The document summarizes the history of Madrid, Spain from its origins as an inhabited area by Iberian tribes in 1000 BC to its current status as a large cosmopolitan city. Key events include the Roman colonization in 218 BC, becoming the residence of the Royal family in the 15th century, and King Philip II moving the Royal Court to Madrid and establishing it as the capital in the 16th century. This led to a period of great architectural and cultural expansion. In the 20th century, Madrid recovered from the Spanish Civil War to become a major European city, being named the European Cultural Capital in 1992.

1. Photo Album Visit to Old Madrid Ntra. Sra. Del Remolino El Molar – Madrid - Spain

2. MADRID capital of Spain The origins of the city dates back to the Paleolithic. Around 1000 B.C, Madrid was inhabited by Iberian tribes, mingling later with Celtics. In 218 B.C the Roman colonization began and the region of Madrid became a focal point of numerous Roman roads. After the decline of the Empire, in the fourth century Madrid became a Visigothic seat with capital in Toledo. In X-th century, the Arabs invaded Madrid. Since then, during the years of the Christian re-conquest Madrid changed hands on various occasions until it was finally liberated by King Alfonso VI in 1080. During the XV-th century, the city became the usual residence of the Royal family. In the XVI-th century, Madrid had about 17.000 inhabitants and it was then, that the King Felipe II moved the Royal Court and transformed Madrid into capital. During this period Madrid suffered a great architectural and cultural expansion, known as the Golden Age with writers as Cervantes, Lope de Vega, etc. In the XVII-th century Madrid became the most important city in Spain with the constructions of museums, gardens, etc. In the XIX-th century, the first uprising against Napoleon took place in the city and it was the origin of the War of Independence. In the twentieth century, excluding the years of the Civil War (1936-1939), Madrid became a large cosmopolitan city, having been named the European Cultural Capital in 1992.

3. Old Palace in Madrid

4. Actual Palace in Madrid

5. Muslim and Christian walls in Madrid

6. Madrid Cathedral

7. Madrid Cathedral in front of the palace

8. Royal Palace of Madrid

9. Royal Palace with some guards marching. Not the changing of the guard.

10. Islamic Wall of Madrid

11. Reminds of the Islamic Wall in Madird

12. Islamic Wall

13. Mohamed I Park in Madrid

19. Plaza de la Villa

20. Plaza de la Villa

21. Writings from Medieval Madrid