Eastern Districts, Madrid

The Plaza de Colón is one of the most controversial developments in Madrid. It was laid out in the 1970s, replacing the old tree-planted square with its 19th C. mansions at the intersection of the Calle Goya and Calle Génova with the Paseo de Recoletos and the Paseo de la Castellana.Modern tower blocks have now taken the place of the older buildings, and the needs of the city traffic have turned the square into a wide through road. The site of the old Fábrica de Moneda (Mint) is now occupied by the Jardines del Descubrimiento (Gardens of the Discovery), with the statue of Columbus which formerly stood in the center of the square and now appears small and insignificant, dwarfed by the high-rise buildings which surround it.Beneath the square lies the extensive complex of the Centro Cultural de la Villa de Madrid, with a theater, exhibition halls and lecture rooms. A large underground garage and the air terminal add their quota to the hectic activity of this great traffic intersection.

The Convent of the Salesas Reales in Madrid, founded by Barbara of Braganza, wife of Ferdinand VI, and built by Francisco Carlier, is an imposing example of the Spanish Baroque architecture of the Bourbon period. Carlier was assisted by Francisco Moradillo, to whom a number of changes in the original plan, such as the small towers on the facade and the dome of the church, are to be attributed.The royal couple are buried in the official and rather cold splendor of a tomb by Francisco Gutiérrez, who also created the Fountain of Cybele. Of the original convent there survives only the church. Most of the building was converted into the Palacio de Justicia at the end of the 19th century. This was burned down in 1915 and rebuilt in 1926, at which time the opportunity was taken to give the building its present Neo-Baroque facade facing the Plaza de la Villa de París.

In this garden, there is a brick gateway which leads to a square dominated by a round pool and fountain with a decorative urn in the center and surrounded by clipped priver. The garden contains a decorative duck-pond, waterfall, several monuments and dovecote.

Parque de la Fuente del Berro in the east of Madrid occupies almost 80,000 sq.m/87,520 sq.yd. Its slopes, footpaths and fountains were laid out by order of King Carlos II at the end of the 17th C.

Built in 1769 the Buenavista Palace currently serves as the Spanish Military Headquarters.

The museum offers displays on Spain, the Phillippines, Africa, Oceania, and America.

The museum, originally designed for the purpose of training new engravers in the 18th century, displays drawings, engravings, books, coins and medals.

The museum focuses on the cultural diversity of people from all over the world, displaying an array of anthropological artifacts.

The National Museum of Decorative Arts contains over 60,000 items. Most of the focus is on Europe and the Orient.

The National Science and Technology Museum explores the history or science and technological advances through the ages.

Carpets, tapestries and designs. The manufacture of carpets and wall-hangings can be viewed.