Although the first human settlements date back about half a million years to the prehistoric age, the city was first truly founded in the ninth century by Mohammed I who ordered the construction of a fort called Mayrit on the hill where the Royal Palace now stands. Many battles took place between Moors and Christians to take control of the fort until in 1083 Alfonso VI stormed the walls and took the city. Although this did not put a complete stop to hostilities, it led to a different atmosphere in which Jews, Moors and Christians could live together peacefully. Over the twelfth century the city boundaries were extended towards the East and the ruins of this historic city wall can still be seen today.

The definitive move of the Hapsburg Court to Madrid in 1606 brought with it a period of enormous urban and demographic growth. Felipe IV thus ordered the construction of a perimeter wall within which the city was contained until the nineteenth century.
The eighteenth century saw the Spanish throne taken over from the Hapsburgs by the Bourbon dynasty. These new monarchs, particularly Felipe V and Carlos III, were to be responsible for introducing a French style into the Court and for modernising the country's Administration. Culture and Science, important Enlightenment concepts, were particularly highly esteemed in the city and at the Bourbon Court.

The dawn of the nineteenth century brought with it the War of Independence against the Napoleonic troops. The City and the Court would have to wait for the reign of Isabel II before they would see another modern age of reform, developing infrastructures and urban and population growth which would only be curtailed by the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. Madrid would then become a city under siege and suffer the consequences for the duration of the conflict. This terrible period saw not only the destruction of part of the city's monumental heritage but also the sudden axing of all the projects for the renovation and modernisation of Madrid initiated under the Republic.
Once the worst of the post-war years were over (towards the 1950s) the city saw a new period of growth and of improvements in its infrastructure which is still continuing today. There was no recovery of cultural life however until the death of Franco and the dawn of democracy, after which Madrid regained the cosmopolitan character it had enjoyed before the war.

Madrid's long and vibrant history is reflected in every corner of the city. Its high regard for culture is evident in its many museums, theatres, auditoriums and cinemas while Madrid's fondness for living well can be clearly seen in the innumerable places of leisure that can be found throughout the city.

ART AND CULTURE: An appealing mix of tradition and modernity
Madrid offers a wide artistic range, influenced by the many styles that have marked the city through the centuries.
From the ruins of the ancient Arab wall, to small Gothic-style churches, and early Renaissance constructions, Madrid's development is a showcase for a variety of artistic periods. Madrid owes its name to the Arabic Magerit or "mother of the waters", which was the name given to the fortress in the bank of the Manzanares River, built by the Omayyad from Cordoba, Muhammad (823-886). Although it grew under Arab rule for two hundred years, little is left of the Arab presence: only some ruins of the wall are preserved, and a tower, which was later turned into a bellower. With the coming of the Austrias in the 16th century and the height of their splendour in the 17th century, the great monuments of Madrid began to emerge in the area that is nowadays referred to as the Madrid de los Austrias, one of the most famous areas of the city where, in addition to the Plaza Mayor, there are many outstanding spots, churches, and convents, full of art and atmosphere. The austere façades of the Baroque style contrast with the lavish interiors of the palaces.
The 18th century left its Neoclassical mark on the splendid Royal Palace complex, the Sabatini Gardens and Campo del Moro, located in the city centre. The church of San Francisco El Grande, the fountains of Paseo del Prado, the Toledo Bridge, the Prado Museum, and Puerta de Alcalá are also good examples of this splendid style.

The most avant-garde and modern Madrid is located in the area of newer districts, mainly along its two main arteries: Gran Vía and Paseo de la Castellana. Gran Vía, whose construction began at the beginning of the 20th century, is nowadays a nerve centre of shops, leisure establishments, and hotels. Paseo de La Castellana, a magnificent avenue that crosses the city from north to south, has some of the most elegant hotels in the capital, as well as the offices of many firms that have opted for modern, avant-garde buildings. As important as the architectural legacy of Madrid is, however, the city's artistic wealth is found in its art galleries. The well-known Paseo del Arte is made up of three remarkable museums, situated very close to one another: the Prado Museum, the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum, and the Queen Sofía National Art Centre Museum. The Prado Museum is considered by many experts to be the best art gallery of the world, as it has the most complete and impressive collection of sixteenth, seventeenth, and twentieth century art, with the best works from the Italian, Flemish and Spanish schools. It is in the Prado Museum where artists of the stature of Hieronymus Bosch, Rubens, Goya, Velázquez, Murillo, Fra Angélico, Botticelli, Titian, Rafael, Watteau, Tintorretto, El Greco, Ribera, Zurbarán, and very many others, can be admired, along with a magnificent collection of classical sculptures. The Prado Museum offers private guided tours to groups outside normal hours, providing an unforgettable encounter with art.

