The Cibeles fountain (better known simply as the people of Madrid’s Cibeles) in the city is Spanish in Madrid , in the plaza of the same name . He settled in 1782 in the Salón del Prado , near the Palacio de Buenavista , facing the fountain of Neptune (now at the center of the Plaza de Canovas del Castillo , in the Paseo del Prado near the Palacio de Villahermosa , current Thyssen Museum -Bornemisza , and the Hotel Palace ). Includes the goddess Cybele , the symbol of the Earth, agriculture and fertility, on a chariot pulled by lions. The current square called Plaza de Madrid at the beginning and in the year 1900 took the name Castelar square. Today is bounded by the great edifices of the Palacio de Buenavista (Army Headquarters), Palacio de Linares (Casa de América), Palacio de Comunicaciones (formerly headquarters of the Post and currently mayor of Madrid ) and Bank of Spain . The funny thing is that each of these monuments belong to a different neighborhood of Madrid.

Those responsible for its implementation were Francisco Gutierrez (figure of the goddess and the car), Robert Michel (lions) and decorating Miguel Ximénez , according to the design of Ventura Rodríguez . The Goddess and the lions were carved in marble purple people of Montesclaros ( Toledo ), and the rest in stone Redueña , a town situated 53 km north of Madrid, near the Sierra de La Cabrera [ citation needed ].

History

This source was recreated by the Spanish architect Ventura Rodríguez who conducted the project between 1777 and 1782 . It appears that this source was initially aimed at the Gardens of La Granja de San Ildefonso in Segovia , but when it began to reshape the wide Paseo del Prado, the source was placed in front of the Palacio de Buenavista, very close to him, the entrance to the Paseo de Recoletos and facing the other great source, that of Neptune . Between her and the palace there were small buildings where it was located Inspection Militia and later the presidency of the Council of Ministers, until in 1780 , burned the whole group. Font installed in 1782 , did not work until the year 1792.

In 1895 the monument was moved to the center of the square, placing the goddess looking at the first section of the street of Alcala. This move raised much excitement and criticisms were reflected in the press of the time which gave full details of the controversy between the City and the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando . Until 1981 there was no restoration.

Description and usefulness of the source

The main figure is the goddess Cybele , the sculptor Francisco Gutiérrez . It is mounted on a trolley placed on a rock that stands in the middle of the pylon. In his hands he carries a scepter and a key and on the pedestal is carved a mask that spit water over the Lions to reach the basin, plus a frog and a snake that is always overlooked. Two lions sculpted by the Frenchman Michel Robert , pulling the cart. The lions represent the mythological characters Hippomenes (or Melaión) and Atalanta , the great hunter of the group of Diana . Hippomenes loved her and got her favors with the help of Aphrodite and the trick of golden apples, but by committing sacrilege lovers when they joined in a temple of Cybele , Zeus was furious and turned them into lions forever condemning them to throw carriage of the Great Goddess.

The fountain was a monument not only artistic but also had a profit from the start for Madrid. He had two pipes that were kept rustic to 1862 . In an official water carriers are restocked used to be Asturian and Galician, and brought water to the houses and other public of Madrid. In the drinking trough horses. The water came from a trip waters, according to tradition, dating from the Middle Ages to the time when Madrid was a Muslim. He was reputed to have good curative properties of any wrongdoing. The pipes were cumbersome and difficult to access and were located in the place where suppliers jump today. Precisely for this reason in the year 1862 , the council decided to replace them with two figures symbolic art and design for the village of largely gushing water: a bear and a tap (mythological animal equivalent of the lizard) also were placed so that will facilitate the reconciliation of the people.

In 1895 was the relocation of the fountain in the center of the square. On the occasion of the relevant works were new renovations. The monument was placed on four steps and is surrounded by a fence to prevent access in this case. The source did not meet its mandate because most of the houses had begun to have water or power, so the addition of tap water and the bear took off, returning to the original project of Ventura Rodríguez . Also added to the rear two cherubs, one (whose author is Miguel Ángel Trilles ) pours water from an amphora, and the other (the author is Antonio Parera) holds a conch. But with this change is not brought water lost trip to meet old and the source as a fountain that was built with pipe in the corner of the square side post office. This fountain was still a symbol for the people of Madrid who came there to fill jars, jugs and bottles, as their ancestors. The fountain gave rise to the music he dedicated a song: “Water from the fountain, the best drink Madrid …”

In the mid- twentieth century water supply became more artistic with the addition of various jets jets and cascades, and adding colorful lighting which delighted the people of Madrid. In the upper pool there are two vertical jets reach 5 m in height, accompanied by a series of jets inclined they send water from the goddess to the outside.

