The Shortest History of Madrid

The colorful history of Spain’s capital city that has welcomed all kinds—intellectuals, vagrants, artists—from its military outpost origins to present-day democracy

From the Moors to modernity, Madrid has been variously influenced by saints and politicians, war and art, tradition and change, dictators and democracy. It has long drawn travelers and creatives to experience this blend of tradition and innovation firsthand, most recently landing Spain as the second most-visited country in the wo...