Madrid

Madrid is the capital and most populous city of Spain. Many people live there, and it is the second-largest city in the European Union, after Berlin. Madrid sits in central Spain near the River Manzanares.

The history of Madrid dates back many years. It became an important place for the Spanish royal court in 1561. Today, Madrid is a major political, economic, and cultural hub for Spain.

Madrid plays an important economic role in the European Union, with many important companies and banks there. The city is famous for its arts and culture, including world-renowned museums such as the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, located in the Golden Triangle of Art. Two famous football clubs, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, call Madrid home.

Etymology

The name "Madrid" has an unknown origin. There are different ideas about where the name comes from. One idea is that it comes from Latin, where a word might have meant “ford.” Another idea is that it comes from an Arabic word for “water stream” or “spring.” People sometimes call Madrid by nicknames such as “Los Madriles” or “La Villa y Corte,” which means “the town and court.”

History

Main article: History of Madrid

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Madrid.

The site of modern-day Madrid has been occupied since very old times. There are old remains of the Celtic Carpetani people, Roman villas, a Visigoth church near Santa María de la Almudena and three Visigoth grave places near Casa de Campo, Tetuán and Vicálvaro.

The first record about a settlement in Madrid dates from the Muslim time. In the 9th century, Umayyad Emir Muhammad I built a fort on a hill near the Manzanares river. He built many forts to protect the border between Al-Andalus and the kingdoms of León and Castile. The fort was to protect Toledo from attacks and to start attacks on Christian areas. After the break-up of the Caliphate of Córdoba in the early 11th century, Madrid became part of the Taifa of Toledo.

In 1083, Alfonso VI of León and Castile took Madrid. He wanted to use the town as a base to attack Toledo, which he took in 1085. After this, Christians lived in the city centre, while Muslims and Jews moved to the outskirts. Madrid stayed near the border for some time. It was attacked several times during the Almoravid period, and its walls were broken down in 1110.

Madrid became officially linked to the Crown in 1123 during the rule of Alfonso VII. The 1123 Charter set the first limits between Madrid and Segovia. From 1188, Madrid had the right to be a city and have a place in the courts of Castile. In 1202, Alfonso VIII gave Madrid its first rules for local government. These rules were made bigger in 1222 by Ferdinand III. In 1346, Alfonso XI changed the way the town was governed.

From the mid-13th century to the late 14th century, Madrid and Segovia argued over land near the Real de Manzanares area. Segovia was a strong town north of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains. After Sepúlveda became weaker, Segovia grew and spread along rivers to the north of Madrid and west along the Guadarrama river.

In 1309, the courts of Castile first met in Madrid under Ferdinand IV. Later meetings happened in 1329, 1339, 1391, 1393, 1419 and twice in 1435.

During the revolt of the Comuneros led by Juan Lopez de Padilla, Madrid joined the revolt against Charles, Holy Roman Emperor. After losing at the Battle of Villalar, Madrid was taken by imperial troops. The city was given the titles of Coronada (Crowned) and Imperial.

The number of people in the city grew from 4,060 in 1530 to 37,500 in 1594. In 1561, Phillip II chose Madrid for his court. This made Madrid the political centre of the monarchy and the capital of Spain, except for a short time between 1601 and 1606 when the court was moved to Valladolid. Being the capital helped Madrid grow. The population rose from about 18,000 in 1561 to 80,000 in 1598.

In the early 17th century, Madrid got stronger again after losing its capital status. Extreme poverty was still a big problem. This century was also a good time for theatre.

Madrid changed hands several times during the War of the Spanish Succession. It was taken by an army with Portuguese and English help in 1706, then taken back by the Bourbon army later that year. The Habsburg army entered the city again in 1710 but left soon after. Philip V entered the city on 3 December 1710.

In the 18th century, Madrid tried to be the centre for roads and transport in Spain.

Philip V built the Royal Palace, the Royal Tapestry Factory and the main Royal Academies. Charles III worked hard to make Madrid a true capital. He built sewers, street lights, cemeteries outside the city and many monuments and cultural places. In 1766, people protested against rules that banned traditional hats and long cloaks.

In the Peninsular War, Madrid was taken by French troops in 1808. On 2 May, people near the Royal Palace protested against the French plan to take the royal family to Bayonne. This led to a fight against the French troops that lasted hours and spread through the city. Many people were killed in the fighting.

Madrid was taken by a French army in 1823 to restore the power of Ferdinand. In the 19th century, only merchants were noticeable in Madrid. The University of Alcalá de Henares moved to Madrid in 1836 and became the Central University.

