Real Madrid

By the 16th century, after the Age of Exploration, Spain entered a period of cultural and intellectual prowess, known as its 'Golden Age', recognised not only for increased wealth and decadence but also for the burgeoning of its literary, dramatic, and visual arts. As the traditional residence of the royal family, Madrid benefitted significantly from the success of the Golden Age. Much of the new found prosperity was directed into the capital and the construction of its magnificent palaces, which today display the country’s largest collection of architectural and artistic treasures. These legacies include the Royal Palace, cited as one of the most beautiful in Europe, and Villahermosa Palace, housing the Thyssen Museum, one of the most important private collections of ancient and modern paintings in the world. The nearby Prado museum displays works from most of the great masters including Goya, El Greco and Velazquez.

Outside Madrid, Escorial Palace, built on the instruction of Felipe II in the 16th century, houses numerous valuable works of art and a library containing some of the oldest books in existence.