Madrid is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. It harmoniously combines modern business centers and old medieval quarters, a special atmosphere of the city is added by many temples and cathedrals - real monuments of world architectural art. Our guide will tell you about the most interesting places. It will be very comfortable for a traveler to move around the city, because the public transport system works strictly according to the schedule, connecting remote parts of the city with each other.
Tourists will be able to see the main attractions of Madrid using the local metro lines. The city is also famous all over the world for its architectural monuments. These include both old palace complexes and entire city squares. The most striking examples of the Middle Ages are the Royal Palace, Cibeles Square, España Square and many others.
Plaza Mayor
One of the most famous European squares. Now it is called the main one, and the poet Lope de Vega called it “The Navel of Spain”. Plaza Mayor was built at the beginning of the 17th century during the reign of Philip III. Now the monument to the king stands in the center of this city landmark and is an integral part of its architectural ensemble.
The square is located in the central part of the capital. This is the intersection of Calle de Toledo and Calle de Atocha, Plaza Mayor 2801. This area is called "Austrian Madrid". Plaza Mayor is surrounded by old three-storey buildings with many balconies. This place accommodates a huge number of people - up to fifty thousand. During the time of the Habsburgs, the square was an urban stage. The most massive entertainment events were held here: knightly tournaments, weddings of noble townspeople, bullfighting and public executions.
Now it is a lively place where locals and guests of the city love to relax. There are many shops with souvenir products, cafes with delicious pastries and aromatic coffee, street musicians and artists. On weekends, antiques, coins and other valuable trifles are brought out to the square.
Basilica of Saint Michael
A unique monument of architecture in the Baroque style. In November 1984, the King of Spain issued a decree in which this site was awarded the title of National Historic Landmark of Spain. The object is located in the central part of "Old Madrid", built in 1739 at the direction of the Archbishop of Toledo, who provided funding for the construction in the amount of 1,421 thousand reais.
The basilica was built for 7 years with the participation of several architects. Chief among them is considered the Italian Santiago Bonavia, who was personally invited by the King of Spain Philip V. in 1731. The architect Teodoro Ardemans began the development of the project, created the first sketches of the future masterpiece, and the final stage of construction was carried out under the direction of Virgilio Rabaglio.
The Basilica of St. Michael has an unusual architecture - the shape of a Latin cross, a domed facade, which is united by several sculptural compositions. Two spiers rise above the façade, adorning the towers in the oriental style. Inside, the basilica is richly decorated with frescoes, paintings by great painters, old sculptures, moldings and carvings. At the end of the 20th century, the building was decorated with stained glass windows and sculptural images.
Royal Palace
The main attraction of the capital. It is one of the largest operating royal residences in Europe. It was built on the site of the city fortress, which was not only a defensive structure, but also the permanent residence of the Spanish kings. After a fire that destroyed this building, the best architect in Spain, Filippo Juvarra, developed a construction project that surpassed both Versailles and Buckingham Palace in size.
Construction began under the reign of King Philip the Fifth, the first representative of the Bourbons. The new palace was built from 1738 to 1751. Its construction was completed during the reign of Charles III. This monarch was a great admirer and connoisseur of the art and culture of his native kingdom. Therefore, the best creations of European culture were collected in the halls of the palace.
Now this unique masterpiece of Spanish culture is used by the royal family exclusively for official ceremonies and receptions. Official celebrations are held here. The rest of the time, the halls of the Eastern Palace (as it is called in Spain) are open to tourists all year round.
Almudena Cathedral
A majestic structure, which is considered part of the Palace complex. It echoes in style with the Royal Palace, which stands next to the Armory Square. The construction of this cathedral was difficult, lengthy, and stopped altogether during the Civil War. From the laying of the first stone (in the 80s of the 19th century) to the completion of work in the 90s of the 20th century, a lot of time passed: rulers, architects, tastes and preferences changed.
