Paseo de la Castellana, Major thoroughfare in Madrid, Spain
Paseo de la Castellana is a major avenue in Madrid that runs from Plaza de Colón in the south to the M-30 ring road in the north, spanning roughly 6 kilometers. It is lined with embassies, government buildings, financial institutions, and the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, making it a significant business and tourist hub.
The street began in 1833 as Paseo de las Delicias de la Princesa and was expanded and reshaped over many decades. It became a central axis for Madrid's urban growth and continues to shape the city's structure today.
An open-air sculpture garden beneath the Juan Bravo-Eduardo Dato overpass displays works by Spanish artists including Joan Miró and Eduardo Chillida. This unexpected art collection transforms a highway underpass into a space where contemporary art and urban life intersect.
The avenue is easily accessible by public transportation and has wide sidewalks for walking, though traffic can be heavy during daytime hours. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and allow time for a longer walk if they want to explore the full length.
The avenue follows the path of a former stream called Arroyo de la Castellana, which flowed from a spring famous for its cold water. Though now buried beneath the pavement, this hidden waterway still determines the course of the modern street today.
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