Madrid

DVD. Vista Point. 26 Minutes. Madrid is Europe's most elevated metropolis, a royal capital of history, outstanding buildings and cultural treasures. Most of Madrid's royal palaces are in Madrid, the capital of Madrid since the 17th century. Including the Palacio Real that even today serves as a royal castle. The colossal building of grey granite and limestone owes its impressive appearance to its length of five hundred metres and strategic elevated location. On the southern side of the castle is Madrid's most recent cathedral, La Almudena. It boasts a combination of styles between New Gothic and Classical and was two hundred years in construction. Madrid also has a boulevard that has transformed it into a major metropolis, the Gran Via, that compares in both flair and dimensions with the exquisite streets of Paris and New York, with splendid noble buildings along with the contemporary. What the Gran Via a hundred years ago the Paseo De La Castellana achieved comparable renown at the end of the last millennium: a replica of Manhattan, the Zona Azca. A modern city district with spectacular skyscrapers and spacious streets where chrome, glass and concrete dominate the futuristic skyline. The royal splendour of former times has managed to successfully combine with the contemporary, and today Madrid is no less flamboyant - a city of historic joie de vivre!

DVD. World Destinations. 27 Minutes. Madrid offers a fascinating blend of history and culture, with major metropolis flair and excitement.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Around fifty kilometres northwest of Madrid, the austere yet opulent residence of El Escorial extends up the southern slope of the Sierra De Guadarrama. It was built during the rule of King Phillip II after his father Karl V ordered him to build a magnificent church in which he would eventually be buried. The Escorial was to be a pantheon for the Spanish aristocracy and also served as the country's new centre of authority. In rooms such as the Pudridero the significance of El Escorial as a burial place is evident. King Phillip II required that the exterior of the building should be plain and simple in contrast to the interior with its unusual works of art and priceless treasures. The impressive art museum contains an exclusive collection by important artist such as Titian, Tintoretto, Rubens, Van Dyck, Hieronymus Bosch, Vel?zquez and El Greco. In the royal pantheon, the Pante?n De Reyes, lie the coffins of eleven Spanish monarchs. The splendid marble coffins with their golden inscriptions add both dignity and elegance to this burial place. Philipp II was not only a larger-than-life tyrant, he was also an educated man who supported science and the arts. El Escorial was his most significant bequest to Madrid.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. The charming older part of Madrid is dominated by numerous monumental and magnificent buildings including, most notably, the wonderful Palacio Real. A harmonious and elegantly designed facade opens onto the Plaza De Oriente. This was formerly the location of numerous buildings: originally, the Moors built an Alcazar here;in the course of time, it was transformed into the main palace of the Hapsburg royal family that once reigned over the country. The magnificent halls of the palace are breathtaking. The hall in the Comedor De Gala contains the most beautiful, grandiose chandeliers and precious paintings by the Bohemian, Anton Raphael Mengs and ceiling frescos by Gianbattista Tiepolo decorate several of the rooms. Even though the royal family no longer resides in the palace, it is still a much-prized historic jewel in the Spanish crown.

DVD. Globe Trekker. 60 Minutes. Located in the center of the Iberian Peninsula, Madrid is the capital and largest city in Spain with a population of over 3 million. Known for its great cultural and artistic heritage, Madrid also boasts a thriving nightlife, including a multitude of restaurants, tapas bars and live music venues. Globe Trekker Adele Ucar begins her 7-day journey in Madrid marveling at Madrid-Barajas Airport’s newly built terminal 4 before making her way to the city center. Day two finds her touring Madrid’s old city by bicycle, visiting the Royal Palace, Madrid’s newest art space the Matadero and the El Prado museum. Her visit to Madrid takes her on two separate day trips out of the city, the first to Segovia, where she feasts on roast suckling pig and visits the Roman aqueduct. Adele’s second day trip is to Toledo where she visits the famous Gothic Cathedral and visits a sword maker in his factory. Back in Madrid, she visits El Rastro, the city’s famous flea market, attends a bullfight at Las Ventas Stadium and enjoys a meal from one of Spain’s most celebrated chefs, Paco Roncero, before ending her journey at Madrid’s gay pride parade.