Mundos de Mujeres / Women's Worlds 2008
Madrid, the capital of Spain, is a cosmopolitan city. Its status as a centre for economics, finance, administration and services combines the most modern infrastructure with an important cultural and artistic heritage, the legacy of centuries of fascinating history.
Madrid is strategically located at the geographical centre of the Iberian peninsula, 646 metres above sea level. Its old town is exemplary among major European cities, and blends harmoniously with the most modern and convenient urban infrastructure. It is where the Central Administration, the Government of the State and the Spanish Parliament are located. Another characteristic of Madrid is its cultural and artistic soul as well as an incredible nightlife.
Links:
www.munimadrid.es
www.madrid.org
www.tourspain.es
The city is equipped with a well-organized public transportation system, covering with its Metro, bus and train routes the entire area of Madrid and surroundings.
There are 190 metro stations with its 226,9 kilometres which reach out all over city. The Madrid underground transportation system is easy to use, safe and effective.
Time table: Service 6 a.m.to 2 a.m.
Telephone: 902.44.44.03
Fares: 1euro
Link: www.metromadrid.es
The Madrid bus-fleet covers 190 routes, with 1969 busses running all day long.
Timetable: from 6 a.m.to 11:30 p.m. Monday through Sunday.
A night bus transport service called "Buho" is also provided, from 11:30 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Telephone: 902 50 78 50
Link: www.emtmadrid.es
It is another high-quality public transport service which allows you to travel to different cities and villages around Madrid. (See Near Madrid)
Timetable: Open from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. During the holidays and the weekends other timetables may be used.
Telephone: 902 24 02 02
Link: www.renfe.es/cercanias
There are more than 70 museums in Madrid. Some of them are:
Due to the quality and rich variety of its collections, the Prado is one of the finest museums in the World. It holds the best collection of Spanish paintings (El Greco, Velázquez, Goya, Ribera, Zurban and Murillo), the most important works of Flemish (Weyden, Bosch) and Italian paintings (Titian), and outstanding examples of the German, French and British schools.
Although the museum was created to display paintings and sculptures, it also holds several important collections of drawings, engravings, coins and medals, as well as examples of sumptuary and decorative arts.
Address: Paseo del Prado s/n. 28014, Madrid
Telephone: (+34) 91 330 29 00.
Timetable: from Tuesdays through Sunday, from 9 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday closed.
Holidays: from 9 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Prices and Concessions: Tickets: General 6 €, Discount 3 €. Free entry: Under 18 and over 65 or pensioners and on Sunday for everybody.
Link: www.museodelprado.es
Located in the old General Hospital that Carlos III commissioned from the architect Sabatini and declared an Artistic Historic monument in 1977, the museum houses one the most visited permanent collections.
Dedicated to contemporary art, its rooms display the masterpieces of the Spanish vanguard geniuses like Picasso, Miró and Dalí. There are also many temporary exhibitions.
Address: Santa Isabel, 52
Telephone: (+34) 91 774 10 004.
Timetable: from Monday till Saturday, 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m.- 2.30p.m. Tuesday closed.
Prices and Concessions: Entry charge: 6 € Half-price: Student Card or international equivalents; groups from cultural or educational institutions. Free entry: Under 18; over 65, retired and unemployed persons; members of "Friends of the Museum" Association. Free entry: Saturday from 14:30 to 21:00 and Sunday between 10-14:30
Link: www.museoreinasofia.es
This museum houses one of the best private collections of paintings in the world. 
It gives you a chance to go through seven centuries of the History of Art and to admire important paintings of artisits like: Ghirlandaio, Caravaggio, Manet, Monet, Kandynsky and Hopper. More than 50 paintings of collection are considered masterpieces of the universal art.
Address: Paseo del Prado, 8
Telephone: (+34) 91 369 01 51
Timetable: Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed on Mondays. The ticket office closes at 6.30 p.m.
Prices and Concessions: Permanent Collection: General 6 €, Reduced 4 €. Temporary Exhibition: General 5 €, Reduced 3,50 €. Combined Ticket (A+B): Permanent Collection and Temporary Exhibition. General 9 €. Reduced 5 €. Reduced-price ticket for Senior citizens and students with identification cards. Free Admission: Accompanied children under 12.
Link: www.museothyssen.org
Created by Queen Isabel II, this museum is located in one of the best Isabelline buildings in Madrid, beside the National Library.
The permanent exhibition covers Spain's entire history, a complete tour from Prehistory, with a reproduction of the Altamira caves, up to Renaissance works and XX century giving the visitor an opportunity to see all the symbols of the cultures that have lived on Spanish territory over the centuries.
Address: Serrano, 13
Telephone: (+34) 91 577 79 12
Timetable: Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30a.m.to 8.30p.m. Sundays and public holidays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30p.m.Closed: Mondays
Prices and Concessions: General: 3,01 €, Reduced: 50% discount (students and people having a "young peoples card"). Free: over the age of 65, under the age of 18, unemployed, ICOM members, Saturdays (from 2:30p.m. to 8:30p.m. ), Sundays, 18 May, 12 October and 6 December.
