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Madrid,Spain
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The
capital of Spain since 1562, is located
on the geographic center of the Iberian
Peninsula. Because of its central location
and high altitude, the climate of Madrid
is characterized by warm dry summers and
cool winters. Madrid is a city of great
monuments. Among its highlights are the
medieval center dating back to the Habsburg
Empire and the Prado Museum. But Madrid
is not just a cultural destination. It is
also a lively metropolis with many pubs,
cafes, discotheques and nightclubs open
late into the night. Don't be surprised
if you get stuck in a traffic jam at four
in the morning, and the people you meet
are not necessarily going off to work....
What more need be said about one of the
finest capital cities of Europe... Museo
del Prado needs to be visited with time,
as it includes one of the great Museums
of Arts in the world. Popular red dog online provided by fair online UK casino.
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Parque del Retiro , close to it, is certainly the
most beautiful park of Madrid. Here you may have
relaxing walks or do some boating on its central
lake. The most interesting buildings are the Crystal
Palace and the Velazquez Palace. One sight of Madrid
that you should not miss is the gigantic flea-market,
El Rasto , that takes place each Sunday morning
in Ribera de Curtidores.Here you can discover new
and nothing less typical facets of this city, and
perhaps find one or another bargain. Worth a visit
is certainly also Madrid's bullring, "Las Ventas"
, one of the most important and traditional in the
country, with an elegant Neo-Mudejar-style facade
. Close to it, in the beautiful gardens of Parque
del Oeste with its outstanding collection of roses,
La Rosaleda , we find a monument which is less than
typical for Madrid, but absolutely worth visiting:
the Templo de Debod is an old-egyptian temple, which
was presented to the city by the Egyptian government
and was rebuilt here. At Paseo de la Castellana
you find the most impressive works of this century:
The beautiful gardens Jardines del Descubrimiento
at Plaza de Colón, with a big statue of Christopher
Columbus, who by the way is called Cristobal Colón
in Spanish (now you know who gave his name to all
the square). Centro Cultural de la Villa is a cultural
center that organizes concerts and other performances
each night.
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More up the Castellana there are several interesting
examples of modern architecture: Torres de
Colón, Edificio de la Unión y el Fenix, Bankunión,
La Adriatica, Compañía de Seguros de Occidente,
La Caixa, and the Palace of Congresses and
Expositions. The Open Air Sculpture Museum
is certainly worth visiting as well. Among
the more interesting works from between 1980
and 1990 are the Fish Market of Puerta de
Toledo, the redesigned Train Station of Atocha,
the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, the Windsor-Tower,
erected over the base of other buildings,
the Torre Picasso by Japanese architect Yamasaki
of a height of 150 meters, Edificio Sollube
and the impressive Torre EuropaAmong the more
interesting works from between 1980 and 1990
are the Fish Market of Puerta de Toledo, the
redesigned Train Station of Atocha, the Centro
de Arte Reina Sofia, the Windsor-Tower, erected
over the base of other buildings, the Torre
Picasso by Japanese architect Yamasaki of
a height of 150 meters, Edificio Sollube and
the impressive Torre Europa. And, in terms
of gastronomy, today Madrid offers more a
Spanish than a regional kitchen. The dishes
that are called madrileño in Spain, are mainly
hotpots, as the well-known Cocido Madrileño
with chick-peas. Among regional specialities
have to be named the delicious asparagus from
Aranjuez and the very typical Sopa de Ajo,
a soup of garlic. And Madrid is a real paradise
for the lovers of any kind of fish. It has
the second biggest fish market in the world
(behind Tokyo), and as well in shops as in
many Restaurants you will find an ample selection
and extraordinary quality.
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