Anecdotes

The tap and the bear

Were added in 1862 to replace the pipes that were uncomfortable, but in 1895 , when the source is moved to the center of the square, these two figures were removed altogether. The bear was already a little recognizable stone so we opted for its destruction, but the tap was in good condition and was stored in the warehouses of the village, along with several other pieces of monuments where it was abandoned and forgotten. When in the late twentieth century was restored house Cisneros , someone remembered the tap of Cybele and was transferred to the garden of the building. For its part, the bear adorned one of the rides Menagerie Retiro. Currently, both the bear and the dragon are part of the collections of the Museum of the Origins of Madrid , in which Renaissance courtyard can be seen, along with Tritons and Nereids auctions of four sources of Paseo del Prado .

The gate

On the same occasion the transfer of the source was added a fence surrounding it entirely. Over the years, a new reworking the gate disappeared without any explanation to give City Council and people forgot about it until recently (late twentieth century ) gave reporters his whereabouts by accident and informed : is at the entrance to the site of the headquarters of the band of bugles and drums of the municipal police, which is located near the French bridge .

Civil War

During the Spanish Civil War , the Republican side, still dominated Madrid, Cibeles fountain covered with a mountain of sandbags to protect against bombs and shooting the enemy camp (which had already caused damage in his right arm, nose and the nose of one of the lions), through which avoided major damage to the monument.

In 1994 and 2002 the statue was mutilated to be so torn on both occasions a hand in one of the original hand appeared occasionally, but not the other, having to be replaced by a new modern origin.

Place of Real Madrid

The area around the Cibeles fountain is traditional meeting place for holding the titles of Real Madrid football club from the late 80 (from the mid-70 had been a venue for casual and spontaneous fans another great team and city rivals Atletico Madrid ). The story of their relationship dates back to June 18, 1986, when former Real Madrid player Emilio Butragueno scored four goals in a game of World Cup 1986 in Mexico between the teams of Spain and Denmark in the knockout round.

This event led to dozens of people concentrated in that source to the cry of Oa, oa, oa, Butragueño the Moncloa (a few days were going to celebrate that year’s general elections ). Since then the Cibeles fountain became the venue of the most important victories and titles of Real Madrid.

At first everyone climbed the fountain in the celebrations, but assuring the conservation of the monument, the Madrid City Council has restricted access only to the players, then going to put a walkway around the fountain to prohibit access also the players. When Real Madrid won the Liga 2002/2003 , no player was able to touch the goddess, which caused the anger of the captains with the mayor .

In celebration of the 30th League (2006/2007) , the master of Madrid ( Raul ) reached the sculpture from a crane and placed a scarf on your computer. For the celebrations of the season 2007/2008 , the City installed a gateway to Raul could access the goddess with less difficulty than the previous year. This happened again on the morning of April 21, 2011, after the Real Madrid became champions of the Copa del Rey the previous day, April 20, 2011, after beating FC Barcelona in the final (played in Mestalla, Valencia) by one goal to nil.

On this occasion, the captain Iker Casillas in the neck was placed a flag of Spain as Real Madrid and a team scarf to finish kissing the goddess.

Being located in a place so central, its busy history, even recent traditions as a place for sports events have helped make it one of the best known symbols of Madrid. In cases where the alarms of the House of Gold Bank of Spain jump for attempted robbery, all rooms of the chamber was flooded with water from La Cibeles, thanks to the channeling of water from source to stay above .

El Campo Del Moro is a city garden in Spanish in Madrid . Declared a historic-artistic interest in 1931 , occupies a surface of about 20 acres, extending from east to west, from the western facade of the Palacio Real to the Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto. From north to south with its boundaries set by the Cuesta de San Vicente (north side) and the Cuesta de la Vega and the Park of Athens (south side).

The gardens save a steep slope, caused by the ravine between the palace and the banks of the Manzanares River . Were drawn in 1844by architect Narciso PascualY Colomer, who devised a formal set, while landscaping works could not be carried out until the end of the 19th century . These were given by Ramon Oliva, which altered the original concept through an approach romantic .

It is one of the three gardens that adorn the halls environment Palacio Real , but, unlike the other two (the Sabatini Gardens and the Plaza de Oriente ), their management is not the City of Madrid, but National Heritage , a body which depend on possessions that were in the hands of the Spanish Crown .

Place Names

Land located between the Royal Palace and the valley of the Manzanares River were only known as the Campo del Moro from the 19th century . It comes from the promoters of the gardens, who, looking for a name, they turned to historical episodes.

