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10 things you need to know about Madrid
You may know Madrid as a great place for vacations and special occasions, but there is probably still much you don’t know about this city that was founded at the end of the 9th century and is today considered the capital of Spain.
Besides being a city famous for its football team and its elegance, Madrid is also a capital full of historical and cultural landmarks. If you have always wanted to visit or already have a trip planned to explore Spain’s capital, we’ve put together 10 things you need to know about Madrid to fall even more in love with the city.
Oldest restaurant in the world
One of the best things about traveling is enjoying all the local cuisine of the place you’re visiting, and according to the Guinness Book, the oldest restaurant in the world is located in downtown Madrid. Sobrino de Botín, founded in 1725 and situated on Calle Cuchilleros, is known not only for its longevity but also for its traditional and highly awarded cuisine.
The inhabitants of Madrid are called “Gatos”
Naturally, someone born in Madrid is a Madrileño or Matritense, but historically the inhabitants of Madrid have been known as “cats,” and the reason for this name is quite curious.
According to legend, Madrid was a walled city and to enter you had to pay a fee. To avoid the payment, the locals would scale the walls like cats.
Another theory about the origin of the name “cat” for Madrileños is that in 1085, when Alfonso VI’s troops tried to take Madrid from the Muslim forces, the soldiers climbed the alcázar walls, helping to bring Alfonso’s army into the city.
Madrid is home to some of the best museums in the world
Besides all the gastronomy, another important factor when choosing a vacation destination is cultural attractions, and Madrid has plenty of those.
For art lovers, the Prado Museum is the best in Spain for its architecture and art collection. Currently, works such as “Las Meninas” painted by Diego Velázquez in the 20th century and “The Third of May 1808 in Madrid” by Francisco de Goya can be found there.
In addition, the city is also home to the Reina Sofía Museum, which features permanent collections by Picasso, Dalí, and Miró.
The UN considers Madrid the most tree-lined city in the world
The UN named Madrid one of the 50 greenest urban centers, earning it the title of “Tree City.” This recognition aims to promote more sustainable and environmentally friendly cities, and Madrid stood out for this reason. Today, the city boasts numerous recreational areas that always prioritize environmental preservation. There’s nothing like strolling through a destination with plenty of fresh air!
An Egyptian temple in the city center
It may not seem true, but Madrid does indeed have an Egyptian temple right in the city center. The Temple of Debod was a gift from Egypt to Spain for its cooperation in saving the Nubian temples. For those wishing to visit, the temple is located west of Plaza de España, next to Parque del Oeste.
The right time to dine
A funny curiosity about Madrid is the specificity of its dinner time. It’s true that dinner schedules vary from country to country or city to city. In Madrid, the traditional dinner time is 9:30 PM, and from 8 PM onward is considered the sacred time for appetizers, accompanied by tapas, wines, and sangrias.
It has one of the largest metro systems in Europe
Known for being one of the largest and most efficient metro networks, Madrid’s public transport covers an extensive area. The metro network even reaches Madrid-Barajas Airport, one of the largest commercial airports in Europe, and is considered one of the biggest in the world by both length and number of stations.
Naps are taken seriously, the famous siesta
The famous post-lunch siesta is taken very seriously by Madrileños. Many shops close their doors between 2 PM and 5 PM to enjoy a few hours of sleep before returning to work. We should implement it in Brazil.
It’s home to Europe’s first skyscraper
If you visit Madrid, be sure to check out the Telefónica Building, considered the first skyscraper and the tallest building on the continent at the time. The building was constructed from 1926 to 1929 and was inspired by the New York skyscrapers. During the Spanish Civil War, the Telefónica Building served as a communications center and air-raid shelter. Today, the space houses a cultural center with various exhibitions and can be visited for free.
Which of these curiosities about Madrid caught your attention the most? Leave your comment below!