The Thyssen Bornemisza Museum keeps a private collection, finally donated to the capital in 1993, that has been classified as the most important for having the widest variety of periods and styles, from primitive 13th century paintings to the avant-garde movements of the 20th century. Dürer, Tintoretto, Degas, Kandinsky, Goya, Cezanne, Matisse, Dalí, Miró, Picasso, and Renoir, are just a few of the artists whose work forms part of this collection.

The Paseo del Arte ends at the Queen Sofía National Art Centre Museum, very famous for having Picasso's Guernika in its collection, and for its collection of contemporary paintings, mainly Spanish ones.

The importance of these three great galleries has unfairly eclipsed the richness and variety of the other museums of Madrid. If the traveller has the time, he or she can choose from dozens of options. Some of these include art galleries, such as the Royal Academy of San Fernando; municipal museums; and specialised museums such as the Romantic Museum, the Railway Museum, the Navy Museum, the Army Museum, the Museum of America, the National Archaeological Museum, the National Museum of Natural Sciences, etc.

Madrid also has an assortment of palaces and monuments making up one of the most important heritages in the history of the western world. Patrimonio Nacional (National Heritage) is the institution in charge of safeguarding State property which is at the service and disposal of the King, as well as managing the convents and monasteries founded by monarchs throughout history. With a tremendous wealth of art, the establishment of this collection of buildings has for centuries been the moving force of Spanish culture. The properties, open to the public, include the Madrid Royal Palace, the Pantheon of Important Men, the Monastery of Las Descalzas Reales, the Royal Monastery of La Encarnaci ón, the El Pardo Royal Palace, the Aranjuez Royal Palace, the Royal Monastery of El Escorial, the Prince's Cottage at El Escorial, the Infante's Cottage at El Escorial, and the Benedictine Abbey of Santa Cruz del Valle de los Caídos.

Here are some facts that may be helpful to first time visitor to Madrid.

The Weather:
Madrid has the highest number of cloudless days of all European capitals. The weather in June is typically dry and hot (70º - 108ºF / 21º - 42º C).

• Most stores (except large department stores) close from 2:00pm to 5:00pm and all stores are closed on Sundays, except the first Sunday of every month.
• Banks are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
• Breakfast is a small meal in Spain. Most people will drink a cup of (strong) coffee and eat a piece of toast or croissant. Lunch is the main meal and it is served around 2:30 pm. Dinner is much lighter than lunch and is served between 9:00 and 10:00pm.
• When you are introduced to someone, you must either shake hands (men to men) or kiss both cheeks (men to women). Kissing cheeks takes place among friends, but not in a professional environment. (At work or in an Academic environment everybody shakes hands). It is best to wait until the other party acts.
• In a restaurant, the waiter will not bring the bill until you ask him to. Tipping is normally 5% or less depending on the type of restaurant.
• Tipping  in taxis is about 0-5%.
• Currency: EURO, the single European currency

Transportation:

Madrid has an extensive public transportation by bus, train and Metro services throughout the city. A Metro ride cost 1.0€ Euro. Hotel Ayre Colón is located approximately 30 - 40 minutes drive from Barajas International Airport, Madrid. Transportation to and from the airport is available by taxicab at the cost of 30€-40€. The hotel is also accessible by Metro at the cost of 2.0-3.0€

The Tourist Travel Pass is the most practical, easiest and cheapest way to get around Madrid. Pass holders can use any public transport within the Madrid region, and there are no limits imposed as to the number of trips made while the card is still valid. To find out more visit: : http://www.madridcard.com/en/AT.aspx

One of the simplest and most convenient ways to discover the broad range of cultural attractions offered in the Spanish capital is using the Madrid Card and Madrid Card Cultura. They include entrance to emblematic monuments and to more than 40 museums in Madrid and the surrounding area. They also allow you to go on all the guided tours included in the "Descubre Madrid" (Discover Madrid) programme, organised by the City Tourist Board. They are on sale at tourist offices, by telephone on +34 902 877 996, or on-line at www.madridcard.com. Visit the web site for more information about the Madrid Card.

If music is your thing, Madrid Opera In is a very interesting initiative offering the chance to attend opera performances at the Royal Theatre. This package includes theatre tickets, one night's accommodation with breakfast in some of the city's best hotels, and a guided tour of the historic Madrid de los Austrias area. You can use it to make bookings for other shows, restaurants, city visits and outings in the surrounding area. For more information on this interesting offer, tel. +34 915 400 404.