Madrid Spain

Situated in the heart of the Iberian Peninsula, Madrid Spain has been the nation's capital since 1562. Because of this strategic central location and high altitude, Madrid Spain has a climate that is often characterized by cool winters and warm, dry summers.

As the capital, Madrid Spain is a cultural destination with its many great monuments, such as the medieval center that dates back to the Habsburg Empire. There is also the Prado Museum with its many collections of fine arts, paintings by famous artists, sculptures, and other art pieces.

But beyond the culture and elegance of Madrid Spain, the city is also vibrant metropolis populated by a cross-section of people, both Spanish and foreigners alike. There are many pubs, discotheques, cafes, and nightclubs to lose yourself in. The Spanish people are fun-loving and when you are in Madrid Spain, it shows.

Things to See

So what makes Madrid Spain worth a visit? Let's find out.

* Medieval Setting

Madrid Spain is one of the few truly modern cities in the world that lets you journey back in time to the time when the Moors still dominated the Iberian Peninsula. In Barrio de la Moreria, you will find a place where the Moors established their first law-court.

From here to three squares away, you will arrive at a place that comprise medieval Madrid.

Three plazas, the Plaza de la Paja, Plaza de San Andres, and Plaza de Cruz Verde, and buildings styled after the Mudejar, the church of San Nicolas de los Servitas, the tower of San Pedro el Viejo, and Casa de los Lujanes are some of the must-see sights in Madrid Spain.

* The House of Habsburg

Under the reign of the Habsburg emperor, Charles I of Spain, at the same time Charles V of the German Empire, Madrid Spain flourished as one of the commercial and cultural centers of the Habsburg Empire. However, it was Philip II who made it the capital of Spain.

To date, there are still buildings that belong to this Habsburg epoch of Madrid Spain, most of which are of the Renaissance or Baroque styles.

You can start with Puerta del Sol, at the center of town, before following some narrow streets that lead to the Descalzas Reales, the Monastery de la Encarnacion, Palacio de Uceda, and the Plaza de la Villa.

From the Plaza de la Villa with its many beautiful and interesting buildings, you can also check out places like the Cathedral of San Isidro, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Casa de Lope de Vega (home of Lope de Vega, the famous writer), which incidentally is standing on the street named after another great writer, Calle Cervantes.

There are, of course, many more great places to see in Madrid Spain. But let's leave the rest as a surprise when you visit.