Street sights in Madrid

1. A Map

   Gran Vía

   • Madrid, Spain
   • Sights › Street

   It’s difficult to imagine Madrid without Gran Vía, the grand boulevard lined with towering belle époque facades that climbs up through the centre of Madrid from Plaza de España then down to Calle de Alcalá. But it has only existed since 1910, when it was bulldozed through what was then a labyrinth of old streets. Plans for the boulevard were first announced in 1862 and so interminable were the delays that a famous zarzuela (satirical musical comedy), La Gran Vía, first performed in 1886, was penned to mock the city authorities. When finally completed, 14 streets disappeared off the map, as did 311 houses, including one where Goya had once lived.

   It may have…

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