Link: http://man.mcu.es/
This museum, which recreates the artistic and literary atmospheres and customs of the Romantic period, is appropriately located in an 18th century building. It houses not only masterpieces by painters like Goya and Madraazo but also all types of decorative elements such as sculptures, furniture, porcelain and fans. All of these objects show the lifestyle of the bourgeoisie Spanish family in the 19th century.
Address: C/ San Mateo, 13
Telephone: (+34) 91 448 01 63
Timetable: From 9 a.m to 2:45 p.m. Public holidays from 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Closed Mondays and during the month of August.
Link: http://museoromantico.mcu.es/
The museum seeks to promote further knowledge about the diversity of the natural world, improve people´s perception of science and show the richness of Spanish natural world.
Address: C/ José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2
Telephone: (+34) 91 411 13 28
Timetable: Tuesday to Friday 10-6 p.m., Saturday /in July and August/ 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday and holidays 10 a.m.-2.30p.m. Monday closed.
Prices and Concessions: General 5 €, reduced 3 € (students, children from 4 to 14, unemployed persons)
Link: www.mncn.csic.es
It is the official residence of the royal family, although it is used only for State ceremonies.
Address: C/ Bailén 28071
Telephone: (+34) 91 454 88 00
Timetable: Work days 9 a.m. to 6 p.m, Sunday and holiday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Prices and Concessions: General 8 €, Guided Visit 9 €, under 16 and students 3,5 €.
Link: http://www.patrimonionacional.es/
It is situated in the ancient palace of Charles I and Isabel of Portugal, where in 1535 their daughter, Joanna, who founded this monastery was born. It has received awards for its architectural harmony.
Address: Plaza de las Descalzas
Telephone: (+34) 91 454 88 00
Timetable: Thursday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday 10:30a.m. - 12:45p.m. and 4 p.m. - 5:45p.m.
Prices and Concessions: General 5 €, under 16 and students 2 €
Link: http://www.patrimonionacional.es/
There are more then 140 galleries situated mostly around Barquillo Street, Salamanca District (Serrano, Jorge Juan and Claudio Coello) and close to the Reina Sofía National Art Centre.
There are so many cultural zones in Madrid that it is hardly possible to count them all. Some of them are specialized in permanent exhibitions and others are deboted to promoting cultural events in general.
Address : Plaza de Colón, s/n
Telephone: (+34) 91 480 03 00
Timetable: Tuesday to Saturday 10.00a.m. - 9.00p.m. , Sunday and holidays 10.00a.m.-7.00p.m. Monday closed.
Link: http://www.munimadrid.es/principal/monograficos/ccv/principal.htm
Address : C/ Alcalá, 42
Telephone: (+34) 91 360 54 00
Timetable: Tuesday to Friday 5.00a.m.-9.00p.m. , Saturday 11.00a.m.-2.00p.m. and 5.00a.m.-9.00p.m. Sunday and holiday 11.00a.m. -2.00p.m.
Link: www.circulobellasartes.com
Address: C/ del Prado, 21
Telephone: (+34) 91 429 6251
Timetable: 9.00a.m. - 8.00p.m.
Link: www.ateneodemadrid.com
Address : C/ Castelló, 77
Telephone: (+34) 91 435 42 40
Timetable: Monday to Saturday 11.00a.m.-8.00p.m. , Sunday and holidays 10.00a.m-2.00p.m.
Link: www.march.es
Address : C/ Conde Duque, 9-11
Telephone: (+34) 91 588 58 34
Timetable: Tuesday to Saturday 10.00a.m.- 9.00p.m. , Sunday and holidays 11.00a.m. - 2.00p.m. Monday closed.
Link: www.munimadrid.es/condeduque
Address : Paseo de Recoletos, 2.
Telephone: (+34) 91 595 48 00
Opening time: Library Monday to Thursday 4.00a.m.-6.00p.m.
Timetable: Exposition Tuesday to Saturday 11.00a.m.- 2.00p.m.and 5.00p.m.-8.00p.m, Sunday and holidays 11.00a.m.-2.00p.m. Monday closed.
Link: www.casamerica.es
It is the most important library in the country. Founded in 1712, it houses the most complete bibliographic and documental heritage of Spain. The library collects and conserves publications from all over the country. There are also excellent exhibitions open to the public.
