Madrid

Madrid is the capital and most populous city of Spain. In 2025, over 3.4 million people lived in the city itself, with around 6.8 million in the surrounding metropolitan area. It is the second-largest city in the European Union, after Berlin, and lies in the central part of the Iberian Peninsula along the River Manzanares.

The history of Madrid dates back to the late 9th century as a small military outpost. It grew in importance over the centuries, especially after 1561 when it became the permanent home of the Spanish royal court. Today, Madrid is a major political, economic, and cultural center for Spain and the surrounding region.

Madrid is a vibrant city known for its many famous landmarks. These include the Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, the Royal Theatre, and the beautiful Buen Retiro Park. The city is also famous for its world-class museums, such as the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, which together form the Golden Triangle of Art. Two famous football clubs, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, also call Madrid home.

Etymology

The name "Madrid" has an unknown origin, but there are several theories about where it came from. One idea is that it has a Celtic root meaning "ford." Another theory suggests it comes from an Arabic word for "water stream" or "spring." Yet another possibility is that it is a Mozarabic version of a Latin word also meaning "water stream."

Madrid is sometimes called "Los Madriles" or "La Villa y Corte," which means "the town and court."

History

Main article: History of Madrid

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Madrid.

The site of modern-day Madrid has been occupied since prehistoric times. There are archaeological remains of the Celtic Carpetani settlement, Roman villas, a Visigoth basilica near the church of Santa María de la Almudena and three Visigoth necropolises near Casa de Campo, Tetuán and Vicálvaro.

Middle Ages

The first historical document about the existence of an established settlement in Madrid dates from the Muslim age. In the second half of the 9th century, Umayyad Emir Muhammad I built a fortress on a headland near the river Manzanares as one of the many fortresses he ordered built on the border between Al-Andalus and the kingdoms of León and Castile, with the objective of protecting Toledo from Christian attacks from the North and as a starting point for Muslim offensives. After the disintegration of the Caliphate of Córdoba in the early 11th century, Madrid was integrated in the Taifa of Toledo.

In the context of the wider campaign for the conquest of the taifa of Toledo initiated in 1079, Madrid was seized in 1083 by Alfonso VI of León and Castile, who sought to use the town as an offensive outpost against the city of Toledo, in turn conquered in 1085. Following the conquest, Christians occupied the centre of the city, while Muslims and Jews were displaced to the suburbs. Madrid, located near Alcalá (under Muslim control until 1118), remained a borderland for a while, suffering a number of razzias during the Almoravid period, and its walls were destroyed in 1110.

Madrid was confirmed as villa de realengo (linked to the Crown) in 1123, during the reign of Alfonso VII. The 1123 Charter of Otorgamiento established the first explicit limits between Madrid and Segovia, namely the Puerto de El Berrueco and the Puerto de Lozoya. Beginning in 1188, Madrid had the right to be a city with representation in the courts of Castile. In 1202, Alfonso VIII gave Madrid its first charter to regulate the municipal council, which was expanded in 1222 by Ferdinand III. The government system of the town was changed to a regimiento of 12 regidores by Alfonso XI in January 1346.

Starting in the mid-13th century and up to the late 14th century, the concejo of Madrid vied for the control of the Real de Manzanares territory against the concejo of Segovia, a powerful town north of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range, characterised by its repopulating prowess and its animal husbandry-based economy, in contrast to the agricultural and less repopulated town of Madrid. After the decline of Sepúlveda, another concejo north of the mountain range, Segovia became a major actor south of the Guadarrama mountains, expanding across the Lozoya and Manzanares rivers to the north of Madrid and along the Guadarrama river course to its west.

In 1309, the Courts of Castile convened at Madrid for the first time under Ferdinand IV, and later in 1329, 1339, 1391, 1393, 1419 and twice in 1435.

Early Modern Era

During the revolt of the Comuneros, led by Juan Lopez de Padilla, Madrid joined the revolt against Charles, Holy Roman Emperor. After defeat at the Battle of Villalar, Madrid was besieged and occupied by the imperial troops. The city was however granted the titles of Coronada (Crowned) and Imperial.

