One cannot explore Madrid without examining its most famous residents, the Royal Family. One of Europe's remaining monarchies, Spain has had a monarch for over 500 years, dating back to the unification of Castile and Aragon in the 15th century. The Spanish Royal Family belongs to the House of Bourbon, a dynasty originally from France. Spain’s monarchy was actually abolished twice before eventually being restored in 1975 after the death of dictator Francisco Franco. King Juan Carlos I then played a major role in Spain’s transition from dictatorship to democracy. His son and current monarch, Felipe VI, became king in 2014 after he abdicated. The Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest functioning royal palace in Europe by floor area, with over 3,400 rooms. King Philip V ordered the palace built to rival the grandeur of Versailles in France. A note from the writer: this is a pre-pandemic tale.

Madrid, one of the great capitals of Europe, sits near the very geographic center of the Iberian peninsula; a fact which helped it grow into a political hub despite lacking a major river or coastline. Originally a muslim fortress town called Mayrit founded in the 9th century by the muslim Umayyads, Madrid wasn't always Spain's capital. In fact, it only became the capital in 1561 when Philip II moved his royal court here from nearby Toledo. As a citizen of a country which was a former colony of Spain, it was my pleasure and honor to explore a city which had such a direct influence in our own history and culture. The Gran Via is Madrid's most famous shopping and entertainment street; often called the "Spanish Broadway" due to its theaters and musicals. A note from the writer: this is a pre-pandemic tale.