcazar, was built on the same site in the 16th century. After it burned down in 1734, King Philip V ordered new palace. Many works of art were lost in that fire, including Diego Velázquez's Expulsion of the Moors. Other paintings, such as Las Meninas, were thrown out of windows and thus saved. Fortunately, many masterpieces of art have been preserved due to the fact that, shortly before the fire, the king ordered the transfer of most of the collection to the Buen Retiro Palace. The terrible fire lasted four days and completely destroyed the old Alcazar, the last walls of which were already destroyed in 1738.

The Italian architect Filippo Juvarra oversaw work on the new palace. He developed a luxurious project of enormous proportions, but he was not destined to be realized due to the untimely death of Juvarra in March 1736. His student Giovanni Battista Sacchetti continued the work by building the building around a large square courtyard and creating projecting outbuildings. In 1760 Charles III invited Francesco Sabatini, a neoclassical architect from Sicily, to enlarge the existing palace.

The first floors of the main facade of the palace, overlooking the Plaza de la Armeria, are lined with roughly hewn convex stones; above them rise Ionic columns on Tuscan pilasters, framing the windows of the upper floors. The upper balustrade used to be decorated with statues of kings and saints, but on the orders of Charles III, who wanted to give the building a more austere, classical look, they were moved to another place. During the restoration of the facade of the palace in 1973, including the Sabitini balcony of four Doric columns, some of the Sacchetti sculptures were returned. These include statues of the Aztec ruler Montezuma II by João Pascual de Mena and the Inca emperor Atahualpa Domingo Martinez.

The interior of the palace is richly and elaborately decorated with fine materials and outstanding works of art. These include paintings by Caravaggio, Francisco de Goya, Velazquez, frescoes by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, Juan de Flandes, Corrado Giaquinto, Anton Rafael Mangs. Other collections of great historical and artistic importance preserved in the palace include furniture, porcelain and silverware, clocks, weapons (of the Royal Armory) and a collection of Stradivarius violins. Among the halls of the palace, the richly decorated Throne, Porcelain, Ceremonial halls, the Gasparini hall, the Armory, and the Chapel stand out. To these halls leads a luxurious main staircase the work of Francesco Sabatini.

Several halls of the palace are regularly open to the public when not in public use. Entrance fee - 11 euros. On some special days, admission is free, information can be found on the website (address).

Royal Palace of Madrid

Cathedral of Almudena

In Madrid, unlike most European capitals, there is no historical great cathedral - the Almudena Cathedral near the royal palace was completed only at the very end of the 20th century. Cathedral Cathedral of Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena (Santa Maria la Real de La Almudena) stands in front of the Royal Palace, across the square. It is believed that the cathedral was built on the site of a medieval mosque destroyed in 1083 during the conquest of Madrid by King Alfonso VI.

The name of the cathedral - Almudena - is translated from Arabic as "fortress". Tradition says that it was in the wall of this ancient fortress that a figurine of the Virgin Mary was found.

The construction of the cathedral was financed by King Alfonso XII, who wanted to place the tomb of his wife Maria de las Mercedes of Orleans there. The construction of the church began in 1878 and was completed only in 1993. During the Spanish Civil War, construction completely stopped, and the project was only resumed in 1950.

The exterior of the cathedral is made in the neoclassical style, in line with the buildings surrounding it, and the interior is in the neogothic style. Given the long construction of the temple, its interior is unusually modern with chapels and sculptures by contemporary artists in diverse styles, from historical recreations to pop art decor. In the chapel of the Holy Communion there is a mosaic by the famous contemporary artist Marko Ivan Rupnik. The Neo-Romanesque crypt contains a 16th-century image of the Virgin Mary of Almudena. Nearby, excavations along Calle Mayor have unearthed remains of Moorish and medieval city walls.

The cathedral's main altar is made of Granada marble, above which is a 17th-century baroque crucifix. Behind the altar is a painting by Francisco Risi "Taking off Christ's clothes".

Other works of art include a magnificent 16th century retablo, sculptures of John the Baptist from the 18th century, Christ reclining and Christ tied to a pole.

In general, many temples are scattered throughout the Old Town of Madrid, including small, often inconspicuous churches that hide real treasures inside. For example, in a church San Antonio de los AlemanesSan Antonio de los Alemanes) behind a strict and laconic facade hides a magnificent baroque painting from floor to ceiling by Luca Giordano and Francisco Risi. What is the chapel worth? San Antonio de la FloridaSan Antonio de la Florida), which was completely painted by Francisco Goya. In order to preserve the original frescoes, a similar church was built nearby for parishioners. And the one painted by Goya is now a museum and pantheon of the famous artist, under which his body is buried.