Address: Pº de Recoletos 20-22
Telephone: (+34) 91 580 78 00
Link: http://www.bne.es
Address : C/ Conde Duque, 11
Timetable: Monday to Friday 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Telephone: (+34) 91 588 57 71
Address : Plaza de Oriente, s/n
Telephone: (+34)91 516 06 60
Link: www.teatro-real.com
Address: Príncipe de Vergara, 146
Telephone: (+34) 91 337 01 40
Link: www.auditorionacional.mcu.es
Address: C/ Jovellanos, 4
Telephone: (+34) 91 524 54 00
Link: http://wwwinaem.mcu.es/rdanza.htm#zarzuela
Madrid offers a variety of theatre arts of all genres. You can see classical theatre but also some avant-garde, independent works and musicals.
Address: C/ Príncipe, 14
Telephone 91 521 49 31
Link: http://teatroclasico.mcu.es
Address: Marqués de Casa Riera, 2
Telephone: (+34) 91 532 44 37
Link: www.circulobellasartes.com
Address: C/ Paz, 11
Telephone: (+34) 91 531 83 11
Link: http://www.madrid.org/clas_artes/teatros/albeniz/
Address: C/ Príncipe 25
Telephone: (+34) 91 360 14 80
Link: http://www.munimadrid.es/Principal/monograficos/TeatroEsp/home.htm
Address: C/ Antillón 19,
28011 Madrid
Telephone: (+34) 91 526 11 73
Link: http://perso.wanadoo.es/elmontacargas/
Address: C/ Tamayo y Baus, 4
28004 Madrid
Telephone: (+34) 91 310 29 49
Link: http://cdn.mcu.es/tmg.php?leng=en&ob=
Address: C/ Fernández de los Ríos, 42
Telephone: (+34) 91 448 11 81
Link: www.teatroabadia.com
The splendour of the city began with the transfer of the Parliament from Toledo to Madrid in 1561. Madrid culture blossomed after the death of Philip III and with the accession of Philip IV to the throne. The architects, artists and writers wanted to live close to the Parliament and thus many of the monuments and palaces were constructed near this site and can be seen while walking through the narrow streets of the city.
After the death of Charles II, in January 1701, the French Bourbons arrived in Spain. Soon after that the Alcazar caught on fire, but in two years later the reconstruction began.The Bourbons were interested in modernizing the country, which can be seen in the monuments and urban designs made at that time.
During this time great transformations were made by Joseph Bonaparte. The road through the center of Madrid was enlarged to made a great avenue. these changes were continued by Isabel II. During her reign, the Puerta del Sol square was changed and many boulevards and districts, like Salamanca and Ciudad Lineal, were constructed.
During the second decade of the 20th century, Madrid was being trandformed into a modern and cosmopolitan city, mostly by constructing the areas of the Gran Vía and University area. The main route running north and south through the center of Madrid, called El Paseo de la Castellana, offers a view of 20th-century architecture In Madrid.
Known as "Barrio de las Musas" or "Barrio de las Letras", around this square lived some of the great 17th-century writers such as Cervantes, Lope de Vega, Quevedo or Góngora. During the Spanish literary period called the Golden Age (16th-17th-ceturies), it was also a place where popular theatre plays where staged. The area known as Huertas, with many squares and theatres, is one of the main nightlife districts of the city.
Madrid offers cuisine from all over the country. The experts argue about whether a Madrid cuisine really exists or not. What is for sure is that one can find in Madrid contributions from Andalucia, Basque Country, Galicia, Asturia and other regions.
Typical Dishes: Madrid-style stew (Cocido Madrileño), tripe (callo), garlic soup (sopas de ajo), snails (caracoles), tortilla de patatas, baked sea brean (besugo al horno) or dishes with cod (platos de bacalao). 
Desserts: A type of French toast soaked in milk and wine, covered with honey(Torrijas), round wafers (barquillos), round wafers with cream (bartolillos con crema ), cream puffs ( buñuelos de noviembre ), marzipan ( mazapane) and nougat candy (turrones navideños), biscuits in the shape of donuts with anisette favoring (rosquillas de San Isidro).
Tapas: Tapa is a small portion of food that can be found in bars or cafeterias. "Tapear", or having tapas, is a custom celebrated throughout the country. Pêople go bar-hopping by eating tapas and drinking beer or wine.
A very wide range of international cuisine is also available in Madrid.
Traditional Trades, Craftwork and Souvenirs: Around the Plaza Mayor you can find stores with the traditional canvas shoes for summer (alpargaterías), shops with all kinds of fabric (tejidos), hats (sombrererías), handicrafts (artesanía) and souvenirs.
Fashion: Shops of Spanish and International designers are located around Fuencarral, Almirante and Conde de Xiquena Streets and in the Salamanca District. You can also find exclusive jewellery, shoes, leather and furniture and presents establishments.
Big shopping malls: are situated around Puerta del Sol, on Princesa and Goya street and on the Paseo de la Castellana.
Outdoor Markets: The most famous and traditional market, called El Rastro, takes place each Sunday in the surrounding area of Plaza de Cascorro, La Latina and Embajadores.There is a huge variety of goods offered in its establishments, such as: antiques, clothes, second-hand shoes, picture cards, books, discs, paintings, etc.
