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Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. It is also the capital of the Madrid Community. It is located by the centre of the Iberian Peninsula. As the capital city of Spain, seat of government and residence of the Spanish monarch, Madrid is also the political centre of Spain. It is the third most populous municipality in the European Union after London and Berlin.
Madrid is considered the major financial centre of the Iberian Peninsula; it hosts the head offices of the vast majority of the main Spanish companies, as well as the headquarters of three of the world’s 100 largest companies (Telefónica, Repsol-IPF, Endesa).
While Madrid possesses a modern infrastructure, it has preserved the look and feel of many of its historic neighbourhoods and streets.
Madrid has its origin in the Hispano- Moslem settlement of Mayrit or Magrit, conquered in 1083 by “ Alfonso VI de León y Castilla”. It was the first permanent capital of the Spanish monarchy. Since then Madrid has been the capital of Spain and seat of government excepting a brief period, from 1601 to 1606, when the capital was Valladolid.
The city of Madrid has over 3 million of population, and the community over 6 million.
The region of Madrid has a Mediterranean climate with cooler winters, due to altitude (655m over sea level), including sporadic snowfalls and minimum temperatures usually below 0 ºC (32 ºF). Summer tends to be hot with temperatures over 30 ºC in July and that can often reach 40 ºC. Due to Madrid’s high altitude and dry climate, nightly temperatures tend to be cooler, leading to a lower average in the summer months.
Precipitation levels are low, but precipitation can be observed all throughout the year. Summer and winter are the driest seasons, with most rainfall occurring in the autumn and spring.
You will stay in students’ apartments in the city centre, near the hospital and everything you may need. The destinations may change depending on availability and season. If you need more details, don’t hesitate to ask.
The medical students of Complutense university work in 3 different hospitals which are located in the city of Madrid: Clínico San Carlos, Gregorio Marañón and Doce de Octubre. In all three, the student is expected to bring his own sthetoscope and white coat.
CLÍNICO SAN CARLOS HOSPITAL
History: Since its building in 1787 the Clínico San Carlos Hospital has been one of the most important in Madrid . This first building was located in Atocha, in the center of Madrid.
In 1933, the building of the new hospital began. Sánchez Arcas designed the hospital in a rationalist style, very close to the faculty of medicine, in Moncloa. Within the last few years, it has gradually become more modern and it has been adapted to the needing of nowadays medicine.
Details: the hospital has a surface of 175.000 square meters, with more than 5000 workers (about 1000 of them are doctors), and approximately 1000 beds. It is the reference centre of area 7 in Madrid, and it takes care of a population of about 550.000 people.
Location: You can find it near Moncloa, in front of Cristo Rey Square. The best way to reach it is public transport, because it is not easy to park near the hospital.
-Bus lines: circular(C), 1, 12,44. -Subway: Moncloa: lines 3(yellow) and 6(grey)
Islas Filipinas: Line 7(orange)
Metropolitano: line 6(grey)
HOSPITAL GENERAL UNIVERSITARIO GREGORIO MARAÑÓN
History: The General Hospital of Madrid was built by the king Felipe the 2nd in the 16th century. At first, it was located in the confluence of Paseo Del Prado with Carrera de San Jerónimo. In the 17th century, during the reign of Felipe III, the hospital is moved onto a shelter of paupers located in the way of Nuestra Señora de Atocha.
In 1968 the general hospital of Madrid was moved to his actual location, near the Retiro Park, in Doctor Esquerdo Street, in the “sanitary village of Francisco Franco”.
Nowadays, its name is Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañon, due to the work of one of its more illustrious professionals in the field of sciences and humanities.
Details: the hospital has more than 8000 workers (about 1500 are doctors) and 1700 beds. It is the reference centre of area 1 in Madrid, and takes care of a population of more than 750.000 people.
