Madrid - Alive and Welcoming

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Today I left Istanbul after a week of fascinating discoveries and arrived in a very welcoming Madrid. The city of Madrid was founded by the Moors and its location was chosen by Emir Mohammed (852-886) as a strategic position to defend Toledo. The city's name, which is Arabic in origin, was reconquered from the Moors in 1085. At this time, most of the inhabitants worked in the fields as this was a very rural city. The Renaissance idea of a modern State began with the Catholic Monarchs. Charles 1 (1515 - 1555), who was the first ruler of the House of Austria, was very fond of Madrid as its rich vegetation and great variety of fauna made it ideal for hunting, the king's favourite pasttime. After the War of Spanish Succession (1701-1714) the House of Bourbon initiated its reign in Spain. Charles III (1759 - 1788) oversaw the construction of the famous Prado Museum. Around this time the aristocracy began to build fine palaces. Then, early in the 20th Century, University City was built near the heart of Madrid - where the prime minister currently lives. The Civil War took place from 1936 - 1939 after which the dictator General Franco ruled the county until his death in 1975. Today the city boasts a population of 4 million and Spain 44 million. Most immigrants come from Romania and Equador. Novelist, poet and playright Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, the Spanish novelist who wrote Don Quixote, which some consider the first modern novel and one of the best novels ever written. He also wrote Man of La Mancha. Also well recognised across the city is painter and print maker, Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (30 March 1746 - 16 April 1828). Goya was a court painter to the Spanish Crown and provided a model for the work of later artists like Manet and Picasso. Bull fighting still takes place every Sunday. There are two Marist schools in Madrid. One with 1800 students is near the airport and the other, with 1500 students is located at the centre of the city.

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Photos

Catholic Cathedral
The cathedral is located adjacent to the royal palace. It is named after the city's patron, St Isidore, a local 12th century farmer.

The Royal Palace
The palace took 26 years to construct spanning the reign of two Bourbon monarchs, Carlos III and Carlos IV. Although the present king does not live in the palace, it is still used for State occasions.