Guiding Architects, tour: Madrid, from Arab Fortress to Capital of Spain (Fig. 1)

Guiding Architects, tour: Madrid, from Arab Fortress to Capital of Spain (Fig. 2)

Guiding Architects, tour: Madrid, from Arab Fortress to Capital of Spain (Fig. 3)

Guiding Architects, tour: Madrid, from Arab Fortress to Capital of Spain (Fig. 4)

Guiding Architects, tour: Madrid, from Arab Fortress to Capital of Spain (Fig. 5)

Guiding Architects, tour: Madrid, from Arab Fortress to Capital of Spain (Fig. 6)

Tour in Madrid:
Madrid, from Arab Fortress to Capital of Spain

The centre of Madrid bears architectural witness to its unique history: founded as an Arab fortress and conquered by Christian kings in the 11th century, Madrid was an insignificant town of around 12,000 inhabitants in the middle of nowhere when it became the capital of the powerful Spanish Empire in 1561. The town of Madrid then developed very slowly over three centuries, between the Alcazar and the Buen Retiro Palace.

The guided tour with explanations about urban and architectural evolution takes you from the Royal Palace, through Calle Mayor, the Church of San Nicolás, Plaza de la Villa, San Miguel Market, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Gran Vía to Paseo del Prado through the most important streets and squares in the centre of Madrid, revealing to visitors the secret of the charm of its spaces and architecture. The tour ends at the Salón del Prado, Madrid's museums-mile.