Haugsburg's Madrid
This monarchs' dynasty turned Madrid into the capital of Spain and left a monumental legacy:

Plaza Mayor was the place for public celebrations in the past. Several performances are made here, every Sunday there's a stamps market and before Christmas there's a traditional market.

Puerta del Sol is the center of Madrid and also of Spain: search for the zero kilometer, where all roads in Spain begin!. You will also see the symbol of Madrid: a bear pawing a bush. Here is where Spanish people celebrate new year.

Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales is a unbelievably rich, beautiful and quiet place still dwelled by nuns. It has very limited visit time!. Monasterio de la Encarnación has a very extensive art collection from seventieth century.

Plaza de la Villa, near to the city hall has several styles buildings to be seen.

Plaza de Oriente it's a pedestrians place closed to traffic with beautiful gardens and quiet cafes, just in front of the Royal Palace and besides to Royal theater. You may see the change of guard the first wednesday of every month at 12:00.

Catedral de la Almudena is in neoclassical style and was projected centuries ago, but only was opened in 1993 by Pope John Paul II

The original Habsburg's Palacio Real was burned in 1734 and a new one was projected. It' s one of the biggest in the world, with uncountable rooms filled with rich art. There' s also a pharmacy museum and an armory museum.

Gran Vía is the most important street of Madrid, it stretches from Plaza de Cibeles to Plaza de España, where the statues of Cervantes, Don Quijote and Sancho Panza are.

City of museums
Museo del Prado is the most important painting museum in the world. It has 7,000 paintings, 5,000 drawings and 900 esculptures to be exhibited in 80 rooms in 3 floors. Paintings are from Spanish, Italian and Flemish schools, represented by authors like Bosch, Velázquez, Goya, El greco and Tytian. Near to is is the Botanic Garden, inaugurated in the 18th century. It has 30,000 planst and a hothouse simulating different environments.

Museo de arte Reina Sofía has only paintings from 20th century, here it's Picasso's worldly famous Guernica

Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza is a recent one that posses from medieval to pop art paintings.

Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida has original paintings made by Goya that can be visited. That's why besides it there's another twin church open for religious celebrations.

Museo de América shows art, gold and silver works from old Spanish colonies.

Museo Cerralbo is the palace where this aristocrat lived, whose hobby were archeological expeditions, and whose findings from Spain and the world can be seen.

Parks
Campo del Moro beautiful gardens are situated besides to royal palace, like Jardines de Sabatini, where you may take a rest listening the water flowing in the pool and fountains.

Parque del retiro is the biggest park in Madrid, where water channels and cascades melts with plants, there's also an artificial pool.. Many street artists perform here.

Parque del oeste is another quiet place with water channels and vegetation.

Casa de campo is a natural wild zone with picnics and sport facilities, near to Parque de Atracciones, with an artificial lake where you may navigate by boat or practice water sports.

Templo de Debod is an authentic Egyptian temple in the center of Madrid. It was a present of Egyptian government because of the help that Spain gave during the building of Assuan dam.

El Escorial Monastery
It was build in the mountains outside Madrid by order of king Philip II in commemoration of an important battle against France. It's religiously austere, but in no case a poor place. Here is where most of the Spanish kings and their families rest. Near you may visit the Valle de los caidos, the place where Franco was buried.

More info at:
      . http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~delacova/spain-travels.htm
      . http://museoprado.mcu.es/prado/html/ihome.html
      . http://www.banesto.es/banesto/escorial/i9700010.htm