The number of urban inhabitants grew from 4,060 in 1530 to 37,500 in 1594. The poor population of the court was composed of ex-soldiers, foreigners, rogues and Ruanes, dissatisfied with the lack of food and high prices. In June 1561 Phillip II set his court in Madrid, installing it in the old alcázar. Thanks to this, Madrid became the political centre of the monarchy, being the capital of Spain except for a short period between 1601 and 1606, in which the Court was relocated to Valladolid, and the Madrid population temporarily plummeted. Being the capital was decisive for the evolution of the city and influenced its fate. During the rest of the reign of Philip II, the population boomed, going up from about 18,000 in 1561 to 80,000 in 1598.

In the early 17th century, although Madrid recovered from the loss of its capital status, with the return of diplomats, lords and affluent people, as well as an entourage of noted writers and artists together with them, extreme poverty remained rampant. The century also was a time of heyday for theatre, represented in the so-called corrales de comedias.

Madrid changed hands several times during the War of the Spanish Succession: from the Bourbon control it passed to the allied "Austracist" army with Portuguese and English presence that entered the city in late June 1706, only to be retaken by the Bourbon army on 4 August 1706. The Habsburg army led by the Archduke Charles entered the city for a second time in September 1710, leaving the city less than three months after. Philip V entered the capital on 3 December 1710.

Seeking to take advantage of Madrid's location at the geographic centre of Spain, the 18th century saw a sustained effort to create a radial system of communications and transports for the country through public investments.

Philip V built the Royal Palace, the Royal Tapestry Factory and the main Royal Academies. The reign of Charles III, who came to be known as "the best mayor of Madrid", saw an effort to turn the city into a true capital, with the construction of sewers, street lighting, cemeteries outside the city and a number of monuments and cultural institutions. The reforms enacted by his Sicilian minister were however opposed in 1766 by the populace in the so-called Esquilache Riots, a revolt demanding to repeal a clothing decree banning the use of traditional hats and long cloaks aiming to curb crime in the city.

In the context of the Peninsular War, the situation in French-occupied Madrid after March 1808 was becoming more and more tense. On 2 May, a crowd began to gather near the Royal Palace protesting against the French attempt to evict the remaining members of the Bourbon royal family to Bayonne, prompting up an uprising against the French Imperial troops that lasted hours and spread throughout the city, including a famous last stand at the Monteleón barracks.

Capital of the Liberal State

Madrid was invaded on 24 May 1823 by a French army—the so-called Hundred Thousand Sons of Saint Louis—called to intervene to restore the absolutism of Ferdinand that the latter had been deprived from during the 1820–1823 trienio liberal. Unlike other European capitals, during the first half of the 19th century the only noticeable bourgeois elements in Madrid (that experienced a delay in its industrial development up to that point) were merchants. The University of Alcalá de Henares was relocated to Madrid in 1836, becoming the Central University.

Madrid's economy modernised during the second half of the 19th century, consolidating its status as a service and financial centre. New industries were mostly focused in book publishing, construction and low-tech sectors. The introduction of railway transport greatly helped Madrid's economic prowess, and led to changes in consumption patterns, such as the substitution of salted fish for fresh fish from the Spanish coasts, and further strengthening Madrid's role as a logistics node in Spain's distribution network. Electric lighting in the streets was introduced in the 1890s.

During the first third of the 20th century the population nearly doubled, reaching more than 850,000 inhabitants. New suburbs such as Las Ventas, Tetuán and El Carmen became the homes of the influx of workers, while Ensanche became a middle-class neighbourhood of Madrid.

Second Republic and Civil War

The Spanish Constitution of 1931 was the first to legislate the location of the country's capital, setting it explicitly in Madrid. During the 1930s, Madrid enjoyed "great vitality"; it was demographically young, becoming urbanised and the centre of new political movements. During this time, major construction projects were undertaken, including the northern extension of the Paseo de la Castellana, one of Madrid's major thoroughfares. The tertiary sector, including banking, insurance and telephone services, grew greatly. Illiteracy rates were down to below 20%, and the city's cultural life grew notably during the so-called Silver Age of Spanish Culture; the sales of newspapers also increased.

The proclamation of the Republic created a severe housing shortage. Slums and squalor grew due to high population growth and the influx of the poor to the city. Construction of affordable housing failed to keep pace and increased political instability discouraged economic investment in housing in the years immediately prior to the Civil War. Anti-clericalism and Catholicism lived side by side in Madrid; however, the city's cultural life grew notably.

Madrid was one of the most heavily affected cities in the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). It was a stronghold of the Republican faction from July 1936 and became an international symbol of anti-fascist struggle during the conflict. The city suffered aerial bombing, and in November 1936, its western suburbs were the scene of an all-out battle. The city fell to the Francoists in March 1939.