Cathedral Cathedral of Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena

Church of San Antonio de los Alemanes

Chapel of San Antonio de la Florida

East Square

To the east of the Royal Palace is Eastern Square (Plaza de Oriente), created in the 19th century. The center of the square is decorated with a statue of King Philip IV, riding a horse. The sculptural group was created in 1640 by the master Pietro Tacca based on the portrait of the king by Diego Velasquez. The horse stands on its hind legs, and to ensure the stability of the sculpture, all physical calculations were made by Galileo Galilei. Figures of the kings of the first states on the territory of Spain are installed in the square on the Eastern Square.

Opera House of Madrid

In the eastern part of the Plaza de Oriente, in front of the Royal Palace is located Royal Opera theatre Madrid (Teatro Real de Madrid) one of the greatest theaters in Europe . The project of the theater dates back to 1818, but the opening took place only in 1850, under Queen Isabella II. From 1867 to 1925, the Madrid Royal Conservatory was located here, after 1925 the theater was closed and reopened only in 1997, after restoration. In 1925, Diaghilev's Russian Ballet performed in this theater, Igor Stravinsky and Vaslav Nijinsky were present at the performance.

The theater has a capacity of 1,746 people, its repertoire includes home productions with the participation of world stars: operas, ballets and concerts. Every day, the theater organizes various types of excursions, lasting from 50 to 90 minutes, in different languages. This gives the public the opportunity to learn about the building of the theater, the arrangement of the stage, look into the workshops and rehearsal rooms.

Monastery of Encarnacion

To the north of Vostochnaya Square is the Augustinian Royal Monastery of Encarnación (Real Monasterio de la Encarnación), founded by Queen Margaret of Austria, wife of Philip III and intended mainly for women from noble families. The monastery was opened on July 2, 1616, a few years after the death of the queen. The restrained and balanced facade of the monastery is made in the style of Juan de Herrera, who came to be called herreresco. After a fire in the 18th century, the monastery was restored by the famous Spanish architect Ventura Rodriguez. The monastery, now part of a museum, houses many works of art and valuable relics, such as the blood of Saint Januarius and Saint Panteleimon.

Of the artistic works of the monastery, of great interest are the marble main altar with the figures of St. Monica and St. Augustine and the canvas "Annunciation" by Vicente Carduccio, frescoes of the 18th century, portraits of the Habsburgs and other paintings and sculptures of outstanding masters.

Currently, the monastery houses a museum open to the public.

Plaza of Spain

Plaza de España located on 36,900 sq. m - this is the largest square in the country and very popular with tourists in the center of Madrid, a short walk from the Royal Palace, at the end of Gran Via Avenue. It is adjacent to the two most famous skyscrapers in Madrid - Torre de Madrid and Edificio España.

An impressive monument to Miguel de Cervantes has been erected right in the center of the square. The structural part of the monument is designed in granite, while the sculptural part is made of red stone from Sepulveda and, in part, bronze. The seated writer is surrounded by the characters of his works.

The monument was dedicated to the third centenary of the publication of the second part of Don Quixote (1615), and the next year, 1916, was the 300th anniversary of the writer's death. The author of the project, architect and sculptor Rafael Martínez Zapatero, collaborated with Pedro Muguruza Otaño. The sculptures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza were made by Lorenzo Valera.

Next to the square are the first and tallest buildings in Madrid at that time - the skyscrapers Torre de Madrid (Torre de Madrid) with a height of 142 m, built in 1957 and the Building of Spain (Edificio España) with a height of 117 m, erected in 1953. Deserves special attention luxury House Gaillardo (Casa Gallardo), built in 1911; it is considered one of the prime examples of the Art Nouveau architectural style in Madrid.

Plaza of Spain

Egyptian Temple of Debod

Next to Plaza de España, there is a unique attraction of Madrid - Temple of Debod (Templo de Debod)- the only real ancient Egyptian temple in Spain, which was moved here from Egypt. The original temple was built 15 kilometers south of Aswan, in Upper Egypt, in the 4th century BC. In 1960, due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam and the subsequent threat of flooding of numerous monuments and archaeological sites, UNESCO called on the international community to save the rich historical heritage Upper Egypt. Spain contributed to the salvation of the Egyptian temples, for which the Egyptian government decided to give the Spaniards the temple of Debod. The temple was carefully dismantled and reassembled in West park Madrid, near the Royal Palace. The grand opening took place in 1972.

The Temple of Debod consists of several stone buildings standing in the middle of the water - this structure looks especially impressive at night, when the backlight is on, reflected in calm water. Inside the buildings of the temple, original Egyptian paintings, hieroglyphs and bas-reliefs have been preserved.

Temple of Debod

Palace de Liria

A rich private collection of masterpieces of European art is kept in Palacio de Liria- a neoclassical palace, the Madrid residence of the Dukes of Alba, located north of the Plaza de España. Built in 1770 by the architect Ventura Rodriguez, the palace was badly damaged during the Civil War - everything except the facades was destroyed.