The fact that reference was taken as the attack on the city starring Be Yusuf Ali Muslim leader who, in 1109 , attempted to retake the square of Madrid , in the hands of Christians. Presumably, had camped with his troops at the site now stands the whole garden.

History

Background

The idea of building a playground in the spot now occupied by the Campo del Moro is prior to the building of the Palacio Real de Madrid .The first attempts came in times of Felipe II ( 1527 – 1,598 ), who commissioned a project to bridge the gap between the Real Alcazar , in which the palace was erected solar current, and the hollow of the Manzanares River . However, such an initiative could not be implemented.

Later, Philip IV ( 1 605 – one thousand six hundred sixty-five ), who used the place for hunting, ordered the planting of different tree species, mostly elms .

With the construction of Royal Palace , whose construction began in 1738 , four years after the fire of Alcazar , was performed numerous site management plans, which could not materialize due to the scarcity of water, the difficulties offered by the terrain and the absence of economic resources.

This is the case of projects promoted by the kings Philip V ( 1,683 – 1 746 ) and Carlos III ( 1 716 – 1788 ), commissioned from different architects of the palace ( Juan Bautista Sachetti , Francisco Sabatini and Ventura Rodríguez ) and Spanish outfielder Esteban Boutelou .The latter, backed by his experience in front of the gardens of Aranjuez ( Madrid ) and La Granja de San Ildefonso ( Segovia ), devised two classic design layouts 1746 and 1747 , very difficult to execute, since it is not fully adapted to the topographic characteristics of the soil.

Instead, it could be done to design the architect Juan de Villanueva ( 1,739 – 1,811 ), with whom he was connected, through an artificial grotto, the Royal Palace to the gardens of the Casa de Campo , on the other side of Manzanares River .
It was excavated in 1810 during the reign of Joseph I , a year before the death of Villanueva. In 1891 underwent a renovation, which consisted of installing rock garden as an ornamental. There are still several sections of this corridor, located the most relevant, in the Campo del Moro own and under the old Camino de Castilla.

Plot final

The final impetus for the realization of the gardens took place in 1844 , when Agustín Argüelles Álvarez ( 1776 – 1884 ), tutor to Queen Elizabeth II during his minority, and Martin de los Heros ( 1783 – 1859 ), mayor of the Royal Heritage, commissioned the architect of the palace, Narciso Pascual y Colomer ( 1 808 – 1,870 ), a new design.
Said architect, who was also the layout of the Plaza de Oriente , planned as a focal point building a great avenue between the Royal Palace and the Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto. This not only saved the steep slope, but enhanced the view of the western facade of the building. To level the ground, were used, among other materials, debris from the churches and homes demolished during the expansion of the Puerta del Sol .

The importance of this axis was underlined with the installation of two monumental fountains that of the shells , brought from the palace of the Infante Don Luis ( Boadilla del Monte , Madrid ), and the Tritons , which was the original site of the Island Garden ( Aranjuez , Madrid).

The works of the gardens were suspended after the triumph of the revolution of 1868 , known as The Glorious and the subsequent exile ofIsabella II . Could resume in the last decade of the nineteenth century , during the regency of Maria Cristina of Hapsburg , when it came to planting approximately 9,500 trees (including 400 palm trees) and 20,800 shrubs (of which 12,000 were roses), under the Ramon Oliva gardener’s address.

In 1898 the premises were built in various wooden houses, made in style Tyrolean . Must be the architect and gardener Mary Repullés Enrique , who also designed the decoration of the grotto designed by Juan de Villanueva .
During the Spanish Civil War ( 1 936 – one thousand nine hundred and thirty-nine ), the Campo del Moro suffered significant damage. It was restored in the forties of the twentieth century and in 1960 , built a new building inside, which is home to the Carriage Museum in Madrid .

Description

The gardens are echoed in the layout of various schools, the result of the vicissitudes that occurred during different phases of its construction. Hence, it does not possess similar characteristics and combine styles as diverse as the formalism (found on the main promenade, designed by Pascual y Colomer) or naturalism (which chairs the paths designed by Ramón Oliva).
The mixture of influences is also visible in the buildings housing the enclosure, with allusions to rural models (such as houses Tyroleandevised by Repullés), the neo-Gothic architecture or functional (the case of building Carriage Museum , designed by architect Ramon Andrada ).

From the point of view of the landscape, dominated by trees, set up following the likes romantic at the time, that join landscape touches English, if the Prairies of the Sun Views.

