European Union Program
MADRID Spain
At a glance
Spain
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Politics: PM Mariano Rajoy from the conservative Popular Party took office in late 2011.The recession is spurring secessionist sentiment in Catalonia  Economy: Spain was hit hard in the 2008-9 global economic crisis and is deep in recession. Around 25% of Spaniards are unemployed  International: Spanish forces have taken part in multilateral missions and peacekeeping, including in Afghanistan. Spain claims sovereignty over the British overseas territory of Gibraltar Located at the crossroads of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, Europe and Africa, Spain's history and culture are made up of a rich mix of diverse elements. Through exploration and conquest, Spain became a world power in the 16th century, and it maintained a vast overseas empire until the early 19th century. Spain's modern history is marked by the bitterly fought Spanish Civil War of 1936-39, and the ensuing 36-year dictatorship of General Francisco Franco. After Franco's death in 1975, Spain made the transition to a democratic state and built a successful economy, with King Juan Carlos as head of state. The constitution of 1978 enshrines respect for linguistic and cultural diversity within a united Spain. The country is divided into 17 regions which all have their own directly elected authorities. The level of autonomy afforded to each region is far from uniform. For example, Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia have special status with their own language and other rights. Andalucia, Navarre, Valencia and the Canaries in turn have more extensive powers than some other regions. Asturias and Aragon have taken steps to consolidate language rights. In 2006 a Catalan referendum backed by the central government gave the region greater autonomy. The Catalans won nation status within Spain and the region's parliament gained extra powers in taxation and judicial matters, although the deepening recession and Catalonia's high indebtedness has spurred calls for independence from Spain. The country's regional picture is a complex and evolving one. One of Spain's most serious domestic issues has been tension in the northern Basque region. A violent campaign by the Basque separatist group Eta has led to nearly 850 deaths over the past four decades. Until 2008, the Spanish economy was regarded as one of the most dynamic within the EU. However, the mainstays of the economy were tourism and a booming housing market and construction industry, and so the global economic crisis of 2008-9 hit the country hard. The bursting of the housing bubble tipped Spain into a severe recession and by the end of 2011 the country had an unemployment rate of nearly 23% - the highest jobless rate in Europe. Austerity measures imposed by the government in an effort to reduce the level of public debt sparked a wave of protests. From Velazquez in the seventeenth century, through Goya straddling the eighteenth and nineteenth, to Picasso in the twentieth, Spain has the proudest of traditions in art. Flamenco music and dance are widely admired around the world while Cervantes' novel Don Quixote is one of the most popular ever written. Cinema is much loved and the films of directors such as Pedro Almodovar attract huge audiences.
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The Ultimate Madrid Bucket-List:
Eat a squid sandwich at Plaza Mayor
See Madrid from the top of the Circulo de Bella Artes building
See Picasso´s Guernica in the Reina Sofia Museum
Visit Km. 0, where all roads in Spain stem from (Puerta del Sol)
Walk through Cecilio Rodríguez's gardens
Enjoy flamenco after hours at La Soleá
Where to eat: Casa Labra – Serving up cod in many glorious forms since 1860. Very no frills. c/ Tetuán, 12 (Metro: Sol)
Chocolatería San Ginés has been the place to get churros con chocolate in the wee hours of the morning since 1894. Pasadizo de San Ginés, 5 (Metro: Sol/ Ópera)
Casa Mingo—The place for chicken! You will be loving this rustic cuísine after just one bite. Paseo de la Florida, 34
Isla del Tesoro – A standout vegetarian restaurant – quite an accomplishment in a city obsessed with jamón. Soothing atmosphere, killer veggie burgers, grainstudded breads and a nice selection of herbal teas. c/Manuela Malasaña, 3 (Metro: Bilbao)
Madrid— the capital of Spain, the heart of the country. If I could recommend you to do one thing here, it would be to go out on foot and explore this city. You could walk around the Plaza Mayor, enjoying the grand architecture, or take a stroll down Gran Via, the largest shopping street in Madrid. This city is your oyster, in a sense. And if you have an interest in art, you must spend some time in the Museo del Prado. They have such a great collection of Goya paintings; literally, you can view most of his ouevre here. If you want to take some time to yourself, go enjoy some churros. Churros are a very special item in Spain. They are deep fried batter sticks that you dip in a hot vat of chocolate. Amazing! And when is it normal to do this? Most Spaniards would agree that churros are enjoyed seldom, like on New Years or Christmas. However, you aren´t Spanish… so eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you are so inclined, try the sangria in this city. You may find it weird at first that they mix their local wine with soda, such as Fanta or cola, and add fresh fruit to it. However, it is a special concoction that should be savored slowly.
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Sights and Historical Places El Rastro Market Calle Ribera de los Curtidores The market, named after the Spanish word ‘rastro,’ or meat, was named after the meat and flea market that occurred here every Sunday during the 18th and 19th centuries. Shoppers are warned that while the market is intriguing, it can be full of pickpockets, so watch your wallets. Opening Hours: 7am-2:30pm on Sundays Palacio Real Palacio Real is the official residence of the Spanish Royal family, but is usually only used for state occasions. The palace was built during the 18th and 19th centuries, and visitors are welcome to tour the vast amount of rooms including the Royal Armory and the Royal Pharmacy. Opening Hours: Mo-Sat, 9am-6pm, Sunday, 9am-3pm Admission: €8 w/ Student I.D. Arab Wall Cuesta de la Vega, Emir Mohammed I Park The Arab Wall in Madrid dates back to the 700s, and was originally used as a guard for the city. It is all that remains of the Moorish military outpost, which later became the city of Madrid. The wall was built near the Mayrit, Arabic for ‘source of life,’ or a plentiful water source. It is believed that the city took its name from this word. Both Islamic and Christian remains have been found around the wall dating back to the 9th century. Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, The Real Madrid football stadium, is home to one of the the best team in football history. Tours can be taken of the grounds when there are not games going on. Tours include the pitch, trophy rooms, and players tunnel, among other things. If you have the time and are a football fan, this is a must see! Opening Hours: Mon-Sat, 10am-7pm, Sunday 10:30am-6:30pm Admission: €19
City Areas Defined Huertas/Atocha (Center) The center of Madrid is where most of the city’s historic sites are clustered and where tourists and study abroad students gather in droves. But in addition to its must-see art offerings and bustling streets straining with foot traffic, it offers some great shops and restaurants, fun activities and beautiful architecture. Malasaña What this laid-back barrio lacks in tourist attractions, it makes up for in bohemian character. This is where the 20- and 30-something locals live, love and loiter. La Latina La Latina is where madrileños spend their lazy Sundays. The neighborhood is loaded with mellow, affordable bars and restaurants and has several plazas and stretches of sidewalk where you can soak up the sun. Plus it’s home to Europe’s longest-running flea market, which attracts bargain-hunters from around the world.
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Royal Botanical Gardens Paseo del Prado The Royal Botanical Gardens date back to the 18th century and the Enlightenment. The gardens were inaugurated in 1781, and were the product of a beautification project in the city. There are over 5,000 species from around the world, as well as more exotic plants in the greenhouses. The gardens were declared a national monument in 1947 and continue to be a local favorite. Plaza Mayor The Plaza Mayor has been home to much of Madrid’s history. Since its creation in the 1560s, the square has been home to markets, festivals, bull fights, royal coronations, and executions. Today it is still used for public celebrations. The statue in the middle of the square is King Philip III, constructed in 1616. The largest building in the square is the Casa de la Panaderia, formerly a bakery, now the house of the municipality. The square also has a plethora or old and traditional shops around the edges, making the square very popular for tourists. Puerta del Sol Translated into English as the ‘Sun Gate,’ Puerta del Sol is the zero kilometer point for all Spanish roads. The Puerta del Sol was one of the original gates of the city wall (built in the 15th century), getting its name from the way the morning sun illuminated the gate. The Puerta del Sol is now one of the most prominent sites in Madrid, as well as one of the busiest. Parque del Buen Retiro Also known as Buen Retiro Park or the Park of the Pleasant Retreat, this is a 350 acre park found in the heart of Madrid. The park is built on the sight of the royal palace that stood until its destruction during the Napoleonic Wars. In the park there is the Estanque del Retiro, a large artificial lake with boats for rent. Throughout the park, different parts of the former palace can be found. Plaza de Espana Gran Via The Plaza de Espana is located close to the Palacio Real. The Plaza was once an army barrack, but was demolished and the square was created as a meeting place in the 1950s. The unique thing about this square is the statue honoring Cervantes. Miguel de Cervantes is a famous Spanish writer, most famous for his story of Don Quixote de la Mancha and his squire Sancho Panza. The statue is of his two characters on their horse and mule with Cervantes looking back at his cre-
Museums Museo del Prado Paseo del Prado The Museo del Prado was converted to a national history art museum in 1819 and now contains over 7,000 pieces. Less than half of the collection is on display, but the collection is filled with important works of art and artifacts from the royal archive. The museum is housed in a former palace that was built from 1808-1813. Opening Hours: Mon-Sat,10am-8pm, Sun, 10am-7pm Admission: 7€ (concession price) Page 5