The unique collection of the palace includes: paintings by Pietro Perugino, Titian, Palma il Vecchio, El Greco, Antonis More, Goya, Murillo, Zurbaran, Rembrandt, Jacob van Ruisdael, Ribera, Rubens, Francesco Guardi, Ingres, Joshua Reynolds, Courbet, Henri Fantin-Latour, Eugene-Louis Boudin, Joaquin Sorolla; engravings by Dürer, Mantegna, Lucas van Leyden and Van Dyck; marble and bronze sculptures from Roman times to the neoclassical period, including one portrait of Gioacchino Rossini by Lorenzo Bartolini.

In addition to works of art, old documents and books are stored here: more than 9,000 books, including one copy of Don Quixote in the first edition, handwritten documents, including the Bible of Alba, a papal bull from the Vatican, the last will of King Philip II and letters from Christopher Columbus , Titian and Rousseau.

Among the archaeological finds and objects of decorative art, it is worth noting Greek ceramics, historical armor and weapons, 18th-century tapestries from the French Gobelin Manufactory, Sèvres porcelain and Empire style furniture.

To visit the palace and view the art collection, you must submit an application on the spot, which will be included in the waiting list.

Palace de Liria

Paseo del Prado

In the eastern part historical center city ​​passes Paseo del Pradopaseo del Prado) is one of the main streets in Madrid. A landmark for residents and visitors alike, this broad, tree-lined boulevard is home to important cultural and tourist attractions, including the so-called Golden Art Triangle of three museums: the Prado Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Reina Sofia Art Center. Near Paseo del Prado are the Buen Retiro Park and Casón del Buen Retiro (Casón del Buen Retiro), which now houses a branch of the Prado Museum, as well as the Madrid Stock Exchange, the headquarters of the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language, and the Congress of Deputies.

In addition, on Paseo del Prado there are objects of historical and artistic value: Villanueva's house, the Royal Botanical Garden and the sculptural fountains "Cibeles", "Neptune" and "Apollo".

Paseo del Prado

Cibeles Square, Palace and Fountain

Cibeles Square (Plaza de Cibeles with a fountain and marble sculptures in the neoclassical style has become an iconic symbol for Madrid, its " calling card". It is located at the intersection of Calle de Alcala, Paseo de Recoletos and Paseo del Prado.

The area is limited by large buildings: the Palace of Cibeles (Palacio de Cibeles, or Palacio de Comunicaciones), the Palace of Buenavista (General Headquarters of the Army), the Neo-Baroque Palace of Linares (Palacio de Linares) and the Bank of Spain (Banco de Espana).

Palace of Cibeles is a complex of two white buildings with a luxurious facade, occupying about 30,000 square meters. This is one of the first examples of Spanish modernist architecture in the center of Madrid, designed for the people. The palace opened in 1919 as the headquarters of the Correos, the Spanish postal and telecommunications service. The authors of the project, which served as the beginning of their brilliant architectural career, were then novice architects Antonio Palacios and Joaquin Otamendi. The decorative motifs of the facade and interior of the palace are by the hand of the romantic sculptor Ángel García Díaz, a permanent collaborator of Antonio Palacios. Now the city hall is located in the Cibeles Palace.

On the central tower of the palace there is an observation deck from which you can admire breathtaking views of the city.

Located in front of the palace cibeles fountain (Fuente de Cibeles, conceived by Charles III as part of a plan for urban planning and decoration of the capital in accordance with the aesthetics of neoclassicism. The plan included the creation of a series of fountains with sculptures on mythological themes, the Museum of Natural Sciences (the current Prado Museum), the Royal botanical garden, landscaping area and other projects.

The fountain was built in 1782, its author was the architect Venturo Rodriguez, and the sculptors Francisco Gutierrez and the Frenchman Robert Michel embodied his idea. The fertility goddess Cybele, seated on a chariot drawn by lions, holds a scepter and a key in her hands.

Fans like to gather at the Cibeles Fountain after football matches football club Real Madrid and celebrate the victories of their club.

Fountain "Neptune"

If you go south along Paseo del Prado, then on Piazza Canovas del Castillo (Plaza Canovas del Castillo you can see another, no less impressive fountain, made in the neoclassical style - "Neptune"- another obligatory item in the city plan of Charles III . Along the perimeter of the square are the Prado and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums, as well as the monumental buildings of the Palace and Ritz hotels.

This beautiful fountain is also designed by Ventura Rodriguez, who created this masterpiece in 1777. The construction of the Neptune was completed in 1786.

The fountain "Neptune" is installed on a large round pylon, in the center of which is the figure of Neptune, the god of the sea, one of the twelve deities of Olympus. His right hand is entwined with a snake, in his left he holds a trident, and he himself stands on a chariot in the form of a giant shell drawn by sea horses. Seals and dolphins swim around the chariot, spewing jets of water high up.

According to one version, Neptune symbolizes the fleet, which Charles III reformed, trying to make it more competitive and thereby strengthen its connection with the colonies.

During the famine during the Civil War, the townspeople, who did not lose their sense of humor, hung a sign around Neptune's neck with the words: "Give me something to eat or take my fork."