Location: It is nea the Retiro park, in Doctor Esquerdo, Maiquez, Ibiza and O´Donell streets. It is highly recommended to reach it by public transport:
-Buslines:
EsquerdoStreet:56,143,20,30
Ibiza Street: 15, 2
O'Donnell street: 28, 2
- Subway: Line 6(grey): ODonell, Sainz de Baranda.
Line 9(purple): Sainz de Baranda and Ibiza.
Line 4(brown): Goya.
12 DE OCTUBRE HOSPITAL
History: In October the second 1973, took place the inauguration of the hospital under the name of "Ciudad Sanitaria 1º de octubre".
At the end of the eighties, this name changed to “the 12th of October”, which was the day of the arrival of Christopher Columbus to America
Details: The hospital has about 7500 workers, (1200 of them are doctors), with approximately 1300 beds. It is the centre of reference for area 11 in Madrid, and assists a population of more than 600.000 citizens
It has one of the most important transplant departments in Spain and the European Union.
Location: It is located in front of the “glorieta de Málaga”, between the avenues of Córdoba and Andalucía. We recommend you to reach it by public transport:
-Bus lines: 18, 22, 59, 76, 79, 81, 85, 86. -Subway: Line 3(yellow): Hospital Doce de Octubre. -Cercanías (urban train): Line C-5: Doce de Octubre
In Spain, health is public and universal. If you belong to the European Union, with the E-111 card you will have free access to health assistance. Anyway, you will need any kind of health insurance to be able to take part of your medical exchange.
The Health System of Madrid is organized territorially into eleven different health areas, with primary and specialized care. Another separate level would be the emergency department.
PRIMARY CARE
Primary Care is the gateway to the Health Services. There, the main part of the health problems is sorted out. It ensures the continuity of care throughout the life of the citizen. Another aim of primary care is to filter the access to specialized care.
SPECIALISED CARE
Specialised care consists on diagnosis techniques, treatment, and rehabilitation, as well as health education and disease prevention, when it exceeds the possibilities for assistance form the primary care.
The Madrid Health Service provides specialized care at the hospitals and specialised centres.
The teaching is divided into a first and second three-year long cycles, that is why it takes us 6 years to get the medical degree.
First cycle: Theoretical and practical skills are taught at the Faculty of Medicine of the Complutense University, throughout the first, second and third years. On their third year, the students are introduced to the clinics and learn the general principles of surgery, pathology, pharmacology, rehabilitation…During the second term, they begin to attend the hospital. Second cycle: the teaching takes place at the different hospitals and student buildings near them. The second cycle corresponds to the fourth, fifth and sixth years. We learn more specific subjects as medical and surgical pathology, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry, ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology... On the other hand, the student learns practical skills as an internal student in different departments of the hospital. Throughout these three years, the student will get used to deal with the medical and surgical everyday practise.
FOLKLORE
La Villa, the "village", is how the inhabitants of Madrid call their city, and in many quarters there are still alive traditions of a time before all those villages have melted together into Spain's capital.
The celebrations of New Year, anyhow, are spectacular. Thousands of people flock together at Puerta del Sol. In the rhythm of the beats of the big clock at midnight, everybody tries to eat twelve grapes. That shall bring good luck for the coming year, and all the Spaniards who are not there, watch the event on TV. After midnight, the entire city becomes the scenery of a great party. On 5th of January takes place, as in many Spanish towns, the procession of the Three Wise Men. On May 15th there is the Fiesta de San Isidro to the honour of Madrid's patron, one of the most spectacular events in all the year with numerous concerts and other kinds of public performances, and the best bullfights of all the season. During July and August the town-hall organizes a series of cultural events for what they call Veranos de la Villa, "Summer in the Village". The festival Verbena de la Paloma, from 6th to 15th of August, shows best the popular traditions of Madrid, with regional costumes and dances, the so-called Chotis. During September the concert-houses and theatres have their best performances, while in November you may visit Madrid's International Jazz-Festival. At the same time there is also the traditional Fiestas de la Almudena. In December there is an exposition of Christmas cribs at Plaza Mayor.
