Western Europe Kingdom of Spain Spain Reino de Espana Madrid Madrid is the capital and most-populous city of Spain. The city has almost 3.4 million inhabitants and a metropolitan area population of approximately 6.7 million. Madrid lies on the River Manzanares in the center of both the country and the Community of Madrid region, of which it is also the capital. As the capital city of Spain, seat of government, residence of the Spanish monarch, Madrid is also the political, economic and cultural centre of the country. Madrid Spain summer 2006 The city is located on the river Manzanares in the centre of both the country and the Community of Madrid. While Madrid possesses a modern infrastructure, it has preserved the look and feel of many of its historic neighbourhoods and streets. According to legend Madrid was founded by Ocno Bianor (son of King Tyrrhenius of Tuscany and Mantua) and was named "Metragirta" or "Mantua Carpetana". The Gran Via ("Great Way") street is an urban esplanade in central Madrid, Spain. It leads from Calle de Alcala, close to Plaza de Cibeles, to Plaza de Espana. The street, sometimes referred to as the "Spanish Broadway", is one of the city's most important shopping areas, with a large number of hotels and large movie theatres; however, since the late 2000s, many of these theatres have been replaced by shopping centres. The Gran Via serves as a showcase of early 20th-century revival architecture, with architectural styles ranging from Vienna Secession style, Plateresque, Neo-Mudéjar, Art Deco, among others. Madrid Spain walking around summer 2006 After the death of Franco, emerging democratic parties accepted King Juan Carlos I as both Franco's successor and as the heir of the historic dynasty. Cibeles Palace (Spanish: Palacio de Cibeles), formally known as Palacio de Comunicaciones (Palace of Communications) and Palacio de Telecomunicaciones (Palace of Telecommunications) until 2011, is a complex composed of two buildings with white facades and is located in one of the historical centres of Madrid, Madrid is full of green spaces and parkland. In central Madrid the largest park is Parque del Retiro, spreading out to the north-east of Atocha Railway station. Lake, boats and the Alfonso XII monument. The Buen Retiro Park (Parque del Buen Retiro), Retiro Park or simply El Retiro. Atocha Railway Station is not only the city’s first and most central station but also home to a distinctive indoor garden with 4,000 square meters of tropical plants. Madrid Spain walking around summer 2006 The Prado Museum, Spanish: Museo del Prado, officially known as Museo Nacional del Prado, is the main Spanish national art museum, located in central Madrid. It is widely considered to have one of the world's finest collections of European art, dating from the 12th century to the early 20th century, based on the former Spanish Royal Collection, and the single best collection of Spanish art. The city has venues for performing alternative art and expressive art. They are mostly located in the centre of the city include in Opera, Anton Martin, Chueca and Malasaña. From the mid-19th century until the Civil War, Madrid modernised and built new neighbourhoods and monuments. The Golden Triangle of Art is a must visiting madrid, located along the Paseo del Prado and comprising: the Prado Museum, the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum, and the Reina Sofia Museum. Madrid Spain walking around summer 2006 There are also several festivals in Madrid including the Festival of Alternative art the Festival of the Alternative Scene. The Plaza Mayor (English: Main Square) is a major public space in the heart of Madrid. It was once the centre of Old Madrid. It was first built (1580%u20131619) during the reign of Philip III. Only a few blocks away is another famous plaza, the Puerta del Sol. The Plaza Mayor is for the people of Madrid and tourists to shop, walk around, eat, and enjoy the outdoors. I love this billboard and to wear pois dresses. Madrid 2006 Madrid, Las Ventas, Plaza de Toros (bullring) Spain. Madrid hosts the largest Plaza de Toros (bullring) in Spain, Las Ventas, established in 1929. Las Ventas is considered by many to be the world centre of bullfighting.