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Madrid Architecture
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Published: August 23, 2006
Spain's capital city is not renowned for its architecture; however, Madrid architecture is far from being bland and unremarkable.
Much of Madrid architecture has been preserved from the 18th century, reflecting the elegant neo-Classical style that was popular then.
The "Grande Dame" of Madrid architecture is the Palacio Real, or Royal Palace.
Architect Juan Bautista Sachetti and his crew needed 17 years, from 1738 to 1755, to build the Palacio Real. The palace occupies 135,000 square meters (approximately 1.45 million square feet), making it the largest palace in Western Europe. Imagine being a window washer for the 870-window building, or having to polish its 44 staircases!
Olivier Bernier deemed the Palacio Real's exterior "grand, massive, almost severe" in his June 17, 1984 New York Times review. Sometimes referred to as the Palacio de Oriente, the Palacio Real is five stories high. Years ago, the Spanish royal family would stay in one of the palace's sub-levels during the hot Madrid summers and move up to the main floor in the winter. (The king and queen now reside year-round in the Palacio de la Zarzuela.)
The 2,800 rooms in the Palacio Real are decorated in styles ranging from rococo to neo-Gothic. They showcase beautiful frescoes, bronze sculptures and tapestries from around the world. The palace even houses the world's largest collection of Stradivarius stringed musical instruments. It is considered the official state palace of Spain and is the site of many diplomatic functions.
Other excellent examples of neo-Classical style in Madrid architecture are found in the Teatro Real (Royal Theater), the Museo del Prado (Prado Museum) and along the Paseo del Prado (Prado Boulevard).
The neighborhood known as Madrid de los Austrias (Austrian Madrid) was built when the Hapsburgs ruled Spain. Its buildings reflect their 17th-century tastes and leave their own distinctive imprint on Madrid architecture. The Plaza Mayor (Main Square) is a prime example. Buildings surrounding the plaza sport the black slate roofs and needle-like towers favored by the Hapsburgs. Their influence is also apparent at the nearby Iglesia de San Isidro (San Isidro Church).
Madrid architecture includes many other beautiful churches. A Byzantine dome crowns the Iglesia de San Manuel y San Benito on Calle de Alcala (Alcala Street). Statues of the 12 Apostles surround the cupola of the Baroque-style Capilla de San Isidro (Chapel of San Isidro) in the La Latina neighborhood. The elegant Almudena Cathedral, which took 100 years to complete, combines classical elements on the outside with a modernist interior. The Almudena sits next to the Palacio Real and houses the remains of San Isidro.
Islamic influences are also apparent in Madrid architecture. Parts of the old Arab Wall, which dates back to the 700s, still stand. Graceful Islamic scrollwork can be seen at the Iglesia de la Santa Cruz on Calle de Atocha.
There is more to Madrid architecture than stately palaces and churches. More than 1,000 high-rises dominate the city's skyline. The most striking are the twin KIO Towers known as the Puerta de Europa (Gateway to Europe). The KIO Towers were built in 1996. They stand 26 stories tall and lean toward each other at 15-degree angles. Each is topped with a helipad. The towers extend over a mass transit station and brace the Plaza de Castilla monument.
The Torres Blancas (White Towers) closely resemble Chicago's Marina City towers. Both residential complexes were built in the 1960s and resemble giant corncobs.
Another example of modern Madrid architecture is the 22-story Torre Mahou. Surrounding buildings are reflected in the two-toned mirrored glass panels covering Mahou's bowed walls.
The Atocha railway station is a must-see on any list of Madrid architecture. Its wrought-iron framework is covered with glass, and a tropical botanical garden grows inside. The Atocha station was built in 1851. The original building was destroyed by fire in 1892 and rebuilt the same year. Gustave Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame collaborated with Alberto de Palacio Elissague on the project.
