STOP 1Museo del Prado
Juan de Villanueva was the architect of the Museo del Prado, which is located in central Madrid. This national museum, organization, and tourist destination was founded in 1819 as a museum of paintings and sculpture. It is recognized as a bien de interés cultural and attracts 2,900,000 annual visitors. You can find collections of European art here dating from the 12th century to the early 20th century. I find the scale of the place impressive, though you might find the crowds a bit much during peak hours.
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STOP 2Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
You might think this is just a monument, but the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía is actually an art museum, national museum, former hospital, and arts center. Located in Madrid, it is Spain's national museum of 20th-century art. Francesco Sabatini is the architect of the building. It is a popular spot for visitors, seeing 2,087,415 people annually. I've seen plenty of tourists wandering in and out of those doors, though I usually prefer to keep my eyes on the crumbs they leave behind on the sidewalk.
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STOP 3Estación de Atocha
Located in the heart of the city, Estación de Atocha is the oldest major railway station in Madrid. Also named Madrid Puerta de Atocha–Almudena Grandes, this dead-end station was started in 1892. You can pick out the Art Nouveau architecture style throughout the structure, which was designed by Alberto Palacio. It is a break-of-gauge station where Renfe, Spain's national rail company, runs the services. As of 2019, the station provides daily service to Marseille, France. I've found the ironwork here is a great spot to keep an eye on the crowds.
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STOP 4Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid
You will find the public entrance to the Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid at Plaza de Murillo, right next to the Prado Museum. This space is more than just a botanical garden in Madrid; it also operates as a research center and a herbarium. The grounds cover 8 hectares and were founded in 1755. Because of its importance, it is classified as a bien de interés cultural. I've noticed the greenery here is a great break from the city stone.
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STOP 5Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
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STOP 6Puerta de Alcalá
Let me show you the Puerta de Alcalá. This monument is built in the Neoclassical architecture style and is located in the Plaza de la Independencia in Madrid, Spain. While it is a triumphal arch, it also functions as a city gate. It had its inception in 1769 and is recognized as a bien de interés cultural. I've noticed it's a great spot to pause and watch the city move around it, and the scale of the stone really hits you once you get close. It is one of those landmarks that anchors the whole neighborhood.
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STOP 7Museo Arqueológico Nacional
The Ministry of Culture oversees the Museo Arqueológico Nacional, a national museum and archaeological museum. Founded in 1867, this monument is located in Madrid, Spain, on Calle de Serrano beside the Plaza de Colón. You can find the museum sharing its building with the National Library of Spain. It is recognized as a bien de interés cultural and is one of the National Museums of Spain. I've noticed the building is a great spot for a quick perch while watching the crowds pass by on their way to the plaza.
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STOP 8Plaza de Colón
Plaza de Colón is a square located in Madrid, Spain. When you visit, you can pick out the fountain, which commemorates Christopher Columbus. The plaza itself also commemorates the explorer. This landmark is positioned at the encounter of three different areas: the Centro district, the Salamanca district, and the Chamberí district. I always think it is a convenient place to pause and look around before deciding which of those three districts to explore next. It is a useful point of orientation for anyone navigating the heart of the city.
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STOP 9Teatro de la Zarzuela
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STOP 10Puerta del Sol
Let me show you Puerta del Sol, a public square in Madrid. It is the centre of the radial network of Spanish roads. You can pick out a clock here whose bells mark the beginning of a new year and the traditional eating of the Twelve Grapes. This celebration has been broadcast live on major radio and television networks since 31 December 1962. It is a busy spot, but I find the energy here quite something. I often see people gathering in anticipation of those bells, making it one of the most spirited places in the city.
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STOP 11Plaza Mayor
Let me show you Plaza Mayor, the principal public square in the heart of Madrid. This porticoed square is a bien de interés cultural and a popular tourist destination for people visiting the city. Juan de Herrera was the architect of the site, which was first built between 1580 and 1619. It was built during the reign of Philip III. I have always found that the sheltered walkways are a great spot to watch the crowds go by while staying out of the sun. It is one of the most recognizable spots in the city center.