GASTRONOMY
Food in Madrid is heavily influenced by Mediterranean cuisine. The most famous dishes from Spain are the appetizers, Tapas, that are often served at bars and small cafes before a main meal. These Tapas can be almost anything, from French fries to heavily seasoned octopus medallions (and can be very hard on one's pocketbook). A very popular dish, for tourists seeking the Spanish cuisine experience, is Paella, a rice dish that includes a variety of seafood and vegetables. Remember that Spanish people have lunch from 2:00 p.m. and dinner after 9:00 p.m.
Since Philip II made Madrid the capital of Spain, numerous recipes and influences from all the regions of the country entered in its kitchen. Today it is practically impossible to say which dishes are original, and which are imported. Today Madrid offers more a Spanish than a regional kitchen.
The dishes that are called madrileño in Spain, are mainly hotpots, as the well-known Cocido Madrileño with chick-peas. Among regional specialities have to be named the delicious asparagus from Aranjuez and the very typical Sopa de Ajo, a soup of garlic.
There are many dishes of lamb and veal, but - perhaps a bit surprising considering its geographic location - Madrid is a real paradise for the lovers of any kind of fish. It has the second biggest fish market in the world (behind Tokyo), and as well in shops as in many Restaurants you will find an ample selection and extraordinary quality.
Ideally fitting to such a meal are the young and aromatic wines from the region, Vinos de Madrid. A very typical way to finish your dinner is a cup of Anisado de Chinchón, anisette schnapps.
And for what may be the best hot chocolate and churros in Madrid, the place to go is the Chocolatería San Ginés, which is just off the Calle Arenal's pedestrian zone west of the Puerta Del Sol. The Chocolatería San Ginés has been around since 1894, and it looks about the same as it must have appeared on its opening day more than a century ago.
Some other local Specialities: Callos, fish and seafood (although Madrid is far from sea, all kinds of fish and seafood are brought to the city each day from the sea to the plate in a matter of hours - Madrileños like to claim that Madrid gets the best of the catch each day, a popular myth but the quality is impressive nevertheless) and bocadillo de calamares (a sandwich of fried squid rings).
Travel card is a transport ticket valid for all of Madrid's Metro and Bus services within the city, together with the local suburban trains and the inner-city light railway. The surcharge normally added to the price of a Metro ticket from the airport is also included. The pass is available for 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7 days, and can be purchased for Zones A or T. Most of our visitors will require a pass for Zone A only, which covers all locations within Madrid's city centre including the airport. Zone T tickets will only be needed if you require transport to villages and towns outside the city itself, but within Madrid's autonomous region. Taking into account that the price of a single Metro ticket is 1 euro and that the Metro to or from the airport costs 2 euros, the Madrid Travel Pass is an excellent opportunity to save money if you intend to use Madrid's public transport services during your stay. The pass must be purchased for the number of days you will use it for. It will then be activated the first time it is used, and the expiry date printed on the back. The pass is then valid until 5am on the day after the expiry date, allowing you to use the late nocturnal transport services as well.
Madrid is a fairly safe city with many interesting neighbourhoods to go (of course, by public transport, either by metro or bus, the best way to reach the city centre), such as:
Austrias This is the name of the part of Madrid built during the reign of the dynasty of the Habsburgs, from Felipe I to Carlos II, who died in 1700. In 1561 Felipe II makes Madrid the capital of the Empire. The administration moves to Madrid and then the shops, convents... arise.
Chueca Chueca is bounded by Calle Barquillo, Calle Hortaleza, the Gran Vía and Calle Alfonso VI. It's among the most authentic and cosmopolitan neighbourhoods downtown. During the 80's it was one of the most active centres of the so-called 'La Movida'. Lately it has become a popular gay haunt. Peppered with lots of bars and clubs, it also has a lot of life during the day, mainly based around the numerous small shops. It continues to be one of the most important meeting points in Madrid's nightlife. Although it has a decadent aspect, it is still quite attractive and has many good and interesting places to eat. On the calles Admirante and Prim in this area one can find some of Madrid's most modern fashion and shoe shops.
