MADRID is celebrating the centenary of its Metro system during 2019 and has created an underground exhibition of restored historic trains.

    Madrid was one of the first cities in Europe to build an underground metro system, with construction taking place from 1916 onwards.

     The money to build the first lines was raised from public subscription to match a donation from a leading banker; when public donations fell short of the four million Pesetas needed the Spanish king donated the missing 1.45 million.

The first section of Line 1, between Puerta del Sol and Cuatro Caminos, was officially opened on October 17, 1919 by King Alfonso XIII and opened to the public two days later. 

Read more in the April 2019 issue of The RM – on sale now!

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