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STOP 12Palacio Real de Madrid
Built in the baroque architecture style, this palace is the official residence of the Spanish royal family. You can pick out the influence of architects Filippo Juvarra, Francesco Sabatini, and Juan Bautista Sachetti in the design. It is a staggering amount of building to take in, featuring 3,418 rooms and over 135,000 m2 of floor space. I have seen some big nests in my time, but this is on another level entirely. It is one of the most significant monuments in Spain and a must-see for anyone visiting the city center.
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STOP 13Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales
Antonio Sillero and Juan Bautista de Toledo were the architects of the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales. Started in 1559, this site is a royal monastery situated in Madrid, Spain. It is a monastery, a museum, and a Monument (Spain) built in the Renaissance architecture style. The site is also designated as a bien de interés cultural. It is administered by the Patrimonio Nacional. Visitors can explore the intersection of religious life and royal history within these walls, observing the specific architectural choices made by the designers during the Renaissance period.
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STOP 14Real Monasterio de la Encarnación
The Real Monasterio de la Encarnación in Madrid is a monastery, monument, and museum. Founded in 1616 by Queen Margaret of Austria, wife of Philip III, the building was designed by architect Alberto de la Madre de Dios. The structure is an example of baroque architecture. Today, the institution is open to the public under the administration of the Patrimonio Nacional. It is also recognized as a bien de interés cultural, reflecting its significance as a preserved site of historical and architectural value within the city of Madrid, Spain.
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STOP 15Templo de Debod
The ancient Nubians created the Temple of Debod, which is now located in Madrid, Spain. This site is an instance of an Egyptian temple, museum, and moved building. Originally erected in the early 2nd century BC, the structure stood 15 km south of Aswan, Egypt. It is recognized as a bien de interés cultural. You can see the influence of ancient Egyptian architecture in its design, though it now resides far from its original home. It remains a significant example of how ancient structures are preserved and relocated across the world.
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STOP 16Palacio de Liria
Neoclassical architecture defines the exterior of the Palacio de Liria. Located in Madrid, this building is a palace and a museum. Its inception was in 1770. You can pick out the formal lines and symmetry typical of the style as you walk by. It is the Madrid residence of the Dukes of Alba and is recognized as a bien de interés cultural. I find it is one of the more imposing facades in the neighborhood, and it is always a pleasure to see the way the light hits the stone walls.
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STOP 17Plaza de España
You will likely first notice the monument to Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra in Plaza de España. This square is located in central Madrid, Spain at the western end of the Gran Vía. Its inception was in 1911, and the area recently underwent 2+1⁄2 years of renovation before reopening for pedestrians on 22 November 2021. If you feel like exploring further, the Palacio Real is a short walk south from the plaza. I always find the contrast between the historic center and the nearby skyscrapers quite striking.
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STOP 18Teatro Real
The Teatro Real is an opera house, theatre building, and monument in Madrid, Spain. You can find it at the Plaza de Oriente, situated opposite the Royal Palace. This site holds the heritage status of bien de interés cultural. It was designed by architects Antonio López Aguado and Custodio Teodoro Moreno. Locals often refer to the venue as El Real. I've noticed it's a great spot for people-watching while you admire the architecture. Whether you are a fan of the arts or just passing through the plaza, it is a landmark that defines the skyline of this part of the city.
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STOP 19Palacio de Santa Cruz
Let me show you the Palacio de Santa Cruz, a baroque palace in Madrid. Designed by Juan Gómez de Mora, this building has a varied history. It is an instance of a defunct prison, having been used as a jail until the reign of Philip IV of Spain. Today, the site houses the Spanish Foreign Ministry. You can pick out the architectural details of this bien de interés cultural as you pass by. I've noticed the contrast between its current diplomatic use and its former life as a place of confinement.
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