From the sensuous sounds of flamenco to the raucous parties on the Plaza Mayor, from the refined art of Velazquez and Goya to the boxed symmetry of its skyscrapers, Madrid bears surprises at every turn and vividly captures the pulse of the nation.

The fabulous Plaza Mayor	Flamenco performance on the plaza		Hungry anyone?

Once the venue for public executions, auto-da-fes and bullfights, the plaza is now a popular meeting point	Night falls on the plaza

	Legs of ham left hanging to age

The Spanish find art even in street signs!	Lost in thought

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