Madrid history

The history of Madrid is a journey from a small Arab fortress to one of Europe's leading capitals. The city, located in the very heart of the Iberian Peninsula, has witnessed key events in Spanish history for centuries. The first reliable information about Madrid dates back to the 9th century, when the Emir of Cordoba, Muhammad I, ordered the construction of a fortress on this site to protect the approaches to Toledo. This fortification, known as Mayrit (Arabic: Mayrit), meaning "source of waters" or "place of many streams", was conquered by the Castilian King Alfonso VI in 1083. Almost nothing remains from the Arab period today, with the exception of fragments of the old city wall.

For a long time, Madrid remained a small Castilian town, secondary in importance to centres like Toledo and Seville. Everything changed in 1561, when King Philip II decided to move the royal court here and make the city the capital of Spain. This decision determined the future fate of the city and was driven by several key factors. Firstly, Madrid's central location made it an ideal administrative core for governing a vast empire. Secondly, its political neutrality, unlike cities with entrenched powerful elites, allowed the King to consolidate his power.

After receiving capital status, Madrid began to grow rapidly. If before the 16th century it was primarily an agrarian and administrative centre, with the arrival of the court it transformed into a magnet for aristocracy, artisans, and artists. The 17th century became the city's "Golden Age", when geniuses such as Cervantes, Lope de Vega, and Velázquez lived and created here. During this period, the famous Plaza Mayor and numerous palaces were built, although the architecture generally remained restrained, in the spirit of the Habsburg dynasty.

Key Milestones in the History of Madrid

9th Century: Emir Muhammad I of Cordoba orders the construction of the Mayrit fortress on the banks of the Manzanares River to protect Toledo, which is considered the founding of future Madrid.

1085: Castilian King Alfonso VI conquers the fortress from the Moors, and the city definitively passes under Christian administration.

1202: King Alfonso VIII grants Madrid a charter, officially bestowing upon it the status of a town and the right to self-government.

1309: The Castilian Cortes (parliament) meets in Madrid for the first time, highlighting the city's growing political importance.

1561: King Philip II moves the royal court from Toledo to Madrid, making it the capital of the Spanish Empire due to its central geographic location.

1606: After a short period when the capital was moved to Valladolid, King Philip III definitively returns capital status to Madrid.

2 May 1808: A popular uprising erupts in the city against the occupation forces of Napoleon Bonaparte, marking the beginning of the War of Independence throughout Spain.

1919: Construction of the metro begins; the first line connected Puerta del Sol and Cuatro Caminos squares, launching the development of modern urban transport.

1936–1939: Madrid becomes one of the main centres of Republican resistance during the Spanish Civil War, withstanding a siege of almost three years.

1975: After the death of Franco and the beginning of Spain's transition to democracy, Madrid becomes the centre of a cultural and social movement known as "La Movida".

1992: Madrid is declared the European Capital of Culture, coinciding with the opening of the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, strengthening its status as one of the world's leading art centres.

11 March 2004: A series of coordinated explosions occurs on commuter trains in the city, marking a tragic event in modern Spanish history.

Key Stages of Urban Development

The history of Madrid is not just a chronology of events, but a chain of significant transformations that turned it from a provincial town into a metropolis of global importance. Each stage left its mark on the capital's architecture, economy, and culture.

• Capital of the Enlightenment (18th Century): During the reign of King Charles III, nicknamed the "Best Mayor of Madrid", the city underwent a massive urban transformation. Ambitious projects inspired by Enlightenment ideals were implemented: the Paseo del Prado and the Royal Botanical Garden were created, and numerous fountains and public buildings were constructed. These reforms laid the foundation for the monumental appearance of central Madrid and brought it to the level of other European capitals.
• City Expansion (Plan Castro, 1860): By the mid-19th century, Madrid was stifled within its medieval walls. To solve the problem, the "Plan Castro"—a city expansion project (Ensanche)—was adopted. It involved demolishing the old walls and creating new districts with a clear rectangular street grid. Thus, for example, the prestigious Salamanca district appeared. This plan defined Madrid's development vector for decades to come, creating a modern urban structure and improving sanitary conditions.
• Construction of Gran Vía (1910–1931): The construction of Gran Vía street became one of the most massive and complex urban planning operations in the city's history. To create this new transport artery connecting the eastern and western parts of Madrid, more than 300 buildings were demolished. Gran Vía quickly turned into a showcase of a new, cosmopolitan life with luxury hotels, cinemas, and shops, earning it the nickname "Madrid's Broadway".
• "La Movida Madrileña" (1980s): After the end of the period of dictatorship and the transition to democracy, Madrid became the epicentre of a vibrant cultural movement known as "La Movida". It was an era of creative freedom and zest for life that swept through music, cinema (primarily thanks to Pedro Almodóvar), fashion, and social life. "La Movida" radically changed Madrid's image, turning it into a symbol of a modern, open, and dynamic Spain.
• European Integration and Modernisation (since 1986): Spain's accession to the European Economic Community (now the EU) provided a powerful impulse for Madrid's development. The city received significant investments in infrastructure: the metro network was expanded, Barajas Airport was modernised, and high-speed railway lines were built. This strengthened Madrid's status as one of Europe's key business, logistics, and tourism centres.

