Madrid Development

Occupying the geographical center of the Iberian Peninsula and standing at a sea level altitude of 2,200 feet, modern Madrid ranks as one of the most important cities in Europe. Madrid is a leading southern European city and the most important link between the European Union and Latin America. Madrid was made capital of Spain in 1561 by King Philip II who was born there.

The metropolis of Madrid can trace its origins to the times of Arab Emir Mohamed I (852-886), who ordered the construction of a fortress on the left bank of the Manzanares river, in the same place that is today occupied by the Palacio Real. Around this palace a small citadel, al-Mudaina, was built.

There are two buildings in the Plaza de la Villa dating from the Middle Ages: the "Casa" and the "Torre de los Lujanes" (15th century), where King Francis I of France was held prisoner. There is another interesting church to the left of the Calle Mayor, beyond the Calle del Sacramento and the Calle del Nuncio: the church of San Pedro el Real or el Viejo, the bell tower of which shows traces of the Mudejar style. Beyond the Plaza de la Villa, to the right of the Calle Mayor, there is an alley leading up to San Nicolás de los Servitas, the oldest church in Madrid, which has a Moorish style. This ancient church evokes the days of the Arab occupation. Close by the Plaza del Marqués de Comillas, the Plaza de la Paja is a square that was very important in the Middle Ages. The Morería, or old Moorish Quarter, spreads between this square, the Plaza de la Cruz Verde, El Alamillo and the Ronda de Segovia, and ends up at the modern Viaduct.