As a result, the cathedral can be considered a unique creation of neoclassicism, and its magnificent dome is an example of the new baroque. It has significant dimensions - the length exceeds 100 m, the height is more than 70 m, but does not make a cumbersome impression, but only emphasizes the greatness of Catholicism. This is the only Spanish cathedral that was consecrated by Pope John Paul II. The temple has a rich decoration: a neo-Gothic style of interior interiors, a marble altar, a crucifix of the 17th century and paintings, sculptures and decorations of the great masters of past eras (Francisco Rizzi, Juan of Burgundy, etc.).
Sabatini Gardens
The creation of the landscape master Fernando Mercadal, which is dedicated to the memory of another genius Spaniard - the architect Francesco Sabatini. The gardens occupy a significant area - 2.5 hectares and are located on the north side of the Royal Palace. This green island is made in the style of neoclassicism - it amazes with its perfection and forms, the severity of the geometry of plantings and alleys, the impeccability of the design of green spaces: conifers are professionally trimmed, elder and boxwood bushes are transformed into perfect labyrinths, the garden smells of lilies and magnolia, gives coolness on a hot day and fills the space with sonorous bird voices.
Construction of the Sabatini Gardens began in 1933 and continued with varying intensity until 1978, when King Juanos Carlos I of Spain held their inauguration ceremony. One of the parts of the garden has a beautiful pond. Statues of Spanish kings are installed here, there is a picturesque staircase that leads to a Madrid street. According to most tourists, this picturesque place is most suitable for memorable photos.
Spain square
It is located in the central part of the city and serves not only as a resting place for residents and guests of the city, but also as a convenient transport interchange. The decision to make an urban area on the territory of 36,900 square meters, clearing this place of old buildings, was made at the beginning of the 20th century.
Plaza de España is one of the most beautiful sights. It is decorated with fountains that are illuminated at night, a beautiful Stele and a sculptural composition dedicated to the famous Cervantes and his characters (Don Quixote and Sancho Panza). The architectural ensemble is complemented by the appearance of two high-rise buildings. These are the "Tower of Spain" and "Madrid Tower", which are considered the hallmark of the city.
There are plenty of places to rest in the square: comfortable benches and powerful trees with a rich green crown, which give coolness on a sultry day. This is one of the most favorite places for recreation and entertainment - during the holidays, fairs and holiday sales are held here.
Descalsas Reales monastery
The uniqueness of this monastery is that it is located in the royal palace, in the capital of Spain. Founded in the 16th century (1559), the most famous Spanish architects of that time took part in its construction. The Order of Saint Poor Clara settled here, and the monastery complex was intended exclusively for the needs of the aristocratic elite.
This monastery is considered the richest in Europe, because all the values that it has cannot be spent or sold. Therefore, works of art, other values that the Order has at their disposal, remain here forever. Ordinary tourists can view the treasures accumulated within these walls over the past four centuries. Here is a unique collection of ancient cult objects, sculptures, paintings, unique furniture, etc.
The monastic buildings have survived the 400th anniversary and are now included in the list of architectural structures of particular value for the culture of Spain - in the List of National Treasure.
National Prado Museum
This museum complex is inferior in size to the famous Louvre and the Hermitage, but in terms of the number of masterpieces of world art it is next to them. Despite the small (relatively) size - only 53,000 square meters, 1,300 works of painters are presented here for viewing, and about 7,000 masterpieces are kept in closed storerooms. It is within these walls that the complete collection of the European school of fine art is collected - paintings by Bosch, El Greco, Velazquez and other genius artists of the world magnitude.
The collection began to form back in the 16th century, during the reign of Charles the Fifth. Since that time, the monarchs began to collect masterpieces and pass them on to their heirs. Construction of the building to display art objects began in 1775 under the direction of the architect Juan de Villanueva. The exhibition halls were opened to the public in 1819. The celebration took place with the participation of the wife of King Ferdinand the Seventh, Isabella of Bragan.
Gate of Toledo
This building was built on the site of the fortress gate, from which in the 15th century there was a road from Madrid to the city of Toledo. The fortress wall that surrounded the city in the Middle Ages was gradually dismantled as unnecessary, and the gates were rebuilt by order of King Philip the Fourth (1625)
The new gates became a decoration of the city, they were located closer to the center and performed an exclusively decorative function.
