With more than 3 million habitants in the municipal and 6 million in the whole metrolitan area, the Spanish capital and Madrid region is the third most populated area in the European Union. Home to the government, institutions and ministries, the Royal Palace and, together with Barcelona, is considered one of the principal cultural centres housing the Prado musuem, Thyssen- Bornemisza and Queen Sofia. Known for its night life since the 80s this city holds its name for being the city which never sleeps....
Essentials: Attend a football match at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
Famous for: Having the busiest railway station in Spain
In three words: Business, fooball soccer, commercial
Chamartín is a district located in the north of the city that consists of the following neighborhoods: El Viso, Prosperidad, Ciudad Jardín, Hispanoamérica, Nueva España y Castilla. Today it is known for hosting the most important companies in Spain, a major business centre and one of the most expensive areas of the capital. There are several skyscrapers in the area as the M-30, Torres Puerta de Europa, AZCA and CTBA.
HISTORY: The origin of Chamartín´s name comes from the name of Chez Martin, a famous French inn located in this area. Most of the region belonged to the Dukes of Pastrana-Infantado. In 1808, Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte signed the decree of annulment of the Inquisition in that very place. In 1859 the Palace of the Dukes was donated to the Congregation of the Sisters of Sagrado Corazón de Jesús and today is known as Sagrado Corzaón School, one of the largest schools in the capital of Spain. In the mid-twentieth century Chamartín became a part of Madrid.
During the Second Republic (1931), under the administration of the Minister of Public Affairs Prieto, began the planning of the construction of the largest railway station in Madrid. However it wasn´t before 1967 that the railway station started operating.
ENVIRONMENT: It is one of the busiest parts of Madrid with one of the biggest and most important railway stations of the city. Furthermore it is known as an expensive business zone. Chamartín also has a lot of residential areas, quiet and very nice, with a special energetic atmosphere.
PLACES: One of most important places there is the Chamartín train station that centralizes all railways from Madrid to the northwest quadrant of the Iberian Peninsula- from Salamanca to Irun. However, the most famous place in the district is the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, where the renowned Real Madrid football team plays.
Among the points of interest you will find the National Music Auditorium, preferably dedicated to classical music concerts, the Natural Science Museum, the Museum of the City and the Park of Berlin, a place that pays homage to the German capital.
Chamartín is full of restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, perfectly combining the traditional with the sophisticated.
Do not forget to visit the Chamartín Market, one of the largest markets in the capital.
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Image Credit from Flickr Gallery:
Amio Cajander and Olga Berrios
