TELEFONICA MADRID

One of the city's first skyscrapers, the Telefonica was designed by American architect Lewis Weeks. Opened in 1929 as the headquarters of Spain's national telephone company, it symbolized the country's move into the modern era. A few years later, Franco's gunners used its 81 m height as a gauge for shelling the Gran Via during the Siege of Madrid. Take time to see the telephone company's collection of paintings and sculptures by Spanish artists such as Picasso, Chill ida, Gris and Tapies. Enter via the side door at Calle de Fuencarral