Madrid

Lore & Background

The primitive core of Madrid, a walled military outpost, dates back to the late 9th century, under the Emirate of Córdoba. Conquered by Christians in 1085 (specifically May 1085) under King Alfonso VI, it consolidated in the Late Middle Ages as a sizeable town of the Crown of Castile. The development of Madrid as an administrative centre was fostered after 1561, as it became the permanent seat of the court of the Hispanic Monarchy. The following centuries were characterised by the reinforcement of Madrid's status within the framework of a centralised form of state-building.

In Their Own Story

As the late afternoon sun stretches golden shadows across the Plaza Mayor, the air thickens with the sweet, cinnamon-dusted scent of churros and melting chocolate, clashing playfully with the dry dust of centuries. An elderly local leans against a red brick archway, eyes half-closed as tourists click shutters while Madrileños weave through the crowd, their laughter bouncing off stone facades that have witnessed empires rise and fall. Inside a cramped tapas bar, the rhythmic clatter of ceramic plates and the low, fervent hum of conversation form a warm cocoon against the cooling air. But as twilight deepens into the 'blue hour', the city’s true pulse ignites; streets overflow with bodies spilling from bars, voices swelling into a raucous chorus that refuses to fade until dawn—proof that in Madrid, sleep is merely a suggestion.

Reader's Guide

Madrid is one of Spain's leading destinations for international tourism. In 2023, it ranked second among Spanish tourist destinations with 5,757,815 international visitors. Madrid's main international source markets include the United States, Italy, France, the United Kingdom and Mexico. Its landmarks include the Plaza Mayor; the Royal Palace of Madrid; the Royal Theatre with its restored 1850 Opera House; the Buen Retiro Park, founded in 1631; the 19th-century National Library building containing some of Spain's historical archives; many national museums; and the UNESCO World heritage 'Golden Triangle of Art', located along the Paseo del Prado and comprising three art museums: the Prado Museum; the Reina Sofía Museum, a museum of modern art; and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, which complements the holdings of the other two museums. The mayor is José Luis Martínez-Almeida from the People's Party.

Did You Know?

• The origin of the name 'Madrid' is unknown, with several theories including a Latin, Celtic, Arabic, or Mozarabic origin.
• Madrid's urban agglomeration has the second-largest GDP in the European Union.
• Madrid houses the headquarters of UN Tourism, the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB), the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI), and the Public Interest Oversight Board (PIOB).
• Madrid is home to football clubs Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid.