Madrid

No território da cidade existiu um povoado desde a pré-história. No tempo do Império Romano pertencia à diocese de Complutum (Alcalá de Henares). No séc. IX Muhammad I construiu um palacete onde actualmente se situa o Palácio Real. A etimologia atribui o nome de Madrid ao vocábulo Árabe usado para designar o rio Manzanares. Com excepção de 1601-1606 (Valladolid) tornou-se capital em 1561 por determinação de Filipe II.

Within the city’s territory there was a settlement since pre-history. At the time of the Roman Empire it belonged to the diocese of Complutum (Alcalá de Henares). In the 9th century Muhammad I built a small palace where now stands the Royal Palace. Etymology attributes the name of Madrid to the Arabic word used to designate the River Manzanares. With the exception of 1601-1606 (Valladolid), it became the capital in 1561 by order of Philip II.

Juan de la Corte (ca 1590-1662)-'parade in the Plaza Mayor' Madrid-Museo Municipal

Antonio Joli (ca 1700-1777)-'calle de Alcalá' 'street of Alcalá'-oil on canvas Private collection

Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (1746-1828)-'allegory of the city of Madrid'-oil on canvas-1810 Madrid-Museo Municipal

Attr. Carlos de Haro (1826-1898)-'view of Madrid'-(1855-1865) London-National Gallery

Eugenio Lucas Velázquez (1817-1870)-'the inauguration of the water supply from Lozoya to Madrid'-oil on canvas-1858 Madrid-Museo del Prado