While Real Madrid fans celebrate their team's accomplishments at the Cibeles Fountain, Atlético Madrid fans celebrate victories here at the Neptune Fountain.

Between the fountains "Cibeles" and "Neptune", on Paseo del Prado is installed Fountain "Apollo"- a beautiful monument in the Renaissance style by the same Ventura Rodriguez. Another name for the fountain is "Cuatro Estaciones", which means "Four Seasons". This is due to the four figures surrounding the sun god, which symbolize the seasons.

Atocha train station

The southern end of the Paseo del Prado leads to the Emperor Charles V Square, which faces the main facade Atocha train station- the first and most central station of the city and the largest railway station in Madrid. She serves suburban trains(Cercanías), intercity and regional trains from the south, as well as high speed trains AVE from Barcelona, ​​Zaragoza, Seville, Malaga, Valencia and Alicante. Atocha Station is located in the Arganzuela area.

First railroad station the Spanish capital called Estación de Mediodía was opened on this site in 1851. After significant fire damage to the first building, the station was rebuilt and reopened in 1892. The station was named Atocha in honor of the nearby basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Atocha.

This important transport hub of Madrid has been expanding over the years. In 1985, a complete renovation process began, based on designs by Rafael Moneo. In 1992, the old station building was no longer used as a terminal and turned into a kind of shopping mall with shops and cafes. In addition, by analogy with the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, an indoor tropical garden area of ​​4000 sq. m, in which more than 500 species of plants grow, and turtles and goldfish are found in ponds. Passengers and greeters are happy to spend time here, and lovers of nature and greenery just drop in.

The station's modern terminal was also designed by Rafael Moneo and built on surrounding land to serve both new AVE trains and local commuter lines.

Despite the numerous destruction and reconstruction during the centuries-old history of the city, you can admire it endlessly. architectural features Madrid are reflected in a bright symbiosis of different styles and eras, which is especially pronounced in the exterior of palaces and parks.

Features of the architecture of the city

• main styles: Moorish, Gothic, baroque, neoclassical, modern;
• the historical part of the city has been preserved in the northeast and southeast of the capital;
• medieval buildings can only be seen southwest of Plaza del Sol;

History of city construction

The right to be called founders belongs to the Arabs. In the 9th century, the city of "Mairit" was a hilltop citadel surrounded by the valley of the Manzanares River. A settlement adjoined the fortress, which did not have urban features, with the exception of a huge wall and a gate. The roads leading to the gate eventually became streets. By the 15th century, the area of ​​the suburbs was already twice the size of the old city, and in the 16th century Madrid became the capital.

From now on, Madrid performed a military, commercial and political function. A “Decoration Council” was created, which was responsible for the appearance of buildings. It was during this period that new palaces, theaters of Madrid, magnificent squares appeared.

The 18th century changed the face of the capital - a big fire almost destroyed the Alcazar, which they did not dare to restore, but in the gardens, it seems, all the love of the Spanish people for art was embodied.

The 19th century brought with it the destruction of churches and monasteries. Classicism was replaced by modernity, and many medieval monuments have ceased to exist.

Architectural monuments of the capital

The urban planning of Madrid was not a spontaneous process. It is no coincidence that the capital has a second name - "Intentional City".

temple architecture

Its main example is the Almudena Cathedral, built in honor of the Virgin Almudena (translation - "fortress"), whose statue was found in the wall of the old Arab citadel. Location - Baylen Street (opposite the Royal Palace). Work began in the 19th century and ended only 100 years later.

Until the 19th century, there was no cathedral in Madrid, since it was not the center of the diocese. In 1884, the city received this status, which gave rise to the construction of the main religious building in the capital.

The facade of the building is made in light colors, which creates an ensemble with the Royal Palace. The interior decoration is distinguished by a special atmosphere of holiness and religiosity. The design is in the form of a Latin cross. The Cathedral in Madrid is decorated with statues of saints created by the great masters of Spain.

Theaters of Madrid

The main attraction is also located opposite the Royal Palace. In 1850, Queen Isabella II ordered the construction of the cultural pearl of the capital to begin. By the end of the same year, the opera The Favorite by Donizetti opened the Royal Theater of Madrid.

Later, the Moscow Conservatory took shelter here. Theater in different time visited by leading cultural figures of the whole world - Verdi, Stravinsky, Nijinsky.

After the reconstruction, the temple of art was converted into concert hall, which hosted the Eurovision Song Contest (1969).

Since 1997, it has again been possible to enjoy the opera in Madrid here.

Modern architecture

A bright representative of it is the whole region. Deservedly bears the glory of the most fashionable, avant-garde, outrageous place in the capital. Here, views on life are more free from stereotypes. This place is known as the embodiment of design projects, extravagant fashion. His name is Chuek.

Here, sexual freedom is held in high esteem, the sounds of fashionable concerts are heard. In the summer, the Pride Parade takes place, an event that unites people from all over the world.