Francoist dictatorship

A staple of post-war Madrid was the widespread use of ration coupons. Meat and fish consumption was scarce, resulting in high mortality due to malnutrition. Due to Madrid's history as a left-wing stronghold, the right-wing victors considered moving the capital elsewhere (most notably to Seville), but such plans were never implemented. The Franco regime instead emphasised the city's history as the capital of formerly imperial Spain.

The intense demographic growth experienced by Madrid via mass immigration from the rural areas of Spain led to the construction of abundant housing in the peripheral areas of Madrid to absorb the new population, initially comprising substandard housing. This increased wealth polarisation in Madrid. Madrid grew through the annexation of neighbouring municipalities, achieving the present extent of 607 km² (234.36 sq mi). The south of Madrid became heavily industrialised, and there was significant immigration from rural areas of Spain. Madrid's newly built north-western districts became the home of a newly enriched middle class that appeared as result of the 1960s Spanish economic boom, while the south-eastern periphery became a large working-class area, which formed the base for active cultural and political movements.

Recent history

After the fall of the Francoist regime, the new 1978 constitution confirmed Madrid as the capital of Spain. The 1979 municipal election brought Madrid's first democratically elected mayor since the Second Republic to power.

Madrid was the scene of some of the most important events of the time, such as the mass demonstrations of support for democracy after the failed coup, 23-F, on 23 February 1981. The first democratic mayors belonged to the centre-left PSOE (Enrique Tierno Galván, Juan Barranco Gallardo). Since the late 1970s and through the 1980s Madrid became the centre of the cultural movement known as la Movida.

Benefiting from increasing prosperity in the 1980s and 1990s, the capital city of Spain consolidated its position as an important economic, cultural, industrial, educational, and technological centre on the European continent. In the early years of the 21st century, Madrid experienced the increase of income inequality and socio-economic segregation. Madrid was a centre of the anti-austerity protests that erupted in Spain in 2011. As consequence of the spillover of the 2008 financial and mortgage crisis, Madrid has been affected by the increasing number of second-hand homes held by banks. The mandate of left-wing Mayor Manuela Carmena (2015–2019) delivered the renaturalization of the course of the Manzanares across the city.

Since the late 2010s, the challenges the city faces include the increasingly unaffordable rental prices and the profusion of betting shops in working-class areas, leading to an "epidemic" of gambling among young people.

Geography

Madrid lies in the center of the Iberian peninsula on the southern Meseta Central, close to the Guadarrama mountain range. The city straddles the Jarama and Manzanares rivers and is part of the wider Tagus River area. Madrid is one of the highest capital cities in Europe, with an average height of 650 meters above sea level.

Madrid has many green spaces, including parks and forests. El Retiro is the most visited park in the city. Other notable parks include Parque del Oeste, Casa de Campo, which houses the Madrid Zoo and an amusement park, and the large forested area of Monte de El Pardo. These green areas give Madrid plenty of trees and open spaces for its residents to enjoy.

Madrid has a climate that is mostly sunny with cool winters and hot summers. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, and summers can be very hot, sometimes reaching above 35°C. Rain falls mostly in the autumn, winter, and spring, with summers being quite dry.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Madrid

Madrid has grown a lot since it became Spain's capital in the 1500s. Today, about 3 million people live in the city, and over 6 million live in the bigger area around it.

Many people from other countries have moved to Madrid, especially from Latin American nations. This has helped the city grow and change. Madrid is also known for having people who live longer than average in Europe.

Government

Main article: City Council of Madrid

See also: List of mayors of Madrid

Local government and administration

Main article: City Council of Madrid

Madrid’s city government is run by the City Council, called the Ayuntamiento de Madrid. It includes the Plenary, the Mayor, and the Government Board. The Plenary has 57 members who are elected every four years to make decisions about city matters such as budgets and services. The Mayor leads the city and works with the Government Board, which includes deputy mayors and delegates for different areas of city management. Since 2019, José Luis Martínez-Almeida from the People’s Party has been the Mayor.

Capital of Spain

Madrid is the capital of Spain. The King of Spain lives in the Zarzuela Palace, and the President of the Government (Prime Minister) works in the Moncloa Palace. Both the lower and upper houses of Spain’s Parliament also meet in Madrid.