In 1817, this object underwent a large-scale reconstruction. The architect A. L. Aguado proposed a grandiose project, on the embodiment of which the builders worked for ten years. The result is a magnificent architectural monument. This granite structure is a semicircular arch, which is complemented on both sides by rectangular spans.
There is an inscription in Latin above the central part of the gate. She says that this magnificent architectural monument was built in honor of King Ferdinand VII, under whose leadership the liberation war against French usurpation was fought. This is the gratitude of the people to their victorious king.
Alcala gate
They were built by the famous Italian architect of the 18th century - Francesco Sabatini, who took part in other important construction projects, for example, in the completion of the royal palace. Initially, this architectural object was a functioning main entrance to the capital. And among the common people, these gates are still called "sheep's", as the road to pastures for cattle led from them.
The style of this architectural monument is a mixture of baroque and classicism, which manifests itself in the perfection of proportions, forms, the severity of lines, the graceful beauty of the decorations and details of the composition. The gates have several passages: three are located on the pediment and two on the sides. They are decorated with sculptures by Francisco Gutierrez, who installed figures of Glory and Genius above the central aisle, and sculptural images of Courage, Wisdom, Justice and Confidence above the side ones.
This architectural complex looks especially impressive at night, when each part of the design of the monument is highlighted. Various ceremonies, parades and processions take place in front of the gate. This place is famous for the fact that in 1921 the Prime Minister of Spain Eduardo Dato was killed here at the hands of anarchists.
Theater Royal
This is one of the best European stages, where not only opera arias are sounded, but also popular contemporary performers - Sting, Pet Shop Boys and others - perform. The Royal Opera House was built in 1850 in just six months opposite the Royal Palace at the direction of Elizabeth II. It is a hexagonal building with great acoustics and additional rehearsal rooms, lounges and cafes.
Architects Don Antonio Lopez Aguado and Don Custodio Moreno successfully solved the problem of building a theater that would not be inferior to the famous La Scala (Milan) and San Carlo (Naples). The style of the building perfectly matches the Royal Palace and is an example of a spectacular mix of styles. This architectural monument combines classical severity of lines and rich decoration, corresponding to the status of the Royal Palace.
The last reconstruction and repairs were carried out in 1997. Since then, everything has remained unchanged: a hall for 1,854 spectators, 28 ornate boxes for an elite audience and one bunk box for the Royal Family. Interestingly, the Royal Box is adorned with decorative elements made of natural gold. It's easy to get into the theater. There are performances that you can come to without an appointment.
Monastery of Encarnacion
It was founded in 1611 at the initiative of Queen Margaret of Austria, which is why it is called Las Margaritas in Spain. This is a functioning convent, which is intended to be a reminder of the tragedy of 1609 - the expulsion of the Moriscos from Madrid. The opening of the monastery took place in 1616. It was a solemn event attended by the King and his family. The monastery is inhabited by novices from the highest social strata, it has significant values and is considered one of the richest in the country. In an architectural sense, it is an example of Spanish architecture of the mid-17th century.
The architects adhered to a strict, laconic style, did not use decorative elements with ornaments. In the 18th century, after a fire suffered, the monastery church was somewhat rebuilt, elements of neoclassicism appeared in the design. Encarnacion has a huge collection of very valuable works of art: the walls of the temple are painted by Luca Giordano and decorated with works by Francisco Bayeu. There are paintings by Jose de Ribera and Vincenzo Carducci, etc.
San Miguel Market
It is located in the center and serves not only for the purchase of fresh products from all over the world, but also for a pleasant pastime - not only guests of the city, but also locals love to "hang out" here in tapas bars. Market opening hours are practically unlimited - at any time of the day there is a cozy "corner" with aromatic coffee, which is poured in a special way, and fresh pastries.
The market acquired its present appearance in the 19th century, when an iron frame was built. Before that, the territory, the size of a city block, was not well-groomed, the dirt from the shelves of outlets spoiled the lives of residents of neighboring houses. Now this territory is landscaped: there are ceramic decorations on the stalls, gas lamps are turned on, trade counters have spectacular illumination and an interesting design.