Madrid's economy grew in the second half of the 19th century. New industries included book publishing, construction and simple technology areas. Railway transport helped Madrid's economy and changed how people bought food. Electric street lights came in the 1890s.

In the early 20th century, the population nearly doubled to over 850,000. New areas like Las Ventas, Tetuán and El Carmen became homes for workers, while Ensanche became a middle-class area.

The Spanish Constitution of 1931 said Madrid was the capital. In the 1930s, Madrid was young and growing fast. Major building projects began, like extending the Paseo de la Castellana. Banking, insurance and telephone services grew. Reading and culture also grew.

The Republic caused a housing problem. Slums grew because of high population growth and poor people moving in. Building affordable homes could not keep up. Political trouble also hurt building. Anti-religious feelings and Catholicism existed together in Madrid; riots in May 1931 led to the burning of convents. However, a later attempt to take control in the city in 1934 mostly failed.

Madrid was one of the hardest hit cities in the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). It was a strong point for the Republican faction from July 1936 and became a symbol of fighting against fascist ideas during the war. The city was bombed from the air, and battles happened in the western parts in November 1936. The city fell to the Francoists in March 1939.

After the war, Madrid used ration coupons. Food was hard to find, and many people died from not enough food. Because Madrid had been a place for left-wing people, the winners thought about moving the capital, but they did not. The Franco regime focused on Madrid's history as Spain's old capital.

Madrid grew quickly as many people moved in from rural areas of Spain. This led to building many homes on the edges of the city, but many were poor quality. This caused differences in wealth. The south became industrial, and the north-west became home to a wealthier middle class from the 1960s Spanish economic boom. The south-east became a working-class area with cultural and political activity.

After the Francoist regime ended, the new 1978 constitution made Madrid the capital again. The 1979 municipal election brought Madrid's first elected mayor since the Second Republic.

Madrid saw big events like protests for democracy after a failed coup on 23 February 1981, called 23-F. The first elected mayors were from the centre-left PSOE (Enrique Tierno Galván, Juan Barranco Gallardo). From the late 1970s to the 1980s, Madrid became the centre of a cultural movement called la Movida.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Madrid grew stronger as an important place for business, culture, industry, education and technology in Europe. Under Mayor José María Álvarez del Manzano, many traffic tunnels were built. Later mayors, also from conservative parties, tried three times to host the Summer Olympics in 2012, 2016 and 2020 but were not chosen. In 2005, Madrid was a top place for people from developing countries to move to, and it was the biggest employer of workers from outside Europe in Spain.

In the early 2000s, Madrid faced growing differences in wealth and areas where people were separated by money. Madrid was a centre for anti-austerity protests in Spain in 2011. The 2008 financial and mortgage crisis caused more homes to be taken by banks and house evictions. Left-wing Mayor Manuela Carmena (2015–2019) helped bring back the natural path of the Manzanares river in the city.

Since the late 2010s, Madrid has faced challenges like high rent prices and too many betting shops in poorer areas, which has caused gambling problems for young people.

Geography

Madrid is in the middle of the Iberian peninsula on the Meseta Central, about 60 kilometers south of the Guadarrama mountain range. It covers the Jarama and Manzanares river valleys in the bigger Tagus River area. The city is at an average height of 650 meters, making it one of Europe’s higher capital cities.

Madrid has many green spaces, such as parks and forests. El Retiro is the most visited park, covering more than 1.4 square kilometers. Other important parks are Parque del Oeste, Casa de Campo, which has the Madrid Zoo and an amusement park, and the big forested area of Monte de El Pardo. These spaces let residents enjoy nature easily.

Madrid’s climate can feel warm in summer and cool in winter. Summer days often get above 35°C, and winter nights can be cold. The city gets less rain than many places, mostly in autumn and spring. Even so, Madrid’s parks help keep the city comfortable.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Madrid

Madrid has grown a lot since it became Spain's capital in the 1500s. Today, about 3 million people live in the city, and the nearby areas bring the total to over 6 million.

Many people from around the world have moved to Madrid, especially from Latin American countries. Most people living there today were born in Spain, but many others come from places like the Americas, Asian, and African nations. The city is known for having people who live longer than average in Europe.