Museo Arqueológico Nacional Calle Serranoo 13 The Museo Arqueológico Nacional was founded in 1867 by Queen Isabella. Its collection ranges from prehistoric times to the 19th century with pieces from cave paintings to medieval antiques. After the Museo del Prado, this is Madrid’s most important museum. Opening Hours: Tue-Sat, 9:30am-8pm; Sun, 9:30am-3pm Admission: 1.50€ Centro de Arte Reina Sofía Plaza Santa Isabel 52 The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia is the national museum of 20th century art in Spain. Informally known as Meuseo Reina Sofia, the Queen Sofia Museum, or The Sofia, the museum was opened in 1992. The museum is four floors, with its permanent collections on the second and the fourth. Some of the museum’s pieces include those from Picasso and Dali. Opening Hours: Mo, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am– 2:30pm, Tue closed Admission: 4€
Religious Sights Basilica de San Francisco el Grande Plaza de San Francisco This basilica was built in 1760 by Carlos III on the sight of a Franciscan convent, which was founded in 1217. The dome of the basilica is 108 feet in diameter, the largest in Spain, and is even larger than the dome at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. Opening hours: Tuesday-Friday 11-12:30 and 4-6:30, Saturday 11-12 Admission: €3 for a guided tour Catedral de la Almudena C. Bailén 10 This cathedral was built in 1883 by King Alfonso XII, and was the first stone cathedral in the city. The cathedral was built over the sight of the old city mosque during the Arab rule in the city. In the cathedral there is a statue of Madrid’s female patron saint, the Virgin of Almudena. The cathedral received its name after the statue was found in the city walls by the Christians after being hidden during the Arab invasion. The name of the cathedral came from the place in the wall where the statue was found. Convento de la Encarnación (Convent of the Incarnation) Plaza de la Encarnación 1 This convent was founded in 1611 by the wife of Felipe III. It was once connected to the Palacio Real through an underground passageway. Now less than a dozen Augustinian nuns still worship there. The church is filled with artistic and religious treasures, and has great acoustics for medieval and Renaissance choral concerts. Admission: €4
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Food The food of Madrid is a representation of both Spanish culture and international flavors. Madrid gastronomy has influences from the many groups that have settled in the city in history, including Andalusians, Galicians, Asturians, and Romans. With Madrid located in the middle of the country, it is sheltered from the coasts, and therefore is not flooded with fish, but at the same time is not dependent on meat in the meals. Here are some traditional dishes that can be found in Madrid: Cocido Madrileño-this is often known as the most typical Madrid dish. It is served in a hotpot with chickpeas, vegetables, garbanzo beans, pork, black sausage, and chicken. It is served in courses, the first being broth, the second vegetables, and finally the meat. Callos-smoked pork stew with wine or brandy Sopa de Ajo-garlic soup, a Spanish specialty. It´s kind of the best soup on Earth. Gazpacho-a blend of bread, vegetables, tomatoes, garlic, and water, served cold Bartolillos con crema-custard pie Bunuelos-a dessert fritter served with custard and has a whipped cream filling. Tapas-an appetizer that can be served warm or cold, often eaten between the end of work and dinner, various different actual plates.
Transportation Most of Old Madrid is most easily accessed on foot, but when you want to explore outside of the old city, Madrid has a good public transportation system to get you there efficiently. Tickets can be purchased from Metro stations, newsstands and estancos, or tobacconists. Tickets can be used for both the Metro and the bus. A single ticket costs €1, a book of ten trips costs €9.30. There are tourist passes up to 7 days, increasing in price for each day. The Metro is a quick and efficient way to get around town. Tickets must be stamped to get into the Metro network as well as again when you leave the Metro network. Be aware of pickpockets in the busy stations. Where the Metro doesn’t reach, the bus system can get you there. You can pay for the ticket on the bus or you can have your ticket before you get on, but make sure you validate the ticket. Most buses run from 6am-midnight, but there are also night buses. Taxis in Madrid can be identified by its white color and its red diagonal banner across the front door, as well as the city crest. They can be found throughout the city, but there are more of them downtown. If the bright green light is off it means the cab is in use. Most drivers speak little or no English so if you know no Spanish, pick a nearby landmark and walk from there to avoid confusion.
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Metro de Madrid