Regional capital

Madrid is also the capital of the Community of Madrid. The region has its own government and parliament, called the Assembly of Madrid, located in the Puente de Vallecas district. The regional government’s main office is in the Royal House of the Post Office near Puerta del Sol.

Law enforcement

The Madrid Municipal Police keeps order in the city. The main offices of Spain’s national police and civil guard are also in Madrid.

Administrative subdivisions

Main articles: Districts of Madrid and List of wards of Madrid

Madrid is divided into 21 districts, which are further split into 131 neighborhoods.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Madrid

Madrid became Spain's capital in the 16th century and focused on providing for the city's growth, the royal household, and the government. Key activities included banking and publishing.

The 20th century saw Madrid's industry expand greatly, making it Spain's second industrial city. Today, Madrid's economy is shifting more toward services. It is a major European financial center, with the third-largest stock market in Europe. Madrid ranks as the 5th most important commercial center in Europe and 11th in the world. It leads in Spanish-speaking cities for webpage creation.

Economic history

As Spain's capital from 1561, Madrid grew quickly. Activities centered around the royal court included administration, banking, and small-scale manufacturing. The Bank of Spain, one of Europe's oldest central banks, was founded here in 1782. The Madrid Stock Exchange opened in 1831. Industry expanded in the 20th century, especially during the 1960s, focusing on vehicles, aircraft, chemicals, and electronics. Since the late 1970s, Madrid's economy has become more dynamic and diverse.

Present-day economy

Madrid now focuses on government, companies, financial institutions, and innovation. It has 17 universities and over 30 research centers. The city generates a large portion of Spain's GDP and is a key employer. Services make up most of the economy, especially business services, transport, finance, and advanced technologies like research and information technology.

Media and entertainment

Madrid is a major hub for film and television production, distributing content worldwide. It hosts major media companies and Netflix's production studio. The city is also home to important broadcasting towers and headquarters for major Spanish media outlets, including television, radio, and newspapers.

Culture

Architecture

Main article: Architecture of Madrid

Madrid has many interesting buildings from different times. Little medieval architecture remains, mostly in the Almendra Central, including the San Nicolás and San Pedro el Viejo church towers. After Philip II moved his court to Madrid in 1561, the city grew into a capital. During the 16th century, European styles influenced Madrid's architecture.

Key buildings from the early 17th century include the Palace of the Duke of Uceda, the Monastery of La Encarnación, and the Plaza Mayor. The 18th century brought more changes under the Bourbon kings. Charles III built many important buildings like the Prado Museum and the Royal Observatory. In the 19th century, Madrid expanded with new neighborhoods and monuments. The Gran Vía, built in the early 1900s, shows many different architectural styles.

Museums and cultural centres

See also: List of museums in Madrid

Madrid is famous for its art museums. The Golden Triangle of Art includes three major museums: the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. The Prado Museum has many famous European paintings. The Reina Sofía Museum focuses on 20th-century art and houses Picasso's famous painting, Guernica. The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum fills gaps in the other two museums' collections.

Other important museums in Madrid include the National Archaeological Museum, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, and CaixaForum Madrid. There are many more museums and cultural centers to explore in the city.

Language

The usual language in Madrid is Peninsular Spanish. Some special features of how people speak include the way certain sounds are pronounced and the use of pronouns. In recent years, many people from Latin America have moved to Madrid, which has influenced the local dialect.

Literature

Madrid has a rich literary history. Many famous Spanish writers, such as Lope de Vega, Francisco de Quevedo, and Tirso de Molina, were born or lived in Madrid. The city is home to important cultural institutions like the Royal Spanish Academy and the Instituto Cervantes, which promote the Spanish language and culture.

Cuisine

Madrid's cuisine has influences from all over Spain. Popular dishes include cocido madrileño (a chickpea stew), callos a la madrileña (cattle tripes), and fried squid. Other common foods are potaje, sopa de ajo (garlic soup), and patatas bravas (potatoes with spicy sauce). Traditional desserts include torrijas (a French toast-like dish) and bartolillos.

Nightlife

Madrid is known for its lively nightlife. The city has many bars, dance clubs, and live music venues that stay open late. Popular nightlife areas include the Plaza de Santa Ana, Malasaña, and La Latina. The Malasaña area is especially known for its alternative and indie scene. Chueca is famous as Madrid's gay district, similar to the Castro District in San Francisco.