Huertas-Lavapies Calle Huertas, only a 5 minutes walk from Sol, gives it’s name to an old traditional neighbourhood with numerous bars and other little establishments serving tapas in the evenings. It also one of the main centres for nightlife and has a number of restaurants. This area is located between Paseo del Prado and Calle Atocha. It’s a popular area for foreigners to go out, but also for the "not so young locals" (between 25 and 35) who may feel a bit old for Malasaña. There are also many theatres and it’s quite common to retire to the bars nearby after performances. Plaza de Santa Ana is a common meeting point in the area since many bars there have made seating available outdoors - the square itself is also quite attractive. Bars here are small and are a bit crowded, but they’re usually good fun. There are a couple of places are quite famous for their jazz concerts in this area. The traditional wine and tapas stops are well worth a visit.
Tribunal Malasaña is a vibrant neighbourhood full of lively bars and clubs overflowing with young people. Its streets are currently being renovated, making it a much more attractive quarter (the streetworks are almost finished). It's one of the classic areas for partying the night away. The area's centre is Plaza del Dos de Mayo and the people who hang around this area proudly call themselves 'malasañeros'. Bars are usually crowded on weekends with all sorts of people from hard rock lovers to the trendiest fashion followers. In the clubs the age group is generally between 17 and 25, but there's space for any age group here. The renovation seems to be attracting a growing number of good, reasonably priced restaurants. Most of the accommodation in this area consists of cheap hostels and pensions, some of which are among the best value in the city. Calle Fuencarral, Conde Duque, Callao and Bilbao define the limits of this zone.
Barrio Salamanca This is the name of the part of Madrid built during the reign of the dynasty of the Habsburgs, from Felipe I to Carlos II, who died in 1700. In 1561 Felipe II makes Madrid the capital of the Empire. The administration moves to Madrid and then the shops, convents... arise.
In Madrid we have a lot of museums. The followings are the most famous ones.
Prado Museum (Museo Nacional del Prado) Address: Paseo Prado C.P: 28014 Area: RETIRO Telephone: 91 330 28 00 Fax: 91 330 28 56 Schedule: From 9am to 8pm: Tuesdays to Sundays and public holidays (closed on public holidays that fall on Mondays) Tube: Banco de España and Atocha stations Bus: Lines 9, 10, 14, 19, 27, 34, 37 and 45 Commentary: Located in the heart of Madrid, since 1819 the Prado Museum has been at the centre of an extensive artistic network which includes works by masters from all over the world. It is advisable to visit the museum more than once and choosing before hand the periods, artists and works that one wants to see. We consider that it is practically impossible to assimilate the huge amount of displayed works in only one day. A recommendation regarding what collections to visit depends to great extent on the visitors likes and the amount of available time, but we know that we would not be mistaken if we advise you to take a look at our spectacular collection of Spanish painting: El Greco, Zurbarán, Ribera, Murillo, Velázquez and Goya, distributed among several halls, confirm the importance of such a spectacular art gallery, that covers the history of art from the 12th century to Goya.
Contemporary and modern art at the Reina Sofía Museum
Address: C/. Santa Isabel 52
City: MADRID
C.P: 28012
Area: CENTRO
Telephone: 91 774 10 00
Schedule: Mondays to Saturdays: 10.00 - 21.00 Sundays: 10.00 - 14.30 Close on Tuesday
Email: comunicaciones.mncars@cars.mcu.es
Tube: Line 1, Atocha.
Bus: Lines 6, 10, 14, 18, 19, 26, 27, 32, 34, 36, 37, 45, 46, 55, 57, 59, 68, 86, 119 y Circular.
Commentary:
The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía (MNCARS) is an organization depending on the Ministry of Culture.
Its main aim is to encourage public access to the various manifestations of modern and contemporary art in order to increase knowledge and promote formation, and favour the social communication of the plastic arts. Highlights of the museum include excellent collections of Spain’s two greatest 20th century masters, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. Certainly the most famous masterpiece in the museum is Picasso’s great painting Guernica.
