|
|
Places to visit
INSIDE MADRID
Madrid is a city of great monuments. Among its highlights are the medieval center dating back to the Habsburg
Empire and the Prado Museum.
Madrid walks:
These walks allow one to get to know the history of Madrid through its different periods on foot.
MADRID OF THE “AUSTRIAS”.
In 1561 Felipe II made Madrid the capital of the Empire. The administration moved to Madrid and then many kinds of buildings arose such as palaces, squares and convents. All these buildings were built during the reign
of the dynasty of the Habsburgs, from Felipe I to Carlos II, who died in 1700.
http://www.descubremadrid.com/en/madrid_austrias1.asp
MADRID OF THE “BORBONES”.
The Borbon dynasty began with the arrival of Felipe V in 1701. During the reign of Carlos III some of the most representative monuments of the city were built:
The Puerta de Alcalá, Puerta del Sol and Plaza Cibeles
http://www.descubremadrid.com/en/madrid_borbones1.asp
Museums:
“MUSEO NACIONAL DE CIENCIAS NATURALES” (NATIONAL
MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCES). This museum hosts several of the most important
natural collections of Spain.
With more than 6 million specimens preserved in several collections, it
could be consider as one of the most important fauna centres of reference,
not only in Spain, but in the Mediterranean basin as well.
Jose Gutierrez Abascal, 2
http://www.mncn.csic.es
“MUSEO ARQUEOLÓGICO NACIONAL” (NATIONAL ARQUEOLOGICAL MUSEUM).
This museum preserves an important prehistoric collection and objects from the Middle Ages including the most important sculptures of Iberian culture: “La Dama de Elche” and “La Dama Oferente del cerro de los santos”, as well as a currency collection of 180,000 coins.
In addition, one can also see a copy of the Altamira cave painting placed in the garden.
Serrano, 13.
http://man.mcu.es/
“MUSEO DE AMÉRICA” (AMERICAN MUSEUM).
This museum hosts an important collection of silver and gold handcrafts from the inca period.
Other highlights are the “Códice Trocortesano” and the exceptional “Tesoro de los Quimbayas.”
Avda Reyes Católicos, 6.
http://museodeamerica.mcu.es/informacion.html
“MUSEO GEOMINERO” (GEOLOGICAL MUSEUM)
One of the most important rock, mineral and fossil collections in Spain is housed here. There are also geological and mining exhibits that
are specially noteworthy.
Río Rosas, 23. (“Instituto Geológico y Minero”)
http://www.igme.es/museo
“MUSEO NACIONAL DEL PRADO”.
The Prado museum is one of the most comprehensive and visited collections of paintings in the world. There are rooms dedicated to Goya,Velázquez,
El Greco, Zurbarán, Murillo and Tiziano as well as a large collection of Flemish works.
Paseo del Prado.
http://museoprado.mcu.es/ihome.html
“MUSEO NACIONAL CENTRO DE ARTE REINA SOFÍA (MNCARS)”.
Modern and contemporary art.
Highlights of the museum include excellent collections of Spain's two greatest 20th century masters,
Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. Certainly the most famous masterpiece in the museum is Picasso's great painting Guernica. The Reina Sofía also
has fine collections of the works of Juan Gris, Joan Miró, Julio González, Eduardo Chillida, etc.
Santa Isabel, 52
http://www.museoreinasofia.es/portada/portada_ING.php
“MUSEO THYSSEN BORNEMISZA”.
The Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza is an part of the "Golden Triangle of Art", which also includes the Prado and the Reina Sofia museums.
The Thyssen-Bornemisza completes the triangle collections by including works from German the English, Dutch and German schools as well
as impressionists, expressionists, and European and American paintings from the second half of the 20th century.
Paseo del Prado, 8
http://www.museothyssen.org/thyssen_ing/home.html
Parks:
“RETIRO”
As well as being one of the largest and most frequented parks in Madrid, the Retiro is known for its historical and artistic value.
http://www.esmadrid.com/monograficos/retiro/es/monografico.html
“CAMPO DEL MORO”
Located behind the Royal Palace, it is said it was where the Arab troops camped when besieging the then Fortress in 1109.
http://museoprado.mcu.es/ihome.html
OTHER PARKS
http://www.descubremadrid.com/en/madrid_verde1.asp
OUTSIDE MADRID
Surrounding places
ARANJUEZ
Aranjuez is a Royal City in the South of Madrid. It is located alongside the Tajo River. It was the place where the Spanish Kings rested during their summers in 18th Century.
It is also famous because it has a wonderfully large vegetable garden and because of its monuments such as the Royal Palace, the Tilling House, and its gardens
http://www.arannet.com/english/aranjuez/tourist1.htm
TOLEDO
Is one of the most important centers of European medieval history.
It was the capital of Spain from the Gothic period until 1560, therefore explaining its impressive medieval architecture.
The old city is located on a mountaintop, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
http://www.red2000.com/spain/toledo/
SEGOVIA
The old city is spectacularly situated atop a long, narrow promontory. It contains a wealth of monuments, including the cathedral, a famous ancient Roman aqueduct, the Alcázar, and various churches built in the Romanesque style
including San Esteban, San Martin, and San Millan. The old city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
http://www.travelinginspain.com/segovia.htm
Royal Palaces:
These palaces include some of the most historically important monuments in the western world. Their creation over the centuries has served as a stimulus
to Spanish culture, and their influence has been great in both Europe and Hispano-America.
Palacio Real de La Granja de San Ildefonso, Palacio Real de Madrid, Real Sitio
de San Lorenzo del Escorial, Palacio Real de El Pardo, Palacio Real de Aranjuez
http://www.patrimonionacional.es/home.htm
|
