About this city
Also known as: Swede Point
Madrid is a historic, highly picturesque trailside city located flatly on the high prairie tablelands directly overlooking the scenic Des Moines River Valley in central Iowa. Founded meticulously in 1846 by Anna Dalander, a pioneering leader of Swedish immigrants, it was originally named Swede Point before being rechristened following local coal mining expansions. Today, Madrid has transformed into a major hub for eco-tourism and outdoor sports, celebrated nationally for housing one of the most technologically advanced and architecturally striking pedestrian rail-trail bridges in the world.
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Practical Tourism Metadata
Suggested stay: 1 day
Bike or walk across the breathtaking geometric light canopy of the High Trestle Trail Bridge, explore local mining exhibits at the Madrid Historical Museum, and camp at nearby Ledges State Park.