The Reina Sofía also has fine collections of the works of Juan Gris, Joan Miró, Julio González, Eduardo Chillida, Pablo Palazuelo, Antoni Tàpies, Pablo Gargallo, Lucio Muñoz, Luis Gordillo, Jorge Oteiza, José Luis Gutiérrez Solana and many other significant artists. It also hosts a free-access library specializing in art, with a collection of over 100,000 books, over 3,500 sound recordings and almost 1,000 videos.
Thyssen Bornemisza Museum (Museo Thyssen Bornemisza)
Address: Paseo del Prado 8
City: MADRID
C.P: 28014
Area: RETIRO
Telephone: ( 34) 91 369 01 51
Schedule: Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 7 pm. Closed on Mondays. The ticket office closed at 6.30 pm.
Email: inform@museothyssen.org
Tube: Line 2, Banco de España
Bus: Lines 6, 10, 14, 18, 19, 26, 27, 32, 34, 36, 37, 45, 46, 55, 57, 59, 68, 86, 119 y Circular.
Commentary: The museum contains close to 1000 paintings, including 220 works of art from the Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection that were added in 2004, taking you on a journey through the history of European painting from the thirteenth century right up to the late twentieth century. The paintings are displayed chronologically and by style, allowing visitors to follow the most important artistic movements of western painting, from Italian Primitive paintings to the late Surrealist period and the development of Pop art in the 1960s, together with the endurance of the figurative tradition in modern art.
The museum exhibits its collections in chronological order starting at the Renaissance and ending with the 20th century.
Emergency services: the numbers to call for Fire, Police, Ambulance in Madrid. Also sea rescue, drug help, poisons and emergency doctors and hospitals as well as a glossary of emergency terminology.
Telephone Medical Service (Ambulancia) Tel: 061 National Police (Policía Nacional) Tel: 091 Local Police (Policía Municipal) Tel: 092 Civil Guard (Guardia Civil) Tel: 062 Fire Service (Bomberos) Tel: 080 Pan-European emergency number SOS 112 Tel: 112
The caller must: 1. State the location where assistance is needed 2. State their name and telephone number 3. State what happened, and if it is still happening 4. State how many people need help 5. State if there are weapons involved
All emergency numbers can be made from any telephone (payphone, mobile or cellular of fixed-line) without the use of a phone card or money.
European SOS 112 The number 112 can be dialled to reach emergency services - medical, fire and police - from anywhere in Europe. This Pan-European emergency number 112 can be called from any telephone (landline, pay phone or mobile cellular phone). Calls are free. It can be used for any life-threatening situation, including: • Serious medical problems (accident, unconscious person, severe injuries, chest pain, seizure) • Any type of fire (house, car) • Life-threatening situations (crimes) • SOS 112 website
Madrid Emergencies & Useful Telephone Numbers Service Telephone Central Police Station (Comisaría de policía Madrid-Centro) Tel: 915 487 985
Other Madrid police stations National Police (Policía Nacional: Protección Ciudadana) Tel: 915 805 263 Forest Fires (Bomberos Comunidad) Tel: 085 Fire Service (centralised service) Tel: 913 973 700 Red Cross Emergencies Tel: 915 222 222 Ambulances Tel: 913 354 545 Town Hall (Municipio) Tel: 915 340 200 Town Protection (Protección Ciudadana) Tel: 915 373 100 Traffic Civil Guard (Guardia Civil del Tráfico) Tel: 914 577 700 (Madrid North) Traffic Civil Guard (Guardia Civil del Tráfico) Tel: 918 950 073 (Madrid South) Victims of Terrorism (Victimas de Terorismo) Tel: 900 150 000