Government

Main article: City Council of Madrid

See also: List of mayors of Madrid

Local government and administration

Main article: City Council of Madrid

Madrid’s city government is led by the City Council, called the Ayuntamiento de Madrid. It has the Plenary, the Mayor, and the Government Board. The Plenary has 57 elected members who help make big decisions for the city. The Mayor leads the city and guides the council’s work. Since 2019, José Luis Martínez-Almeida from the People’s Party has been the Mayor. The Government Board includes the Mayor, deputy mayors, and other leaders who take care of different city areas.

Capital of Spain

Madrid is the capital of Spain. The King of Spain lives in the Zarzuela Palace, and the Prime Minister works in the Moncloa Palace. Spain’s Parliament also meets in Madrid.

Regional capital

Madrid is also the capital of the Community of Madrid. The region has its own government that decides on things like schools and hospitals. The regional parliament meets in the Puente de Vallecas district, and the main office of the regional government is in the Puerta del Sol area.

Law enforcement

The Madrid Municipal Police keeps the city safe. Madrid is also home to important national police offices.

Administrative subdivisions

Main articles: Districts of Madrid and List of wards of Madrid

Madrid is divided into 21 districts, and these districts are split into 131 neighborhoods.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Madrid

After becoming the capital of Spain in the 16th century, Madrid grew as a place to provide goods and services. Important activities included banking and publishing.

In the 20th century, industry grew, and Madrid became Spain’s second industrial city. Today, Madrid’s economy focuses on services like finance, technology, and tourism. It is one of Europe’s biggest financial centers and hosts important companies and banks.

Madrid is a major center for business, with many companies and international firms. It also has many universities and research centers. The city attracts millions of tourists each year, and its strong service sector includes banking, trade, and transportation. Madrid’s central location makes it a key place for travel and business in Europe.

Culture

Architecture

Main article: Architecture of Madrid

Madrid has many interesting buildings. Some old buildings from long ago are not still standing. Important buildings from the Early Habsburg time include the Bridge of Segovia and the Convent of Las Descalzas Reales. In the 1600s, buildings like the Palace of the Duke of Uceda and the Plaza Mayor were built. The 1700s brought grand designs such as the Prado Museum and the Puerta de Alcalá.

In the 1800s and 1900s, Madrid grew with new neighborhoods and monuments. The Gran Vía is a famous street with many different styles. Today, there are modern skyscrapers like the Torre Picasso and the Cuatro Torres Business Area.

Museums and cultural centres

See also: List of museums in Madrid

Madrid has some of the world's best art museums, called the Golden Triangle of Art. This includes the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. The Prado Museum has many beautiful European paintings from old times. The Reina Sofía Museum has modern and new art, including Pablo Picasso's famous painting, Guernica.

Other important museums in Madrid include the National Archaeological Museum, which shows old objects, and the Royal Palace of Madrid, which has lovely old armors and weapons.

Language

The main language spoken in Madrid is Peninsular Spanish. People here speak with some special sounds. Many people from around the world live in Madrid now, adding to the city's language mix.

Literature

Madrid has been important for Spanish literature for a long time. Famous writers, like Lope de Vega and Francisco de Quevedo, lived in Madrid. Their homes are still there in an area called the Barrio de las Letras. Madrid is also home to important places like the Royal Spanish Academy and the Instituto Cervantes, which help keep the Spanish language and culture strong.

Cuisine

Madrid's food comes from all over Spain. A popular dish is cocido madrileño, a tasty chickpea stew. Another favorite is callos a la madrileña, made from cattle tripes. Fried squid is also common, often eaten in sandwiches. You might also find potaje, sopa de ajo (garlic soup), and patatas bravas.

Nightlife

Madrid is known for its fun nightlife. The city has many bars, dance clubs, and live music places that stay open late. Popular areas for nightlife include Plaza de Santa Ana, Malasaña, and La Latina. The Malasaña area is famous for its creative and unique style. The neighborhood of Chueca is lively, especially popular with the LGBTQ+ community.

Bohemian culture

Madrid has many places where artists and creative people meet. These include areas like Ópera, Antón Martín, Chueca, and Malasaña. There are also festivals celebrating art and culture. In neighborhoods like Malasaña and Lavapiés, you can find colorful cafés and galleries with local artists' work.

Classical music and opera

Madrid has important places for classical music and opera. The Auditorio Nacional de Música hosts many concerts and is home to the Spanish National Orchestra. The Teatro Real is the main opera house, putting on operas and ballets all year. The Teatro de la Zarzuela focuses on Zarzuela, a traditional Spanish musical style.

Feasts and festivals

San Isidro

The most important local celebration is the Day of Isidore the Laborer on May 15th. This is a public holiday in Madrid. People gather to dance, eat special foods, and celebrate their patron saint.