Monuments

The pride of the people of Madrid is the monument to Don Quixote. It is part of a large ensemble dedicated to Cervantes. Location - Plaza de España, not far from the Royal Palace. Its opening marked the 300th anniversary of the writer's death. The composition includes a monument to the most famous Spaniard, his characters and Queen Isabella.

Madrid is not a city frozen in time. It is constantly growing, developing and changing. Many modern buildings have been its symbols for just as long.

Madrid (Spain) - Walking in the capital: Video

The main and most striking sights of Madrid are associated with the royal family and are located in close proximity to each other - around the Eastern Square. First of all, this is the Royal Palace with its magnificent facade and breathtaking rococo interiors, Spain was once ruled from here, today it is only a platform for celebrations and excursions.

Inside, visitors will find a concentration of increased luxury. These are tapestries, wall and ceiling frescoes, works of great Spanish and European artists, an abundance of stucco, marble, crystal chandeliers and lamps, carved furniture, as well as a collection of Stradivari violins, the Carriage Museum, the Armory Hall, an old pharmacy and much more.

Opposite is the Royal Theater, which hosts key productions that are rich in theatrical Spain.

But the main thing to see while spending holidays in Madrid is the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, better known as the San Fernando Academy. Works by Goya, Ruben, Zurbaran, Serano, Dali, Picasso and other artistic geniuses are exhibited here. The ensemble of royal architecture also includes the San Francisco Cathedral - an 18th-century building built in a neoclassical style, has the highest bell in Spain (58 meters), keeps paintings of painters, burial places of prominent Spanish people and temple relics inside.

In continuation of the royal theme, it is worth visiting the Escorial Monastery in the suburbs of Madrid. In addition to the main function, it once served as a royal residence, for which it received the nickname of the monastery-palace. Chapels, chapels, towers, residential buildings made of gray granite, galleries, arcades and fountains await us outside the walls.

Of the monasteries, Encarnacion is also interesting with a collection of murals, sculptures and a vessel with the blood of St. Panteleimon and the monastery of Descalzas Reales. The monastery has an extensive museum with paintings by Rubens, Zurbaran, Titian, Caravaggio. In addition, a collection of tapestries, silverware, coins, and sculptures is exhibited in the halls.

Excursion tourism in Madrid is inextricably linked with temples and palaces. First of all, this Cathedral Almudena in neo-gothic style. Inside there is a baroque crucifix, green marble decorations and wall paintings traditional for European churches. Christian architecture represent the churches of San Isidro, San Nicolás.

Spain is a whole collection of examples of palace architecture and a vivid example of this is the Telecommunications Palace, in the magnificent exterior of which all styles and decorative elements are mixed.

When exploring Madrid, you will be surprised to find a small piece here - ancient temple Debod, brought from the country of the pharaohs. The sights of Spain and its capital are continued by the Royal Tapestry Manufactory, or carpet factory, where you can get acquainted with the techniques of weaving carpets.

Holidays in Madrid, like holidays in Spain, are closely connected with the squares. Here the life of the city takes place, the main events take place, including festive ones, so they are full-fledged sights of Madrid and favorite places for walking among the Spaniards and tourists. Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Columbus Square, Cibeles Square compete with each other with the luxury of architecture and the abundance of restaurants, cafes, bars ...

Another wealth of the capital is parks and gardens, decorated with ponds, fountains, sculptural compositions, flower beds and lush vegetation. It is worth walking through the Sabatini gardens, visiting the Casa de Campo, Campo del Moro and Retiro parks.

Modern Spain is a high-rise architecture, represented in Madrid by twin towers under the common name "Gate of Europe". Skyscrapers are remarkable not at all for their height of 114 meters, but for the fact that they are sloping towards each other, forming something like an arch or gate.

And certainly excursions in Madrid do not pass by the capital's museums. The main exposition pearl of the city is the Golden Triangle of Arts, which contains the Thyssen-Bornemisza museums, the Reina Sofia Center and. The halls of these museums contain works of Spanish, Flemish, Italian, German, Dutch and other schools. Here you can get an idea of ​​the work of El Greco, Berruguet, Brueghel, Ribera, Veronese, Titian, Tintoretto, Raphael, Goya, Bosch.

Of the most notable expositions, the Sorolla Museum, the Lazaro Galdiano Museum, the Serralbo Museum, the American Museum, a branch of the Solomon Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art, Maritime Museum, museums of clocks, criminology, romanticism, medicine and many other collections.

And these are just a few of the objects that turn a holiday in Spain into a real journey through time and through the world of art.

Chapter 1

It is known that Madrid (Mayrit) was founded by the Arabs under Emir Mohammed I (852-886) as a fortified settlement. Madrid stood on a hill. It was surrounded by the valley of the Manzanares River, a deep ravine where Segovia Street now passes and the Arenal River, the memory of which is preserved in the name of the modern street. At the top was a citadel (in Arabic "almudaina"). The city itself (medina) adjoined it on the eastern side, located on less rocky lands. The area of ​​the citadel and the medina reached, respectively, 8 and 16 hectares.

The military role of the city and the peasants who inhabited it give reason to believe that Madrid did not stand out for any urban originality, apart from its monolithic city wall. It was she and the gates made in it, to which the main and secondary paths converged from nearby villages, were the factors that influenced further development cities.

These roads gradually turned into the main streets of the new outskirts of Madrid. The transformation of a rural road into a city street has become a kind of constant in the morphology of the future. big city. This is confirmed by the so-called "Suburb" (Arrabal), which in the late Middle Ages grew outside the city wall along the axis of the current Calle Mayor street from the once-existing Guadalajara Gate to the place that would later be called Puerta del Sol (Gate of the Sun ). From here the road to Alcala de Henares (future Alcala Street) and the Aragonese tract began.

The question of the expansion of Madrid has been raised for a very long time and confirms the existence of residential areas adjacent to the outer part of the city wall. During the XIII-XV centuries, these settlements constantly and very intensively grew and formed the already mentioned "Suburb", which under Enrique IV (1454-1475) doubled the area of ​​the old Spanish-Muslim city.

It must be admitted that the city's three markets, one duty-free and two ordinary, have become the driving force behind the city's growth. They were ordered to be organized by Enrique IV, who showed his favor to Madrid also by the fact that he founded several institutions in it, for example, the monastery of San Jeronimo, which remained under the august patronage even during the time of the Catholic Kings. "Suburb" was built unevenly and randomly. The connecting elements were the churches of San Martin, San Gines and Santa Cruz built in it. Middle Ages. Renaissance: a course of lectures / ed. S.D. Silver. - M.: RGGU, 1998. - S. 93-99. .

In the 16th century, Madrid turned from an ordinary city into a capital. Thus ended the first stage of its history, during which trading was added to the initial military functions of the settlement. During the reign of Philip II, Madrid acquired a new political significance due to the fact that the Royal Court settled in this city. Even Charles V showed his sympathy for Madrid. It is known that he visited the medieval Alcazar and decided to expand it and rebuild it. Part of the building had to be demolished to create a square around it and improve access roads. Caring for appearance royal castle, the facade of which acquired a certain nobility of forms, although the rest of the walls retained their former medieval appearance, gave rise to a spirit of peculiar competition among wealthy citizens. It was in that era that the first palaces began to appear in the city, and the builders took care not only of their external architectural appearance, but also of the internal layout (let's name, for example, the building that would later house the Royal Barefoot Convent and which is usually called "Casa de Cisneros ").

By 1517-1556, the founding of many religious communities, which contributed to the emergence of a large number of church buildings, among them the famous Bishop's Chapel (Capilla del Obispo), belongs. At the same time, the first monumental architectural structures. Another confirmation that the rebuilding of Madrid began under Charles V is the work carried out at the "Puerta de Guadalajara", the gate, which was greatly expanded for the free passage of wagons and carriages.

Until now, not a single plan of the city of that period is known. There is only some information about the appearance of Madrid at the end of the era of Charles V. We are talking about several views of Madrid stored in the Vienna National Library, very problematically attributed to the brush of the Flemish artist Anton von den Wingerd and relating to approximately 1563-1570. On them, in addition to the rebuilt Alcazar, the size of Madrid, which has gone beyond the limits of the Suburbs, is most striking. Some administrative documents, for example, regarding the cleaning of the streets or the preventive measures taken in connection with the epidemic of 1566, make it possible to learn about the division of Madrid into 9 large sections and its real perimeter, finally fixed by a decree of the Council of Castile in 1567. The new boundaries assumed a significant expansion of the area of ​​the capital, which grew mainly to the east and, to a lesser extent, to the south.

By defining new city boundaries, the authorities tried to control the quality of developments inside the city and at the same time prevent the construction of any structures outside it. However, they failed to achieve either one or the other. By 1590, Madrid had grown terrifyingly and approached the size that it would reach during the time of Philip IV 11 Dmitriev N.A. Short story arts. - M.: UNITI, 1993. - S. 118-120. .

At the beginning of the reign of Philip II, there were about 20,000 inhabitants in the capital, and by the day of the death of the monarch, the population was already 60,000 people. The number of buildings in the city has increased from three thousand to almost nine. For the sake of qualitative changes, an attempt was made to streamline urban affairs by creating a semblance of a city council, known as the “Junts of decoration and public amenities”. Her mission was to help keep the city of Madrid “clean, tidy and smart as it should be”. The council had to keep an eye on urban architecture as well. In this regard, he promulgated the “Decree on Decoration” (1591), which, in particular, prohibited buildings beyond the permitted boundaries, and also made it obligatory to submit drawings of houses planned for construction in order to obtain the appropriate permit.