The market has three parts. The first is the sale of bakery products and all kinds of baked goods. The second is seafood. Vendors sell the freshest seafood delicacies, red and black caviar, etc. The third is the tapas sector, where you can treat yourself to traditional Spanish food (paella, cheeses with olives, small pintxos sandwiches).
National Library of Spain
This is an architectural monument of Europe. The unique neoclassical beauty of this institution makes it look like a palace. The facade is decorated with sculptures - visitors to the library are greeted with images of great cultural figures of the world. Inside, the building is adorned with magnificent paintings, exquisite decorative details and sculptural compositions. The library is very large - the interior space is 1400 square meters.
It is divided into 8 thematic rooms. The most valuable bibliographic copies are presented in the General Hall. The Cervantes Hall is dedicated to the work of the great writer and his works. The Goya Hall contains not only paintings and reproductions, but also old maps, photographs of originals of rare books, reference books. The Barbiri Hall is dedicated to music, and the History Hall is dedicated to the history of the National Library itself.
Over a three-hundred-year history, the library has accumulated a huge number of rare bibliographic publications, unique books and other values. In total, more than 27 million copies are kept here (books, newspapers, magazines, paintings, etc.). This is the most authoritative library in the country.
Royal Cathedral of Francis the Great
A rather modest building from the outside stands on the site of a destroyed old Franciscan monastery. This monastery was founded by Saint Francis in the early 13th century. Famous Spanish architects worked on the construction of the cathedral, which opened its doors to parishioners in 1760: Francisco Cabezas, Antonio Plo and Francesco Sabatini. The building is round in shape.
Made in a restrained style - typical neoclassicism. The interior decoration is striking in its sophistication and wealth. A huge dome (58 meters high, 33 meters in diameter), which is considered the largest in Spain and one of the largest in Europe, emphasizes the greatness of this cathedral. The main entrance is made of walnut wood. The basilica is decorated with seven chapels, which contain unique works of art (works by Goya, Zurbaran, etc.).
The interior decoration impresses even the discerning traveler. The cathedral is constantly being restored (repair work has been going on for thirty years), trying to preserve its original grandeur as much as possible. The Royal Cathedral is an honorable burial place of Spanish celebrities - famous politicians, national heroes, significant figures of culture and art, public figures.
Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando
In the very heart of the city, there is a uniquely beautiful building that is a real temple of the arts. Now the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando is not only an educational institution, a museum, but also the headquarters of the Madrid Academy of Arts. It is located on Calle Alcala. This old building (1689) is the creation of the famous Spaniard of those times - the architect Jose de Churriguera (1665-1725). It was built in the heyday of the Baroque, so it amazes with the richness of the decor and the grace of forms. Over time, the front part has changed somewhat.
In 1774 the Spanish architect Diego de Villanueva decided to remove the decorative elements typical of the Baroque style. By this time, the Art Academy was already located here. Painting, architecture and sculpture were taught here. Over time, a music faculty was opened in this educational institution (1873), and in the 20th century, the Academy opened the faculties of photographic art (1987), television and cinematography.
The Academy was led by outstanding figures of culture and art, among its best students were Rubens, Salvador Dali and many other world famous personalities. The Academy has its own art museum, which houses paintings by Francesco Goya, Rubens, Juan de Zurbaran, Dali and other outstanding artists of world importance.
Temple of San Andreas
This is one of the parts of the temple complex located in the ancient area of the capital of Spain - La Moreria. This architectural ensemble also includes the chapels of San Isido and Obisto. San Andres is one of the oldest churches in the capital. It was first mentioned in historical documents dating from the beginning of the 13th century.
It was built in the Baroque style, so it immediately attracts attention with its rich decor. The dome of the temple is decorated with figures of cherubs. The interior decoration combines skillful stucco molding, precious marble finishing and a magnificent altarpiece. It is believed that it stands on the site of an older church dating back to the Islamic period of the city's history. San Andreas is located on the eponymous square of the capital.
