Gran Vía

This broad avenue slicing through central Madrid was built in the early twentieth century, requiring the demolition of dozens of old streets to create a showcase of ambitious architecture. Lined with early cinemas, theatres, and department stores, it became a symbol of the city's modernization and remains a hub of shopping and nightlife. The eclectic facades range from Art Deco to Beaux-Arts, crowned by landmarks like the Metropolis Building. Walking its length reveals a century of changing tastes in Spanish urban design and commerce.