Madrid offers a wide artistic range, influenced by the many styles that have marked the city through the centuries.
From the ruins of the ancient Arab wall, to small Gothic-style churches, and early Renaissance constructions, Madrid's development is a showcase for a variety of artistic periods. Madrid owes its name to the Arabic Magerit or "mother of the waters", which was the name given to the fortress in the bank of the Manzanares River, built by the Omayyad from Cordoba, Muhammad (823-886). Although it grew under Arab rule for two hundred years, little is left of the Arab presence: only some ruins of the wall are preserved, and a tower, which was later turned into a bellower. With the coming of the Austrias in the 16th century and the height of their splendour in the 17th century, the great monuments of Madrid began to emerge in the area that is nowadays referred to as the Madrid de los Austrias, one of the most famous areas of the city where, in addition to the Plaza Mayor, there are many outstanding spots, churches, and convents, full of art and atmosphere. The austere façades of the Baroque style contrast with the lavish interiors of the palaces.

The original building of the Estación de Atocha, inaugurated in 1851, burnt to the ground in a fire, forcing the construction of a new one, in 1892, with an iron structure, designed by Antonio de Palacio; it's the building that exists today, considered one of the most remarkable examples of the iron architecture.

By the end of the 20th century, without the steam engines and the cargo that used to fill the station, Rafael Moneo refurbished the station, which now includes a tropical garden of 4000 square metres (roughly two acres) with more than 7000 plants of 400 differents species.

Distance of our apartments for rent in Madrid:
5 minutes to Tirso de Molina apartment.