The San Andreas complex is the resting place of the remains of Saint Isidore (patron saint of the city) and the famous Spanish writer and musician Vicente Espinel (also known as the “father” of the Spanish guitar). A visit to this complex will be interesting, both from the point of view of history and aesthetics of architecture, and from the point of view of interest in the religious shrines of Christianity in general.
Church of San Pedro el Viejo
The Temple of San Pedro el Viejo is located on Calle Nuncino in the capital of Spain. This is a very interesting historical building, since the tower of the temple is a building that has survived from the old Arab fortress Maherit, once historically this part of the city was the Moorish quarter. The name San Pedro el Viejo was given to the church at the end of the 19th century, before that it was known as San Pedro el Real.
Over the centuries, the temple has been repeatedly rebuilt and changed, only the tower has practically not changed, today it looks the same as hundreds of years ago, and in its outline you can catch its “Islamic past”. Fans of architectural mysteries will be interested to know that the top of the tower is slightly deviated from the central axis.
As a religious building, the church was founded by Alfonso XI of Kstil and León in the XIV century, the church became the gratitude of the monarch to the higher powers after the conquest of Algeciras. Like many old buildings, this temple was not erected from an empty place, but rebuilt from an older building (the Mesquita de la Morelia Mosque).
Sacramento Church
Not far from the Cathedral of Almudena and the Royal Palace, in a small square off Calais Mayor, there is a small but very picturesque church of Sacramento. This temple is an architectural monument of the 17th century, this building is everything that has survived to this day from the monastery ensemble of Santimo Sacramento.
The monastery was founded by the Duke of Useda, later it suffered from the Spanish Civil War, and later was demolished for the construction of a residential area. The only thing that allowed the church to survive was that it was the main temple of the monastery. On the facade of Sacramento, the figure of an angel stands out (it was installed in memory of the tragic events of May 31 in 1906). Thirty people died due to the fault of the anarchist Mateo Morral, who threw a bomb at the wedding cortege of King Alfonso XIII (the royal couple were not harmed).
The façade is entirely made of granite and the building is made of bricks. The facade is also decorated with a bas-relief, the author of which is not known, and its execution dates back to the 18th century. The bas-relief depicts Saints Benedict and Bernard at the sacrament of the Annunciation. Inside the church there is an atrium decorated with paintings.
Church of San Isidro
Before the Cathedral of Amuldena became the Cathedral of Madrid in 1993, this honorary title was held by the cathedral church of San Isidro. This architectural structure is within walking distance from the main city square of the capital - Plaza Mayor. The temple is named after St. Isidore famous for his miracles. The most widely known miracle of St. Isidore is the change in the water level in the well into which his son fell.
The boy was saved, thanks to the prayers of his father, the water level in the well rose, and the child was able to get to the surface. The temple was built in the refined Baroque style. The construction was ordered by monks of the Jesuit order.After the expulsion of the Masons from the country, King Charles III ordered to completely change the interior decoration and interior of the temple. The altar retablo and the church presbytery were changed. During the Spanish Civil War, the cathedral suffered from a severe fire, many works of art were destroyed.
After these tragic events, the cathedral was completely restored, two temple towers were even completed, which stood unfinished for a long time. It is made in the form of a cross. In the central part there is a dome, and the facade on the side of Calle del Toledo is made of granite and amazes passers-by with its monumentality.
Las Vistillas Gardens
Spread over an area of more than one and a half hectares. This place is especially beautiful on summer days, however, in other seasons the garden does not lose its charm. The garden was designed by two Spanish architects Fernando García Mercadal and Manuel Herrero Palacios.
The project of the object was designed as follows - the main part has low fences, a staircase leads to this part of the garden. There is a recreation area and a fountain, flower beds. The Las Vistilas garden is surrounded by granite paths that are illuminated by lanterns at dusk. The name of the garden comes from the Spanish word, which means "views", this name seems quite simple, but it says that this place needs to be seen with your own eyes.
The views of the Manzanares River and the nearby Casa de Campo Park are extremely beautiful. After the walk, you can spend time and watch the wonderful sunset from the outdoor cafe or bar located on the territory.
