MADRID, founded by the Moors in the 9th century, is currently a modern, active city offering innumerable atractions to the visitor. Its architectural heritage is immense. The medieval village has been preserved around the Plaza de la Paja. The quarter known as Madrid of the Austrians, near the Puerta del Sol, the traditional city center, was built in the Golden Age.

In this area are the Plaza Mayor, which is colonaded and considered to be one of the finest in Spain, and the Plaza de la Villa, with its beautiful City Hall Building, both Baroque in style and dating from the 17th century.

The Royal Palace, surrounded by gardens that are now partially open to the public, is a magnificent example of 18th century palatial art.

The city also has numerous interesting treasures from the 19th and 20th centuries and a large number of parks and gardens, among them El Retiro, the Botanical Garden, crafted by royal decree in the 17th century, the Parque del Oeste and the Casa de Campo.

Among its many museums and art galleries are the Prado Museum and its its annex, El Casón del Buen Retiro, the Archaeological Museum, with colections representing practically all the different cultures that have flourished in Spain, and the Reina Sofía Art Center, which displays among its treasures Picasso's 'Guernica'.

Please, if you need more information about Madrid go to Ayuntamiento de Madrid.

Thank-you.