Madrid’s grand thoroughfare, Gran Via, has celebrated its 100th anniversary on Monday.

Moreover, the actual date was Sunday, but Monday was selected to remember the day, with the King and Queen and city Mayor, Alberto Ruiz Gallardón, together with Minister for Development, José Blanco, ‘re-opening’ the street
100 years on.

During the celebration, hundreds of people gathered to see the Royals unveil a plaque, but along with the celebrations there was also upset from the inevitable interruptions to traffic on what was a normal working day in the capital.

It was on April 4 1910 in the same place that King Alfonso XIII fired a gun to mark the road construction, to the sound of ‘2 de Mayo’ which was also played by the Municipal Symphonic Band 100 years on.

The King then went shopping for a copy of the complete novels of Miguel Hernández, and then called in at number 24 where the newspaper ABC has set up an exhibition of photographs on the 100 years of Madrid’s most central street.