LGBT pride

Madrid's Pride Parade is one of the largest in the world. It started in 1977 and grows every year. In 2017, Madrid hosted WorldPride, welcoming over a million people. The parade celebrates diversity and inclusion, showing Madrid as a welcoming city.

Other

Madrid also celebrates other important days, such as the regional day on May 2nd, which marks a historic event. There are also religious festivals like the feast of San Antonio de la Florida and the feast of the Virgin of Almudena.

The Mad Cool music festival is a big event in the city, attracting many music fans each year.

Bullfighting

Madrid is home to Las Ventas, the largest bullring in Spain. It can hold almost 25,000 people and is a main place for bullfights from March to October. Bullfighting is a traditional event, especially during the San Isidro festivities in May.

Sport

Football

Madrid has several famous football teams. Real Madrid, founded in 1902, is one of the most successful clubs in the world, with many titles and many fans. They play at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Atlético Madrid, founded in 1903, is another top team that plays at the Metropolitano Stadium. There are also other teams like Rayo Vallecano and Getafe CF, which also compete in the top league.

Basketball

Real Madrid Baloncesto is a leading basketball team in Europe, with many championships. They play at the Palacio de Deportes (WiZink Center). Another team, Club Baloncesto Estudiantes, also plays there and has a long history in the sport.

Events

Madrid hosts many international sports events. The Vuelta a España cycling race finishes in the city each September. The Madrid Open tennis tournament is held in May at the Caja Mágica. Madrid will also host the Spanish Grand Prix in 2026 as part of the Formula One series.

Education

Main article: Education in Spain

Education in Spain is free and required from ages 6 to 16. The system is called LOE, short for Ley Orgánica de Educación.

Madrid has many public and private universities. Some of these are very old and known for their quality.

One important university is the National Distance Education University, or UNED. It offers education through distance learning for students who cannot attend classes in person. It is the largest university in Spain.

Another major university is the Complutense University of Madrid, or UCM. It is one of the oldest universities in the world and has two main campuses.

The Technical University of Madrid, or UPM, is Spain's top technical university. It shares a campus with UCM and has schools across the city.

The Autonomous University of Madrid, or UAM, is famous for its research in physics. Its main campus is in the north of the city.

Madrid also has several business schools, including IE Business School, known for its MBA programs. Other top business schools in Madrid include IESE Business School and ESADE Business School. These schools are among the best in the world and attract students from many countries.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Madrid

Madrid has many ways to get around, including roads, public transport, and airports. The city has rules to help keep the air clean.

The city has roads, buses, trains, and subways. There are also two airports. The main airport, Madrid-Barajas, is very busy and welcomes travelers from all over the world.

Road transport

Madrid Central

Cars that were not electric or hybrid, and did not belong to people living in Madrid, were not allowed in the Madrid Central area. This helped make the air cleaner.

Radial roads

Madrid is the center of many important roads in Spain. These roads go to places like Irún, Zaragoza, Barcelona, Valencia, Córdoba, Sevilla, Cádiz, Badajoz, and A Coruña. There are also roads that go around the city, called orbital roads. The busiest one is the M-30, which often has traffic.

Public transport

Madrid has many buses, trains, and subways. The subway, or Metro, is one of the longest in Europe with many stations and lines. The Cercanías trains connect the city with nearby areas. There are also many bus routes, including special night buses and airport shuttles.

Long-distance transport

Madrid is a major travel hub for Spain and Europe. It has many highways and is the center of Spain's high-speed rail system, connecting to cities like Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, and Málaga. There are also long-distance bus services to many places in Spain and Europe.

Airport

Madrid-Barajas Airport is one of the busiest in Europe. It has four terminals and is a major hub for flights to the Americas. There is also a smaller airport, Cuatro Vientos, used for both military and civilian purposes.

International relations

Madrid helps Spain connect with other countries. The city has many foreign embassies and important government offices.

Madrid is also home to many international organizations. These groups help with tourism, cooperation between countries, and other global issues. Madrid works with organizations like the United Nations and other major cities to support friendly relationships and shared goals.

Notable people

Main articles: List of people from Madrid and List of predilect and adoptive sons and daughters of Madrid

Madrid has been home to many famous people over time. Some well-known people from Madrid have done important work in art, sports, and politics. The city honors these people and what they have added to culture and society.

Honours

A natural feature called the Madrid Dome in the Aristotle Mountains, Graham Land, in Antarctica is named after the city of Madrid.