Gran Vía(56), one of the main arteries in Madrid, was conceived at the turn of the century and finished in 1952 when the last building site was occupied. An assortment of structures with ornate façades, large cornices, colonnades and balconies dominate the Eastern end. Rising imposingly at the interjection of the Gran Vía and Calle Alcalá, where we begin our tour, we find the Metrópolis Building. Farther down on the right side of the street, we see the Museo Chicote (Chicote Museum), a charming little bar-museum; meeting place of artists and bullfighters of yesteryear. On parallel street of Caballero de Gracia (accessed through Calle Clavel or the Plaza Red de San Luis), we find the Oratorio del Caballero de Gracia(57), (Oratory of Caballero de Gracia), built at the end of the 18th century, a living example of the elegant Neoclassical style by Juan de Villanueva. In the lovely interior, the paintings on the vault need a special mention.

On the Gran Vía, near the Plaza Red de San Luis, we find the headquarters of the Telefónica(58) (Spain's National Telephone Co.), the first skyscraper in Madrid built in 1929 by the North American architect Weeks. A little farther along, we come to the Plaza de Callao, usually bustling with pedestrians and cars and surrounded by cinemas and department stores and shops. Opposite the Plaza, we see the Palacio de la Prensa, which was built in 1928 under the architectural influence of the Chicago School. A little farther on the left, we find the Carrión Building, site of the Capitol cinema, built between 1931 and 1934 following the German School of Mendelsohn. It is a good example of 1930's architecture. Our walk continues downhill between structures which blend both European and American trends with traditional architecture

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