Gateways

El Campo del Moro is rectangular. Its perimeter is enclosed by a wall of white stone and brick, on which rests a wrought iron fence. Its eastern side has no access, in the face of the embankments on which sit the Sabatini Gardens , the Royal Palace , the Armory Square and the Cathedral de la Almudena .

It has only three entries, located on the other side: one in the Cuesta de San Vicente (north), another in the Cuesta de la Vega (south) and the main Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto (west). None of them has artistic value of special interest, beyond the decorative elements, such as different artistic vases.

The first two doors, restricted access, are interconnected by a longitudinal ride, located at the upper garden at the foot of the Royal Palace . This avenue runs through the halls of the Fountain of the Tritons , the stove or Camelias Big Pond and Waterfall, whose visit is not open to the public. The lower zone of the Campo del Moro really is open access at specific times through the door of the Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto.

Central axis

This is because Narciso Pascual y Colomer, who conceived a great ride, following the east-west, communicate directly Royal Palace with the banks of the Manzanares River . This avenue, known as the Plains of the Views of the Sun, was the centerpiece of a path Hippodamus , articulated from a series of parallel and perpendicular walks, whose crosses are available in small squares circular or semicircular.

In its design could only be cited avenue effect, that from the urban point of view, is the most important part of the site, to ensure the panorama of the palace through a proper distribution of the ground levels. It is flanked by trees and has a wide median, landscaped with prairie arranged in two sections and guarded on both sides by an earth walk.
The draft Pascual y Colomer includes the installation of two monumental fountains that are currently located at the top and middle of the main shaft:

Fountain of the Tritons

It rises at the foot of the western facade of the palace on the highest point of the avenue and around the campus. It was built in Italy in the seventeenth century (or probably in the late 16th century ) and moved to Spain in 1656 , the year in which Philip IV ordered the installation at Garden Island ( Aranjuez , Madrid ). In 1846 it was placed in its present location. Carved in marble white, takes its name from the four sculptures of mythological Tritons located at its base.

Fuente de las Conchas

Designed  for  because it is e the last third of the 18th century , by Ventura Rodriguez . He decorated the gardens of the Palacio del Infante Don Luis ( Boadilla del Monte , Madrid )-owned by Luis Antonio de Borbón y Farnese – until his transfer to the Campo del Moro in the nineteenth century , where it occupies the center of the avenue. It was sculpted by Francisco Gutiérrez Arribas and Manuel Alvarez Greek. Like the Fountain of the Tritons , these mythological characters are their main reason. It is also done in marble white.

Other rides

The remaining trips are made by Ramón Oliva. Responding to a model romantic , far removed from formal schemes, grid, Pascual y Colomer. They have irregular layouts, with plenty of curves. There are also many half-hidden paths, alternative routes and shortcuts, in line with the tastes landscape of romance . Is the case in the ways of the Four Keys and Strings.

One can only derogate from the Paseo de Damas, heir to the design Hippodamus Pascual y Colomer. Start near the Cuesta de San Vicente and ends at the Plaza de la Reina Maria Cristina of Hapsburg, located at the southern end of the enclosure. It follows a north-south and cross the prairies to the Views of the Sun in the confluence of the aforementioned latches Fuente de las Conchas .
The Plantain Walk, named for the plant species that dominates the route, model exemplifies the romantic above. Its origin is near the entrance to the Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto, where it takes a southeasterly direction, forming a wide curve and passing feet of the Almudena Cathedral . Connects with the Ladies Walk through the Forest of the Cup, which owes its name to a tree of considerable size, which amongst others.

Buildings of interest

In addition to sources of the Prairies of the Sun Views, Campo del Moro has other buildings of historical interest. The age and technical complexity, deserves special mention is the cave of Juan de Villanueva , whose access is installed under the stairs at the entrance of Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto.

Numerous ornamental motifs, which include different artistic vases, flower beds , ponds, rockeries , small fonts (like the Almendrita), avian and sculptures (statues case of Isabel II and Francis of Assisi of Bourbon ). Many of these elements are located in remote sites, following the guidelines scenic romantic .

Among the buildings, highlight the large stove or Camelias, the Chalet of the Cork and Queen’s cottage, the latter two made in wood by Repullés late nineteenth century . In the second half of the twentieth century dates the Carriage Museum , arranged in hexagonal modules, with which its architect, Ramon Andrada, foresaw possible extensions. It houses a varied collection of carriages, which belonged to the Spanish Crown . Calls Black Chariot ( XVII century ), Chair of Carlos III ( XVIII century ) and the Crown Saloon ( XIX century ) are among the most relevant pieces.

