For centuries, Spain had been one of the mightiest colonial powers. Like Portugal and England, Spain too had colonies across the globe. Being the capital of Spain, Madrid played an important role as the political and diplomatic heart of the country. Although King Philip II had shifted the royal court to Madrid in 1661, the city was made the national capital only a generation later by King Philip Ill.
Madrid is situated at the heart of the Iberian Peninsula. It lies on a sand and clay plateau known as the Meseta. The Madrid of the present day is a curious mix of contrasting features. The city has preserved its past very well, while it has coped up with modernity in style. The overcrowded city centre has its antiquity intact; however, the regions surrounding it have developed new palaces, convents, churches and public buildings.
Madrid is also one of the cultural centres of Europe. Have you heard of a famous work called ‘Don Quixote’? This major work was written by Miguel de Cervantes, a famous writer from Madrid. Lope de Vega, Pedro Calderon de la Barca, Francisco Gomez de Quevedo y Villegas, Benito Perez Galdos, Mariano Jose de Larra, Pio Baroja and Azorin are other renowned artists and writers of Madrid. The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, the National Archaeological Museum and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of the San Fernando Museum are some of the places of great tourist interest.
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