Buen Retiro Park
This is one of the favorite places for residents and guests of the city for Sunday leisure walks. This old park is located in the district of the same name - Retiro. This is one of the largest parks in the capital of Spain, it covers about 120 hectares of area. In the park, you can relax by the small lake or walk along the alleys in the shade of trees.
At the end of the 19th century, palaces of crystal and brick were built in the park for holding international exhibitions, which served as new decorations for this place. During the reign of King Philip IV, the park was adjacent to his palace and was a place for entertainment for courtiers, even balls were held here and theatrical performances were shown.
Today, only the buildings remain of the palace, which house the army museum and part of the collection of the Prado museum. Before the war with Napoleon destroyed the palace of Philip IV, the park was part of it, and it hosted theatrical performances for the king and his retinue, as well as entertainment events of the Spanish court.
El Rastro Market
An extremely vibrant, unforgettable, truly Spanish market is located in the old quarter of La Latina, next to the Puerta de Toledo metro station. This colorful object is spread over several city squares. It should be noted that the quarter itself, like the name of the market, has a rich and interesting history. There are many such fascinating historical journeys in Madrid.
Do you like original souvenirs and gizmos with "history"? If the answer is yes, then you should visit the most famous flea market in Spain - El Rasto. Everything is sold here: from porcelain figurines and vintage jewelry to antique furniture sets and exclusive antiques by Spanish craftsmen. This is the perfect place to buy real travel souvenirs or gifts for your loved ones.
These shopping malls are the oldest market in the city. Even if you are not interested in shopping, you should visit it in order to "breathe" into yourself the real life of the Spaniards, to feel the flavor, to bargain with local merchants. The market seems to feel the atmosphere of a certain theatricality: emotional dialogues, bright decoration of retail outlets, the play of street musicians - the colorful and interesting life of the southern city.
Maritime museum
Spain has the fame of a country of unsurpassed sailors and shipbuilders. Repeatedly in its history, she was awarded the honorary title of "Queen of the Seas", constantly competing with Portugal and England and the primacy of the sea. It is not surprising that in such a country the Maritime Museum will be incredibly interesting and must-see. In the halls of this museum, they tell in detail and very interestingly about the traditions and history of the conquest of the seas by different generations of Spaniards.
The Maritime Museum was founded a long time ago - at the end of the 18th century. The exposition of the museum includes works of art related to maritime affairs in Spain, weapons, which were equipped with ships of the Spanish crown, sailors' uniforms, artillery pieces. There are many unique exhibits in the museum's collection. For example, it contains the real Juan de la Cosa Map, which depicts America. Historians claim that this is the oldest cartographic depiction of the American continent of all that has survived to this day.
National Museum of Romanticism
There are no more museums in Europe that would devote their entire exposition to the era of romanticism. The unique National Museum of Romanticism has gathered under its roof the most outstanding examples of art of this trend. Romanticism touched mainly the fine arts and literature, therefore, the exhibition, which began working at the beginning of the 20th century, presents the works of artists and prints of the 18-19 centuries - the heyday of this trend in Europe.
To showcase its collections, the National Museum of Romanticism chose an original 18th century mansion. It was built in an unusual baroque style, it looks aristocratic and rich. Within the walls of the building there are many paintings, miniatures, unique furniture is kept, which represents a variety of areas of romanticism: Empire, Romantic Classicism, Romantic Art Nouveau.
In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum hosts temporary exhibitions and thematic expositions. He lives an interesting life, attracting scientists, visitors to the city and just fans of the Byron era.
Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
European sports are proud of this unique facility - it is one of the best sports arenas in the world. The famous Real Madrid and the Spanish national team play at the stadium, so the stands are never empty. It is impossible for sports fans to miss such a spectacle. The stadium received its name from the respected Spanish president of the football club Santiago Bernabeu. His merit is enormous - Spanish footballers have won the European Cup six times and have become the most titled athletes in this sport.
"Santiago", as residents fondly call the stadium, is used not only for sporting events. It is also one of the largest concert venues in Europe. Frank Sinatra and other famous artists performed at the stadium. In 1982, the Pope came to Spain. His meeting with residents also took place at this huge stadium, which then accommodated tens of thousands of Catholics. The stadium is located near the city center and can be easily reached by metro or other convenient means of transport.