Madrid Tourist Police Madrid central police station has a multi-lingual service catering specifically to the needs of visitors and non-Spanish speakers. Services include: • help reporting a crime or filing a complaint • psychological support to victims • assistance cancelling credit cards and official documents • contact with embassies and consulates • communication with or help tracing family members • assistance locating lost items • tourist information Languages spoken are English, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Arabic spoken. • Servicio de Atencion al Turista Extranjero (SATE) At: C/ Leganitos 19, 28004 Madrid Open: 09:00-22:00 Tel (24 hour support in English): 902 101 112 Tel (office): 915 488 537 / 915 488 008
Hospitals with Accident and Emergency Departments Hospital Contact Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón At: C. Doctor Esquerdo 46, 28007 Madrid Tel: 915 868 556 Tel: 915 868 557
Accident and Emergency Tel: 915 868 505 Tel: 915 868 225 Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús At: Avda. Menéndez Pelayo 65, 28009 Madrid Tel: 915 035 900
Paediatric Emergencies Tel: 915 035 917 Hospital Príncipe de Asturias At: Ctra. Alcalá-Meco s/n, 28805 Alcalá de Henares Tel: 918 878 100 Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal At: Ctra. De Colmenar Viejo Km 9100, 28034 Madrid Tel: 913 368 066
Tel: 913 368 461
Accident & Emergencies Tel: 913 368 282 Hospital Universitario La Paz At: Pº de la Castellana 261, 28046 Madrid Tel: 917 277 000 Accident and Emergency Tel: 917 277 339 Hospital Carlos III At: C/ Sinesio Delgado nº 10, 28029 Madrid Tel: 914 532 500
Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro At: C/ San Martín de Porres 4, 28035 Madrid Tel: 913 445 000
Hospital Clínico San Carlos At: C/ Profesor Martín Lagos s/n, 28040 Madrid Tel: 913 303 000
Tel: 913 303 001
Emergency Tel: 913 307 748 Hospital de Alcorcón At: C/ Budapest 1, 28922 Alcorcón Tel: 916 219 400
Hospital de Móstoles At: C/ Río Jucar s/n, 28935 Móstoles Tel: 916 648 612
Emergency Patient Care Tel: 916 648 010 Hospital Severo Ochoa At: Avda. De Orellana s/n, 28911 Leganés Tel: 914 818 000
Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada At: C/ Camino del Molino 2, 28942 Fuenlabrada Tel: 916 006 041 Emergency Tel: 916 006 493 Hospital Universitario de Getafe At: Ctra. Madrid-Toledo Km12,500, 28905 Getafe Tel: 916 839 360
Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre At: Avda de Córdoba s/n, 28041 Tel: 913 908 000
Blood transfusions Medical Centre Telephone Centro de Transfusiones de la comunidad de Madrid At: Avenida de la Democracio s/n, 28032 Madrid Tel: 913 017 200 Cruz Roja Española Donación de Sagre At: Reina Victoria 24 Planta Baja, 28003 Madrid Tel: 915 346 642
Glossary of Emergency Words & Terminology English Spanish Accident Accidente Allergy Alergia Ambulance Ambulancia Emergency Urgencia Emergency services Servicios de urgencia Emergency Health Services Servicio de Salud-urgencias Civil Guard Guardia civil Doctor Médico Fever Fiebre/Calentura Fire Service/Brigade Bomberos First Aid Posts Casas de Socorro Heart attack Ataque cardiaco/Infarto Help Ayuda Help! ¡Socorro! Medical Centres Centros Médicos Pain Dolor Pharmacy Farmacia Samaritans Teléfono de la Esperanza Serious Illness Enfermedad Grave
Understanding the Police Services National Police (Policía Nacional): cover mainly urban areas across Spain. Their duties include dealing with terrorism, national security, protecting national and international dignitaries and combating crime with a national impact (spread across different regions).
Civil Guard (Guardia Civil): is a military force that operates mainly in rural areas and is responsible for dealing with robberies, drug offences, murders and fatal traffic accidents.
Local Police (Policía Municipal): cover towns and cities. In general they deal with traffic control and offences, lost property and crimes such as muggings and neighbourhood disputes.
Last update of data: august of 2010