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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.
In 1700, a Bourbon prince, Philip V, raised at Versailles, became king, and the country fell under the influence of France. Many of the changes in Madrid around this time, such as the rebuilding of the Palacio Real and construction of La Granja near Segovia demonstrate this "Europeanizing" effect. However, it would not be until Carlos III (1716–1788) that Madrid would become a modern city. Carlos III was one of the most popular and benevolent Kings in the history of Madrid. During the 18th century, under his reign, were designed the great arteries of the city, such as the Paseo del Prado and Paseo las Acacias.
In fact, Carlos III was the greatest Bourbon builder. He is known as the mayor-king for his interest in the growth and development of the city. During this period the city continued to grow eastward to the present Plaza de la Independencia, which is the site of a monumental arch, the Puerta de Alcalá, built in 1778 and still a key landmark. Another famous landmark, the central post office, in the Puerta del Sol, also dates from this time.
At the beginning of the 19th century, Joseph Bonaparte undertook the reform of the Puerta del Sol and the Gran Vía was built an east-west avenue. Remainings of the distant past are mainly the Baroque and neoclassical strcutures of the 17th and 18th centuries, such as the Plaza Mayor, the Palacio Real and others.
The return of the monarchy eventually led to the Second Spanish Republic and the Spanish Civil War. During this war (1936–1939) Madrid was one of the most affected cities of Spain. In fact, It was during the Civil War that Madrid became the first city to be bombed by airplanes specifically targeting civilians in the history of warfare.
A decade later, in the 1950's the Paseo de la Castellana was extended and several modern buildings were constructed here, housing the major financial institutions. During the dictatorship of Francisco Franco, especially during the 1960s, the south of Madrid became very industrialized and many people came from the rural environments to the city.
In 1983 Madrid became the capital of the Autonomous Community of Madrid. Few years later, this autonomous region becomes the wealthiest in Spain. In 1992 Madrid was designated as the cultural capital of Europe, which focused international attention on the city and its arts.
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