Finally, no tour of Madrid architecture would be complete without a visit to "El Oso y El Madrono" ("The Bear and the Madrono"). The 20-ton stone statue of a bear nibbling at a Madrono tree stands in the Puerta del Sol (Sun Gate), the heart of Madrid's nightlife scene. Madrilenos treasure it as the symbol of their city.
Much of Madrid architecture has been preserved from the 18th century, reflecting the elegant neo-Classical style that was popular then.
The "Grande Dame" of Madrid architecture is the Palacio Real, or Royal Palace.
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Olivier Bernier deemed the Palacio Real's exterior "grand, massive, almost severe" in his June 17, 1984 New York Times review. Sometimes referred to as the Palacio de Oriente, the Palacio Real is five stories high. Years ago, the Spanish royal family would stay in one of the palace's sub-levels during the hot Madrid summers and move up to the main floor in the winter. (The king and queen now reside year-round in the Palacio de la Zarzuela.)
The 2,800 rooms in the Palacio Real are decorated in styles ranging from rococo to neo-Gothic. They showcase beautiful frescoes, bronze sculptures and tapestries from around the world. The palace even houses the world's largest collection of Stradivarius stringed musical instruments. It is considered the official state palace of Spain and is the site of many diplomatic functions.
Other excellent examples of neo-Classical style in Madrid architecture are found in the Teatro Real (Royal Theater), the Museo del Prado (Prado Museum) and along the Paseo del Prado (Prado Boulevard).
The neighborhood known as Madrid de los Austrias (Austrian Madrid) was built when the Hapsburgs ruled Spain. Its buildings reflect their 17th-century tastes and leave their own distinctive imprint on Madrid architecture. The Plaza Mayor (Main Square) is a prime example. Buildings surrounding the plaza sport the black slate roofs and needle-like towers favored by the Hapsburgs. Their influence is also apparent at the nearby Iglesia de San Isidro (San Isidro Church).
Madrid architecture includes many other beautiful churches. A Byzantine dome crowns the Iglesia de San Manuel y San Benito on Calle de Alcala (Alcala Street). Statues of the 12 Apostles surround the cupola of the Baroque-style Capilla de San Isidro (Chapel of San Isidro) in the La Latina neighborhood. The elegant Almudena Cathedral, which took 100 years to complete, combines classical elements on the outside with a modernist interior. The Almudena sits next to the Palacio Real and houses the remains of San Isidro.
Islamic influences are also apparent in Madrid architecture. Parts of the old Arab Wall, which dates back to the 700s, still stand. Graceful Islamic scrollwork can be seen at the Iglesia de la Santa Cruz on Calle de Atocha.
There is more to Madrid architecture than stately palaces and churches. More than 1,000 high-rises dominate the city's skyline. The most striking are the twin KIO Towers known as the Puerta de Europa (Gateway to Europe). The KIO Towers were built in 1996. They stand 26 stories tall and lean toward each other at 15-degree angles. Each is topped with a helipad. The towers extend over a mass transit station and brace the Plaza de Castilla monument.
The Torres Blancas (White Towers) closely resemble Chicago's Marina City towers. Both residential complexes were built in the 1960s and resemble giant corncobs.
Another example of modern Madrid architecture is the 22-story Torre Mahou. Surrounding buildings are reflected in the two-toned mirrored glass panels covering Mahou's bowed walls.
The Atocha railway station is a must-see on any list of Madrid architecture. Its wrought-iron framework is covered with glass, and a tropical botanical garden grows inside. The Atocha station was built in 1851. The original building was destroyed by fire in 1892 and rebuilt the same year. Gustave Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame collaborated with Alberto de Palacio Elissague on the project.
Finally, no tour of Madrid architecture would be complete without a visit to "El Oso y El Madrono" ("The Bear and the Madrono"). The 20-ton stone statue of a bear nibbling at a Madrono tree stands in the Puerta del Sol (Sun Gate), the heart of Madrid's nightlife scene. Madrilenos treasure it as the symbol of their city.
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