Plaza Mayor and other Madrid, Spain Things to Do Tips

Area to the West from Puerta del Sol is named "the Austrian Madrid" or " Madrid of Gabsburg". This austrian dinasty ruled Spain up to 1700. Phillip V Burbon ascended a throne this year.
Plaza Mayor has been planned under the order of Phillip III Gabsburg. The horse monument of the monarch is installed in the center of the square. The name "main" Plaza Mayor received in the beginning of XVI century after the square Arrabel reorganization which was there before. Then the roadway was paved by a stone and three-tier houses with arcades were constructed. In 1620 this big square was opened. In 1853 the square was reconstructed by the architect de Vilja Nueva.

Leave a Comment

Address: Main square of Madrid
Directions: Metro Sol & Opera

In XVI - XVIII centuries this square was the city centre. There was a market, bullfights were arranged here. Verdicts of inquisition were declared here. Public executions were arranged at this square. Fernando VI, Carlos IV, Phillip V were declared by kings there. Nine streets adjoin to the square. Entrances on the square are issued by arches.
Casa de la Panaderia - "bakery" is the main and most beautiful building on Plaza Mayor. It is situated in the northern part of the square. The bakery was settled down on a ground floor. Members of royal family usually observed of events which occured below on the square from a balcony of the second floor. Motley frescos decorate walls of a building.
There is Casa de la Carniceria "butcher's shop" on the opposite side of the square.

Leave a Comment

Address: Main square of Madrid
Directions: Metro Sol & Opera

It is possible to leave Plaza Mayor through southeast arcades on Calle de Atocha. There is beautiful Palacio de Santa Cruz on this street. The building was constructed in style of a baroque by architect Gomes de Mora in 1620-1640. Now the building belongs to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Leave a Comment

Calle Mayor comes to an end in the front of the main temple of Madrid - Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Almudena. It is near to the Royal palace. It was built more than hundred years. The beginning of construction happened in 1880, and the ending occured only in 1993. The initiator of the construction was Alfonso XII. He wished to bury his first wife Maria who esteemed Madonna Almudena in a temple. The temple was consecrated with daddy John Paul II. The sculptural image of the madonna is stored in the Cathedral.

Leave a Comment

Royal palace (Palacio Real) stands at the top of a green hill. The amazing view on bottom cities, where Mansaneres river flows, opens from its windows. In the IX century the Arabian fortress was constructed at this place. Later there was the castle of Gabsburg there. In 1734 the castle burned down and the king Phillip V began a royal palace in style of the Italian baroque. Construction ended in 30 years and Carlos III solemnly driven into the palace. In 1931 after renunciation Alfonso XIII royal family left the palace.
The museum is opened here now. The palace is huge. Its total area, including cellars, makes 100 thousand square meters. 50 rooms are opened for visitors.

Leave a Comment

Address: Former King's Residence

Plaza de Oriente appeared in 1811 at the opposite side of the Royal palace at smart east entrance. Under the order Zhozef Bonaparte the space around the palace was cleared away. Apartment houses, monasteries and churches were demolished. Statues of Spanish kings were installed on their place. Originally there were planned to install them on a roof of the palace, but figures appeared too heavy. There is an equestrian statue of Phillip IV in the center of Plaza de Oriente.
The Teatro Real built in 1850 is also situated on Plaza de Oriente.

Leave a Comment

Address: Between Royal Palace and Opera House

Plaza de Espana is one of the central and most beautiful squares in Madrid. In the XVIII-XIX centuries there were barracks where soldiers protected the royal palace lived. The square has got the present shape in the middle of the XX century. On the northern side there is a multi-storey building of the Spanish government, and on the south - concrete tower Torre de Madrid.

Leave a Comment

The monument to Miguel Servantes is installed on Plaza de Espana. This monument became the same symbol of Madrid, as well as the she-bear at Puerta del Sol. The monument represents a huge obelisk on the coast of the reservoir. The figure of the writer is located at bottom of the obelisk. You can see Don Kihot and Sancho Pansa below the obelisk.

Leave a Comment

One of the most esteemed citizens of Spain is Columbus. Monuments to this remarkable seafarer can be seen in many cities of Spain. As a rule, it is an obelisk with Columbus's figure at the top. It is quite natural to see such a monument as well In Madrid. It is installed on (in spanish Columbus is Colon). The memorial, devoted to the discovery of America is on this square. Though there are many doubt, whether there was Columbus the Spaniard on a nationality.

Leave a Comment

Parkway Paseo del Prado has been laid in the XVIII century. Since then and till now the parkway is the most fashionable place for walks. Streets adjoining to parkway represent "museum district". Tthe best museums of Spain are located there: Prado museum, the Museum of Applied art, the Museum of Army, the Museum of Tissen-Bornemis and others.

Leave a Comment