Madrid's architectural landscape is a fascinating journey through centuries, reflecting its transformation from a modest fortress into a majestic European capital. Each historical period has left its unique mark on the city's streets and squares, creating a multi-layered and eclectic urban scenery.

The Middle Ages and Mudejar Heritage

Before Madrid became the capital, its architecture was similar to other Castilian towns. Only fragments of the defensive wall remain from the earliest Arab period. However, a significant legacy of that era was the Mudejar style—a unique phenomenon in which Christian architectural forms were combined with Moorish decorative techniques. Striking examples of this style are the brick bell towers of the churches of San Nicolás de los Servitas and San Pedro el Viejo, which remain some of the oldest structures in the city.

Habsburg Madrid: Austerity and Grandeur (16th–17th Centuries)

With the transfer of the capital in 1561 by King Philip II, Madrid's "Golden Age" began. The architecture of this period, known as the Austrian Habsburg style or Herreriano (named after architect Juan de Herrera), is characterised by austerity, monumentality, and minimal decoration. Characteristic features include red brick, granite, and dark slate roofs. The main symbol of the era is Plaza Mayor—a rectangular square surrounded by buildings in a unified style, which became the centre of public life. Other iconic buildings of that time include the Palace of Santa Cruz and the Casa de la Villa in Plaza de la Villa.

The Bourbon Era: Baroque and Neoclassicism (18th Century)

With the arrival of the Bourbon dynasty, Madrid's architecture experienced strong French and Italian influence. Lavish and dynamic Baroque can be seen in the design of the Toledo Bridge (Puente de Toledo) and the façade of the Municipal Museum. However, the true transformation of the city is linked to the reign of Charles III, the "King-Mayor". He sought to turn Madrid into one of the great capitals of Europe by initiating the construction of many buildings in the Neoclassical style. During this period, masterpieces such as the Prado Museum building (architect Juan de Villanueva), the monumental Puerta de Alcalá gate, and the famous Cibeles and Neptune fountains were created, shaping the appearance of the Paseo del Prado.

19th and Early 20th Century: Eclecticism and Modernism

In the 19th century, the demolition of old city walls and the implementation of "Plan Castro" led to the city's expansion and the emergence of new districts with a rectangular street grid, such as the prestigious Salamanca district. Eclecticism, mixing elements of different styles, dominated architecture. In the early 20th century, the city's main construction project became the laying of Gran Vía, which turned into a true exhibition of architectural achievements of its era. Here one can find French style (the Metropolis building), Art Deco (the Telefónica building), and elements of Expressionism. Although Madrid Modernism (Art Nouveau) is not as famous as Catalan Modernism, it gifted the city such gems as the Longoria Palace (now the SGAE headquarters).

Contemporary Architecture (Late 20th – 21st Centuries)

After the period of dictatorship, Madrid's architecture received a new impulse for development. The urban landscape was supplemented with bold contemporary projects. The symbol of the new business Madrid became the skyscraper complex "Four Towers" (Cuatro Torres Business Area) in the north of Paseo de la Castellana. Renovation projects breathed new life into historical buildings: a former power station became the CaixaForum cultural centre with a unique vertical garden, while the expansion of the Reina Sofía Museum designed by Jean Nouvel and the new terminal of Barajas Airport became examples of an innovative approach to architecture. These projects demonstrate how Madrid continues to develop, harmoniously combining rich historical heritage with avant-garde solutions.

Distinguished Personalities Linked to Madrid

For centuries, Madrid has been not only a political but also a cultural centre, attracting the greatest talents of the era. Many geniuses have left an indelible mark on the history and appearance of the city.

• Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547–1616) — Writer. The author of the immortal novel "The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha", Cervantes spent the last years of his life and was buried in Madrid. His legacy remains an important part of the capital's cultural life today, and a monument to him and his characters adorns the Plaza de España.

• Lope de Vega (1562–1635) — Playwright and poet. One of the brightest representatives of the Spanish Golden Age of literature, he lived most of his life in Madrid. His home in the Literary Quarter, where he spent his final 25 years, has been converted into a popular house-museum.

• Diego Velázquez (1599–1660) — Painter. As the court painter to King Philip IV, Velázquez created his major masterpieces in Madrid. His works, including the famous "Las Meninas", form the core of the collection at the world-renowned Prado Museum.

• Francisco de Goya (1746–1828) — Painter and printmaker. Although Goya was not born in Madrid, he firmly established himself in the capital, where he became a court painter. He captured pivotal historical events, such as the uprising of 2 May 1808, and his frescoes adorn the Chapel of San Antonio de la Florida, where he is buried.

• Charles III (1716–1788) — King of Spain. His reign radically changed the face of Madrid, earning the monarch the nickname "the city's best mayor". Under his initiative, the Paseo del Prado, the Royal Botanical Garden, the Cibeles and Neptune fountains, and the monumental Puerta de Alcalá gate were created.

• Pedro Almodóvar (born 1949) — Film director. Moving to Madrid in his youth, Almodóvar became one of the main symbols of "La Movida"—the cultural countercultural movement of the post-Franco era. His films are inextricably linked to the capital, showing the world its vibrant, dynamic, and free spirit.

• Plácido Domingo (born 1941) — Opera singer and conductor. Born in Madrid, he is one of the most famous tenors in the world. His career is closely linked to the Teatro Real in Madrid and other leading opera stages across the globe.