Madrid is a city, at first glance, unremarkable. There are no iconic landmarks known all over the world: stone houses, cobblestones in side streets, squares that are similar to each other, monuments and fountains. But the Spanish capital has charm, enchants and makes travelers fall in love with itself, albeit not at first sight.
Attractions in Madrid
Walking around Madrid is best to start from the central square - Puerta del Sol. This is the heart of the city, where it is always noisy and fun. The next destination is Plaza Mayor. This square has witnessed public executions, inquisition courts, coronations, bullfights. All Spanish holidays are held in Plaza Mayor.
Art lovers should definitely visit the three main museums in Madrid: the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, the Reina Sofia Museum and, of course, the Prado. They can be called the "golden triangle", which contains the great masterpieces of art. The advantage of these museums is that they are not crowded and you can enjoy the creations of the great masters in a relaxed atmosphere.
Not far from Puerta del Sol is the Descalsas Reales Monastery. Here, starting from the 16th century, noble women fled, who did not want to marry for convenience. They brought with them a dowry, among which were works of art and numerous sacred relics, which made the monastery in the XVI-XVII centuries one of the richest in Europe. The nuns themselves lived almost from hand to mouth, having taken a vow of poverty.
Walking around Madrid, be sure to visit the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Mary de la Almudena. Its construction began at the end of the 19th century, different styles were mixed in architecture - from romanticism to gothic. The temple was built of marble and granite, the main decorations are sculptures of saints, wall paintings, a huge dome and embossed bronze doors.
What to bring from Madrid
You can't leave Madrid empty-handed, and the best gift would be a jamon, which you can buy at any butcher's shop or at the Jamon Museum located on Calle de Alcalá, the longest street in the Spanish capital. The colorful seller will not only help you choose the best ham, but also tell you a lot of interesting things about the most famous Spanish delicacy.
