Madrid

Although modern-day Madrid has been occupied since prehistoric times with archaeological remains of Carpetani settlement, Roman villas, a Visigoth basilica and three Visigoth necropoli nearby, the first historical document of an established settlement in Madrid dates from the Muslim age. At the second half of the 9th century, Emir Muhammad I of Córdoba built a fortress on a headland near the river Manzanares, as one of the many fortresses built on the border between Al-Andalus and the kingdoms of León and Castile, to protect Toledo from Christian invasions.  As today we use the phrase, "Holy Toledo!", we know how well that worked for him.  With the surrender of Toledo, Christians conquered Madrid in 1085.  In 1561 Philip II of Spain moved his court from Valladolid to Madrid.  Madrid then became the political center of the monarchy.  During the reign of Philips III and IV, Madrid saw a period of cultural brilliance, with the presence of geniuses such the painter Diego Velázquez and authors and poets Miguel de Cervantes, Francisco de Quevedo and Lope de Vega.  It was also flooded with gold from Mexico.  Madrid was one of the most heavily affected cities of Spain in the Civil War (1936–1939). The city was a stronghold of the Republicans from July 1936.  After the death of Franco and the start of the democratic regime, the 1978 constitution confirmed Madrid as the capital of Spain.  Which brings back to the present.  With buildings with green walls or missing ground floors.

Many consider Madrid one of the top European destinations for art, known for the Golden Triangle of Art, located along the Paseo del Prado which comprises of three museums in order: the Prado Prado Museum, known for such highlights as Diego Velázquez's Las Meninas and Francisco de Goya's La maja vestida and La maja desnuda; the Reina Sofía Museum, where Pablo Picasso's Guernica hangs; and The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum that fills the historical gaps in the others collections.  If museums aren't your thing and you trash your time watching shows about celebrity lifestyles you could check out the Royal Palace.  Same opinion goes for the Plaza Mayor unless there's an event, much better, just a block away is Mercado San Miguel.  For a walk in the park, Retiro Park would be well worth the time spent.  Below are a few shots inside and outside of the the Reina Sofía Museum.

Picasso's Guernica