NAVAL MUSEUM MADRID

You need a working knowledge of Spanish or naval history to get the best out of this small museum. This is a pity, since Spain's maritime power changed the course of world events. In addition to numerous models of boats, there are vivid paintings depicting naval victories. A famous battle prize is the flag of the French battleship Atlas (Room VII). Napoleon presented ensigns to all his commanders before the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 this is the only one to survive. Don't miss Room XVII, where the routes of Spain's explorers are plotted on a world map covering an entire wall. Here, too, is the first map of the New World by a cartographer who had actually been there. Dated 1500, it was made by Juan de la Cosa, captain of the 5anta Maria, one of the trio of ships led by Columbus in 1492.