Bohemian culture

Madrid has several areas with a bohemian atmosphere, where you can find alternative art venues, cafes, and galleries. Neighborhoods like Malasaña, Antón Martín, and Lavapiés are known for their colorful cafes and art exhibitions. These places often feature unique furniture and display new artists' work each month.

Classical music and opera

The Auditorio Nacional de Música is the main venue for classical music concerts in Madrid. The Teatro Real is the city's main opera house. The Teatro de la Zarzuela focuses on Zarzuela, a traditional Spanish musical theater genre. Other venues for classical music include the Fundación Joan March and the Auditorio 400.

Feasts and festivals

San Isidro

The local feast of Isidore the Laborer (San Isidro Labrador), the patron Saint of Madrid, is celebrated on 15 May. People gather around the Hermitage of San Isidro and the Prairie of San Isidro, often dressed in traditional clothing, dancing, and eating special foods.

LGBT pride

Madrid's LGBT Pride celebration has become one of the largest in the world. The Pride Parade began in 1977 and has grown every year. In 2017, Madrid hosted WorldPride, with over one million people attending. The event celebrates diversity and inclusion in Madrid.

Other

Other important days in Madrid include the regional day on 2 May, commemorating the Dos de Mayo Uprising, and the feast of the Virgin of Almudena on 9 November. The Mad Cool festival, a major music event, started in 2016 and attracts thousands of visitors.

Bullfighting

Madrid is home to Las Ventas, Spain's largest bullring. Bullfighting season runs from March to October, with special events during the San Isidro festivities. Las Ventas also hosts concerts and other events outside the bullfighting season.

Sport

Main article: Sport in Madrid

Football

Main article: Football in Madrid

Madrid has several famous football teams. Real Madrid, founded in 1902, is one of the most successful clubs in the world, playing at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Atlético Madrid, founded in 1903, also competes in the top league and plays at the Metropolitano Stadium. Other teams include Rayo Vallecano and Getafe CF.

Basketball

Real Madrid Baloncesto is a top basketball team in Europe, playing at the Palacio de Deportes (WiZink Center). Club Baloncesto Estudiantes is another historic team in Madrid.

Events

Madrid hosts many international sports events. The Vuelta a España cycling race finishes in the city each September. The Madrid Open tennis tournament is held in May. In 2026, Madrid will host the Spanish Grand Prix for Formula 1 racing.

Education

Main article: Education in Spain

Education in Spain is free and required from ages 6 to 16. The system is known as LOE (Ley Orgánica de Educación).

Madrid is home to many universities, both public and private. Some of the most famous include the National Distance Education University, which offers education through distance learning to over 205,000 students. The Complutense University of Madrid is one of the oldest universities in the world, with over 117,000 students. The Technical University of Madrid is the top technical university in Spain. The Autonomous University of Madrid is well known for its research in theoretical physics. Madrid also has several business schools, including the famous IE Business School, which has been ranked among the best in the world.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Madrid

Madrid has many ways to get around, including roads, public transport, and airports. In 2018, the city banned cars that weren't from Madrid or were not electric or hybrid from the downtown area. This helped reduce pollution.

Road transport

Madrid is a big city with many roads. It has important highways that connect it to other places in Spain and Europe. There are also ring roads around the city to help with traffic.

Public transport

Madrid has an excellent public transport system. The Metro, or subway, is one of the longest in Europe with many stations and lines. There are also buses, trams, and commuter trains called Cercanías that make it easy to travel around the city and its suburbs.

Long-distance transport

Madrid is a major transportation hub. It has high-speed trains that connect to many cities in Spain and beyond. There are also bus services to different parts of the country and Europe.

Airport

Madrid-Barajas Airport is one of the busiest in Europe. It handles many passengers and is important for air travel and logistics. The airport has several terminals and is a key gateway to the Americas.

International relations

Madrid plays an important role in international relations. It is home to many foreign embassies and important organizations. The city has many connections with cities around the world, working together to support friendship and cooperation.

Madrid is also a member of many international groups and partnerships, working with organizations to help improve lives and support global goals.

Notable people

Main articles: List of people from Madrid and List of predilect and adoptive sons and daughters of Madrid

Madrid has been home to many famous individuals throughout history. The city has produced notable figures in various fields, including arts, politics, and sports. Some people born or raised in Madrid have become well-known worldwide for their contributions to culture and society.

Honours

The Madrid Dome, located in the Aristotle Mountains of Graham Land in Antarctica, is named in honor of the city of Madrid.