History of Madrid "Madrid" evolved from the Mozarabic "Matrit", which is still in the Madrilenian gentilic. The site of modern-day Madrid has been controlled since prehistoric times, and archaeological research found a small Visigothic village nearby. In the mid-9th century, Muhammad I of Córdoba constructed a small castle where the Palacio Real stands today. The Moors built a citadel, al-Mudayna, around this castle. They named the area after the nearby Manzanares River, which the Muslims called al-Majrīṭ (Arabic: "source of water"). From this came the name "Majerit", later spelled "Madrid". The Moors controlled the citadel until Alfonso VI of León and Castile conquered
San Cristóbal (Madrid) joint. Spanish footballer Raúl González grew up around San Cristóbal de los Ángeles. He played at the local club and was spotted by Atlético Madrid. From 1994 to 2010 he played for Real Madrid. San Cristóbal (Madrid) San Cristóbal is a neighbourhood on the southern outskirts of Madrid, belonging to the working-class district of Villaverde, of which it is an administrative ward (""). The growing immigration rate (over 45% in 2007) has boosted its population to 18,000 inhabitants. The neighbourhood is geographically isolated by the railroads and highways that create borders, but has a Madrid Metro stop on Line 3