The appointment of Francisco de Mora as "Senior Manager of the work carried out in the city on behalf of the Junta" (1592) seemed to predict the emergence in the future of the position of chief architect responsible for the architectural and urban future of the city. Behind all this activity, one should see Philip II himself and the royal architect Juan de Herrera, on whose initiative the plan for intra-city reforms was created. Among the works undertaken are the straightening of Atocha, Segovia and Mayor streets. Segovia Street will eventually become the main entrance to the capital and will pass along the same axis as the impressive Segovia Bridge over the Manzanares River. The redevelopment of Calle Mayor entailed the redevelopment of Arrabal or Mayor Square (1581), which was the first step towards the complete streamlining of an urban area so vital to Madrid's trade.

After the royal court moved to Valladolid, the construction of new buildings in Madrid was suspended. However, after the return of the court to Madrid, she resumed her activities. Philip III Special attention devoted to Calla Mayor and the streets adjacent to it, where there were many wastelands suitable for building. The architect Francisco de Mora wrote in 1610: “There is a lot of building in the capital, and everyone does it as he pleases; therefore, some houses turn out to be low, others - high, some of them go beyond the established line, others do not reach it, and all this leads to great inconsistency” 11 Bartenev I.A. Essays on the history of architectural styles. - M.: Academy. 2003. - S. 125-129. . This is evidence of the impotence of architectural control in the city, which by the end of the reign of Philip III had about 9,500 buildings.

The most important architectural and urban buildings of that period are associated with the final formation central square, Plaza Mayor, and putting in order the streets adjacent to it. The houses on them, according to the project of Juan Gomez de Mora (1617), received typological uniformity in the solution of facades with portals and balconies. Plaza Mayor has become the most important in Madrid community center thanks to its many functions and the trade that was carried out on it.

The urban planning activities of the kings who inherited the throne of the House of Austria (Philip V, Ferdinand VI, and especially Charles III) were quite remarkable. An idea of ​​​​it is given by a series of plans for Madrid, the first of which were compiled by Thomas Lopez and Chalmandrier (1761), Espinoza de los Monteros (1769), and in 1785 again by the geographer Thomas Lopez. Urban construction and modifications were carried out so rapidly that every new plan, in a sense, made the previous one unnecessary, since it took into account all the innovations and it more fully reflected the true appearance of the city. The most significant changes appearance Madrid begins in the years 1715-1729, when the Corregidor of Madrid was Don Francisco Antonio Salcedo y Aguirre, Marquis del Vadillo, who skillfully used the brilliant talent of the great Spanish architect Pedro de Ribera. During these years, the Toledo Bridge was built in the southern part of the city on the Manzanares River, which became one of the most noteworthy entrances to Madrid. According to the project of the same Ribera, the laying of La Florida Boulevard, better known as the Virgen del Puerto, ended. It connected the Segovia Bridge with the road to El Pardo and with the San Vicente Gate, one of the entrances to Madrid. New monumental fountains appeared within the city, such as the Fountain of Glory; large structures, such as the Conde Duque barracks or the Almshouse building. It was one of the happiest and most creative periods in the city's history. Unfortunately, traces of what was done at that time almost disappeared, only architectural crumbs remained in the form of “monuments of antiquity”.

During the reign of Philip V (1701-1746), an unforeseen event occurs - the fire of the Alcazar. Disaster to a large extent reflected in the architectural appearance of the city. The architect Filippo Huvarra proposed to choose for the construction of a new Royal Palace Hills of Saint Bernardo. However, after the fire, the royal family involuntarily had to move to Buen Retiro. The palace building was not significantly altered, but the palace gardens received a different design, taking into account French designs. New buildings appeared in the city. The Convent of the Royal Salesians was built; near the church of St. Barbara, a semicircular square, very attractive in its simplicity, is broken. Outside the city, not far from the gates of Alcala, a bullring was built. Finally, it should be noted that under Ferdinand VI, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando was finally formed. Being the bearer of new trends, she had a noticeable influence on the development of ideas and artistic tastes of enlightened Europe 11 Bunin A.V. Architectural composition of cities. - M.: Eksmo, 2000. - S. 115-118. .

The plans of Espinosa and Tomás López, drawn up in accordance with the main provisions of the "General Plan of Madrid", depict the green belt of the city. It includes the Buen Retiro. In the immediate vicinity of the park, the monumental gate of Alcala, the creation of the architect Sabatini, is depicted. He also built the gates of San Vicente, designed by Ribera. The gates of Alcala, San Vicente and Atocha became the three main entrances to Madrid. The Toledo gates did not have such architectural completeness, although the entrances to them in their beauty could overshadow and even surpass the rest of the entrance roads to the capital. Among the nobility, the spirit of rivalry is noticeably intensifying, which also contributes to the improvement of the appearance of the city. New palaces were built, in most cases surrounded by gardens, which, following the model of the Buen Retiro, were fenced with bars rather than stone walls. From this, the surrounding streets became more attractive.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the capital was destined to go through hard times. It seems paradoxical, but the very short reign of Joseph Bonaparte (1808-1813) played a significant role in the urban development of Madrid. He carried out what Charles III did not have time to do, and Charles IV did not want to do: to begin an intra-city restructuring. It was not carried out according to a general plan, but was carried out partially, affecting only some zones. Small squares appeared in them, for which Bonaparte was ambiguously dubbed the “king of the squares”.

