Madrid, Spain — Overview
Madrid is the regal Spanish capital, a financial and political core. It is home to the Royal Family as well as the extraordinary cultural riches of the Golden Triangle - the Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza art museums. The labyrinthine streets of the medieval quarter contrast with the grand boulevards, laid out in the 18th and 19th centuries when Madrid began to take on the trappings of a modern capital. Each of Madrid’s neighborhood is distinctive - Lavapiés, Malasaña and Chueca being the oldest. Many visitors get to know the central area, between the Palacio Real and the Puerta del Sol, Madrid's 'mile zero'. It’s only a short walk from here to Madrid’s main street, the Gran Vía. At the northern end of the Paseo de la Castellana are the 'leaning towers' of the Puerta de Europa (Gateway of Europe), a daring display of architecture that symbolises the city's confidence.