Reina Sofia Center for the Arts
This is one of the attractions of the "Golden Triangle of the Arts" of the capital of Spain. Not only tourists, but also students, scientists, art historians constantly come here to study the world's masterpieces collected in the museum's storerooms. The Reina Sofia Center for the Arts, or as it is also called "Sofida" - has one of the largest collections of art of the 20th century. Here are collected masterpieces of painting and sculpture, works of such world-famous figures as Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, J. Miro.
In addition to Western European artists, there are expositions of the avant-garde artists of the Soviet era. The collection of contemporary art includes works by Soviet avant-garde authors - A. Rodchenko, L. Popova.The Reina Sofia Center for the Arts includes several structures and a palace and park ensemble. In addition to works of art, 40 thousand copies of the library fund are kept here. The complex also has lecture halls, a concert venue and the Aorla Madrid restaurant with a wonderful panoramic view.
Kaisha Forum
This building was once an industrial facility - a power plant in 1990. Architects Jesus Carrasco and Ensign created a project that transformed it into a modern Art Nouveau showroom from the early 20th century. It has all the characteristic features of industrial buildings of the early 20th century: wide brick walls, a window in the center of the roof, a double structure of the facade, austerity of forms and simplicity of lines. From the outside, metal plates are applied to the walls, which are artificially aged.
The wall, which is located on the side of the Royal Botanic Gardens, is decorated with a vertical garden with a height of 24 meters. There are more than fifteen thousand plants on the wall. In addition to the unique exterior finish, Kaisha-Forum also amazes with the actual exposition. Here are collected the most interesting and expensive installations of modern modernists.
The observation rooms are located on three aboveground and two underground floors, which are connected by a unique staircase, which is rightfully considered the most interesting architectural structure of this complex. "Kaisha-Forum" is very popular. There are not only permanent exhibitions, but also temporary exhibitions, concerts and other cultural events.
Thyssen-Boremis Museum
Until the end of the 20th century, or rather 1993, the collection of paintings by the Thyssen-Boremis Museum was the largest collection in the world that belonged to a private person. The Thyssen-Boremis collection of paintings, the Reina Sofia Center and the Prado Museum are called the "Golden Triangle of Madrid", they define the area in which the most famous museums and galleries of the Spanish capital are located. This object harmoniously complements the collections of its neighbors in the "triangle". You can admire the exposition of the museum for hours.
Here are collected canvases from different eras, styles and schools. In the exhibition halls you can find unique works of Italian primitivists, paintings of the Dutch and English schools, works of the Impressionists and Expressionists. In the collection of the museum you will find canvases with more than eight centuries of history and works by American artists of the second half of the last (twentieth) century.
Some of the masterpieces from the Thyssen-Boremis collection can be seen in Barcelona - they are in the National Museum of Catalonia. Located near the Banko de Espana metro station in the picturesque building of the ducal palace.
Linares Palace
In 1884, one of the city's wealthiest bankers built a magnificent building in Sibelis Square. This is a real palace, which is not inferior in beauty and rich decoration to the royal chambers. This creation was created by the brilliant architect Carlos Colubi. It should be noted that the owner of the Palace, Jose de Murga, was not a nobleman and received the title of marquis from the king much later, as a sign of respect and recognition of services to his homeland.
The building is made in the neo-baroque style, it is decorated with exquisite decors, striking with beauty and laconic forms. It had three residential floors, the basement was given over to the kitchen and utility rooms, and the fourth was occupied by guest rooms, a winter garden, a gallery and bathrooms. All rooms were decorated with expensive silk and velvet, the interiors were striking with exquisite beauty - there was unique furniture from the best Spanish craftsmen. There were many works of art by famous authors in the palace.
Unfortunately, the palace has gone through times of devastation and desolation, which began with the tragic death of the owner of the house. The palace was especially badly damaged during the Civil War. But in 1976, a decision was made to restore the beautiful architectural creation. The palace has been completely restored from descriptions and photographs. Now it is open to tourists and is very loved by the Spaniards.