Required land expropriated and created by demolishing houses. Such a policy affected the interests of churches, monasteries and private individuals. The churches of San Martin, San Ildefonso, San Miguel and Santiago were the first to disappear, followed by the monasteries of Saint Catalina and Saint Anna. A significant number of houses were demolished in what is now the Plaza de Oriente. After the church of San Juan, the monastery of San Gil, some private houses, the pelota playground, the Royal Library, the garden of la Priora, the streets of Parra, Buey, Tesoro, Carnero, etc., disappeared, the plan of Madrid, drawn up by Tomas López, ceased to exist. correspond to reality.

In the XIX-XX centuries. the reconstruction of the city was carried out, during which many medieval buildings were lost, and modernity replaced classicism in architecture. The Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Almudenta was built in this style. In 1929, a general plan for the reconstruction of the capital was adopted, which was redone in 1950. According to this plan, the city was transformed and rebuilt, mainly to the north, east and northeast. This led to the emergence of satellite cities such as Escorial and El Prado 11 Biryukov N.V. History of architecture. - M.: INFRA-M, 2007. - S. 127-130. .

Madrid does not stand still, and its appearance is changing in such a way that literally a five-year absence forces us to return to a completely new city.

Architecture of Madrid

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March 5th, 2018, 09:00 am

So, Retiro Park. The sculpture of the fallen angel is one of the few images of the devil in the world. And, I must say, his personality does not cause strong hostility, more like a person suffering from his disobedience.

In general, there are many monuments here, and many of them are good. Miguel Moya was the founder and first president of the Madrid Press Association. Next to him are the figures of a reporter and a typesetter.

General Arsenio Martínez de Campos took an active part in state affairs, which is not uncommon in Spain. In particular, he took part in the hostilities in Cuba against the rebels who fought for its independence.

An image of an ancient dentist?...

Lots of sculptures. Some of it looked quite homey.

The Palace of Velasquez was built in the Retiro Park in 1881-1883 for the National Exhibition, held in May-November 1883.
The palace is named after its architect.
After the exhibition, the government decided to keep the building. Today, Velázquez Palace belongs to the Spanish Ministry of Culture. It houses the Contemporary Art Hall of the Reina Sofia Center for the Arts.

The Crystal Palace was erected in 1887 to display the flora and fauna from the Philippines.

We have already looked at the monument to King Alfonso XII from afar in the previous part.

There are many people at its foot.

The pedestal is replete with sculptural groups, which in themselves are complete compositions.
Allegory of the world.

Allegory of progress.

Good bas-reliefs.

Proud and strict lions are watching the rest.

A chic colonnade frames the monument from the coast.

Here you can have a good rest.

And this one interesting monument remained unknown to me.

Leaving Retiro. The Church of San Manuel and San Benito was built from 1902 to 1910 with money from the will of the Catalan businessman of Italian origin Don Manuel Cavichioli and his wife Benita Maurici, who are now buried in it. Since 1954, the temple has been the location of the editorial office of the magazine "Religion and Culture".

The Alcala Gate was built from 1770 to 1778. In ancient times, this place was the outpost of Alcala with fortress walls. Later - an arch built by order of King Philip II in honor of the entry into Madrid of his wife, Margaret of Austria. The gate has five arches: three central ones were intended for carriages, and two side ones - for pedestrians. Open daily, at night they were closed with bars.

Palazzo de Linares was built in 1873 by the architect Carlos Colubi for the financier José Murga (Marquis de Linares).
During the 20th century, the palace changed owners, and in 1992 the socio-political center of the House of America was located here.

The Communications Palace was built from 1904 to 1917. It currently houses the City Council of Madrid. The inscription on the facade reads: "Welcome, refugees!". It is difficult to say how sincere this phrase is. But by that time, I did not notice the dominance of migrants in the city.

The Cibeles Fountain depicts the goddess of fertility of the earth, Cybele (in the Spanish version - Cibeles), riding a chariot with two lions, in which the goddess Aphrodite turned Hippomenes and Atalanta, forcing them to carry this chariot forever as a punishment.

Alcala Street goes into the distance. This is the longest thoroughfare in the city.

Crossed street.

Luxurious quadrigas were repeatedly observed on the roofs of houses.

Until now, cyclists have not met me very often. I think that in St. Petersburg their density is higher. Bicycle parking offers electric bicycles. As I understand it, the electric drive helps to pedal.

Bear and strawberry tree in Puerta del Sol. By the way, this is one of the symbols of the city.

The Post Office was built in 1761. The chime of the clock on its tower on December 31 announces the beginning of the New Year to the Spaniards. Currently, the building houses the government of the autonomous region of Madrid.