Madrid’s vibrant residents make the most of public spaces – streets, parks and squares are filled with people socializing together – which makes for an engaging social experience and global perspective for students spending a semester there.
At the turn of the 19th century, an artistic movement emerged that had an enormous influence upon artists and philosophers – Romanticism.
History
Madrid was first settled during prehistoric times, becoming an official city when Philip II moved his court from Toledo in 1561. Over time it grew slowly until eventually taking its current shape.
Romanticism emerged during the first half of the 19th century as a major cultural movement, drawing artists, thinkers, and politicians together into one cultural movement that changed both art and society at large. Once home to one of its major figures – now hosting a museum where visitors can gain an understanding of its origins.
Visit Goya and Esquivel art as well as period furniture, pianos, dolls, ceramics and even a recreation of poet Jose Zorrilla’s room where he once read to an audience!
At various points throughout its history, London was plagued with poverty and inequality. Aristocratic households held power while lower classes lived in single-story slums; one quarter of working population served these households.
Madrilenos quickly tired of living under such conditions in the late 19th century, demanding changes. At the start of the 20th century a massive urban renewal project known as Ensanche was initiated to transform Madrid into an innovative model of contemporary metropolises.
Changes that occurred included the dismantling of city walls, opening of neighborhoods such as Salamanca and Chamberi, and implementation of grid streets and new parks. Also noteworthy were innovations like sewers, street lighting systems and creating cemeteries outside the city itself.
Napoleon invaded Spain in 1808, prompting its citizens to rise up against his troops and drive them from Madrid. This revolution marked the first step in what later became known as the Spanish War of Independence and is a reminder of how powerful people can be when coming together for common causes. Today Madrid stands as a vibrant metropolis that stands as evidence of its longstanding tradition of reinvention and people coming together towards one goal.
Culture
Madrid, with its long and storied past and rich tradition, possesses its own distinct identity. Family life in Madrid is strong; children can often be found roaming its streets. On weekends locals enjoy leisurely lunches and drinks on terraces; in the evenings there are many bars and restaurants where it is common to find groups of familiar people eating tapas together while sipping wine or beer from wine bottles or cans.
Spain’s capital may lack natural riches, but its culture and history make up for that lack. The first half of the 19th century witnessed an artistic movement known as Romanticism which touched artists, writers and politicians across Spain – it’s housed in an exquisite 1776 palace and showcases paintings by Goya and Esquivel as well as recreating rooms to give visitors an idea of how bourgeois society lived at that time.
Madrid boasts an array of culinary traditions thanks to the numerous regions from Spain whose cuisine was adopted by urban residents. Community of Madrid cuisine represents this diverse mix, offering traditional dishes like churros and chocolate; Roman-style calamares; potato bocadillos; tortilla de patatas; chopitos; gallinejas as well as numerous other delicious bites! With such variety available there’s always something tasty waiting to be tried out! The smell of cooking fills the air, with so many tempting treats waiting to be enjoyed! The smell of cooking never ceases; yet so many tasty dishes can be tasted!
Madrid is also an ideal spot for experiencing and participating in traditional sports such as flamenco and bullfighting, with numerous museums and theaters dedicated to these traditional arts – most notably Museo Nacional del Prado which houses an amazing collection of masterpieces by such master painters as Velazquez, Diego Velazquez, Rubens and Caravaggio.
Spanish culture embraces music and dancing, making Madrid an exciting nightlife scene throughout the year. Madrid has numerous bustling squares where crowds congregate to listen and dance to their favourite tunes while there are bars and clubs where anyone can find whatever style of music they are searching for.
Food
Food is at the core of life in Madrid, whether at tapas bars, cafes or Michelin-starred restaurants. As with much of Spain, recipes in Madrid use quality products as ingredients; you’ll find an expansive variety of traditional regional dishes like Cocido de Tres Vulcos (a hearty meat stew), Roasted Buf Bearnaise with Grilled Cod Fillets, Calamari Rolls Patatas Bravas y Tortilla.
For an easy snack on the go, choose a bocadillo de calamares sandwich – these crunchy fried squid sandwiches can also serve as lunch, and can be filled with cheese, ham, tomatoes and mayonnaise for maximum flavour! Another culinary classic worth checking out is jamon iberico; find it served sliced on toasts, paninis or sandwiches.
Gambas al ajillo, a traditional Tapas dish, features large shrimps cooked in garlicky oil that can be enjoyed family style. Soak up every drop of this irresistibly flavorful oil by serving alongside plenty of bread sop up every drop for maximum enjoyment!
As Galicia was once part of Spain, seafood plays an essential part of local diet. Desde 1911 serves up fresh catches from Galicia including baby elvers, hake cheeks, croaker fishery, shrimp and octopus from its coast – in a stylish dining room featuring high ceilings.
Traditional Madrid dishes often showcase offal, such as gallinejas (fried tripe from chickens and sheep); entresijos (fried folds of the peritoneum close to the intestines); callos (grilled lamb kidneys); Tavernas de Cocido Madrileo, which features chickpea-based stew; Patatas Bravas; and, of course, Churros!
A churro is an irresistibly delicious treat, perfect for breakfast, dessert or anytime snacking! Dipped in hot chocolate for added indulgence and often served alongside beverages such as coffee or sherry, these delightful bites can often be found streetside carts and cafeterias alike.
Nightlife
Madrid is an ever-active nightlife scene 365 days of the year. Visitors can dance until dawn, visit one of many museums or enjoy a great meal in one of Madrid’s restaurants. Additionally, Retiro Park and Teatro Real offer pleasant strolls, while for more contemporary entertainment head to Fabrik or Universiparty for entertainment that spans EDM to reggaeton music or the largest student party in Madrid respectively.
As London clubs offer something for every taste and interest, it is essential that you know which genres best suit you before venturing out. House, funk, hip-hop and jazz music genres tend to be among the most popular choices; however there’s always space available for classical and jazz enthusiasts as well.
Kapital, located within an old theater and open from Wednesday to Sunday nightclub is one of Madrid’s premier nightlife spots, boasting different rooms that cater to different moods; its Red Room offers intimate conversation while the Blue Room provides dance-hall vibes.
Salmon Guru, a retro bar with neon lights and pop art decor, features neon music videos while offering delicious artisan cocktails. If you prefer something darker with more of an intimate experience, Santos y Desamparados features dark decor as well as an outdoor confession booth in its back corner.
Summer brings with it many outdoor bars and cafes where you can soak up some sun. Additionally, Chueca was once known for being part of “La Movida”, with many trendy hipster bars that provide various music genres to enjoy.
Once you’ve had some drinks, visit Joy Eslava for an incredible performance of zarzuela, an iconic form of Spanish light opera. And finish your evening in Madrid off right by heading over to Chocolateria San Gines for some tasty churros and chocolate treats at Chocolateria San Gines – it will certainly put a delicious cherry on top of your evening in Madrid!