Plant and animal species

The gardens are inhabited by 70 species of trees. Some specimens have more than 150 years, if an Aleppo pine that is over 30 meters high. Also characterized by their age and size a pine tree , a sequoia and two yews .
In the Campo del Moro live numerous birds , comprising species characteristic of the parks, like the peacock , the pheasant , the doveand pigeon .

Panoramas

El Campo del Moro is located at the foot of the founding nucleus of Madrid . The origin of this city dates back to the ninth century , when a Muslim fortress was built atop a hill, under which stood a great rock, which provided his defense.

Despite the leveling of the land from which the compound object is located mainly in the 19th century , the steep slope that still exists allows one to view different scenarios, which are among the most characteristic of the Madrid skyline . The most famous is that of the western facade of the Palacio Real , the contemplation of which is underlined by the longitudinal layout of the Prairies of the Sun Views.

Less known are the views of the Catedral de la Almudena and the western arch of the Armory Square, which are almost hidden by leafy trees overlooking the southern part of the garden. Still, the Paseo de Bananas offers different views of this monumental.

From the highest part of the Campo del Moro (that is, from its eastern side), it is possible to see almost all of the gardens and the forest area of the Casa de Campo , which extends beyond the right margin of Manzanares River, through the Puente del Rey .

Schedule

WINTER

(October-March): Monday to Saturday from 10.00 to 18.00 hours – Sunday and holidays from 9.00 to 18.00

SUMMER

(April to September): Monday to Saturday from 10.00 to 20.00 hours – Sunday and holidays from 9.00 to 20.00

Closed: When events are held official – 1 and January 6 – 1 and May 15 – October 12 – November 9 – 24, 25 and December 31

The Teatro Real (literally Royal Theatre) or simply El Real (as it is known colloquially), is a major opera house located in Madrid, Spain.

Europe is literally littered with palaces spanning the medieval era and beyond and Spain is no exception to this trend. However, a big difference with the Palacio Real or Royal Palace in Madrid is the access that it grants to the public. As one of the most popular attractions in Madrid, the Royal Palace has an impressive display of royal artifacts and valuables. The Royal Armory Museum is also one of the best museums in Madrid, thanks to its collection of weaponry.

There are a vast number of rooms available for viewing for the general public as the current royal family no longer resides at this one. Not to say that the Palace Zarzuela, the permanent home of the royal family, isn’t desirable, but the interior décor and massive palace grounds of the Royal Palace are so astonishingly gorgeous that an experience viewing it strongly begs the question why the royal family would ever choose anything over this as their primary residence.

At a glance –

Architect:  Antonio López Aguado, Custodio Moreno

Capacity : 1,746

Type: Opera

House: Opened November 19, 1850

Reopened: 1966

Rebuilt: 1991-1997, Jaime González Varcárcel, Miguel Verdú Belmonte, and Francisco Rodríguez Partearroyo

Closed: 1925

History

After 32 years of planning and construction, a Royal Order on 7 May 1850 decreed the immediate completion of the “Teatro de Oriente” and the building works were finished within five months. The Opera House, located just in front of the Palacio Real, the official residence of the Queen who ordered the construction of the theatre, Isabel II, was finally inaugurated on 19 November 1850, with Donizetti’s La Favorite. In 1863, Giuseppe Verdi visited the theatre for the Spanish premiere of his La Forza del Destino. In 1925, the Ballets Russes of Diaghilev performed in the theatre with the presence of Nijinsky and Stravinsky.

From 1867 it housed the Madrid Royal Conservatory until 1925 when a Royal Order on 6 December called for eviction owing to the damage that the construction of the Metro de Madrid had caused to the building. The theatre reopened in 1966 as a concert theatre and the main concert venue of the Spanish National Orchestra and the RTVE Symphony Orchestra. In 1969, the 14th Eurovision Song Contest was held at the theatre, featuring an onstage metal sculpture created by surrealist Spanish artist, Salvador Dalí.

In the 1990s, the house was remodelled to host opera again and reopened in 1997. The first opera program performed for the reopening was Manuel de Falla’s El sombrero de tres picos and La vida breve, which was immediately followed by the world premiere of Spanish composer Antón García Abril’s Divinas Palabras (actually commissioned to open the house) with Plácido Domingo in the cast. The company staged the first modern revival of Vicente Martín y Soler’s I, burbero di buon cuore in 2007.

Entrance

High metal gates added in the 19th century and hired Spanish guards protect the main public entrance at the Plaza de Armas of the Spanish Royal Palace. Upon entry to the courtyard one can see the magnificent aqueducts that line the left wing of the palace. The view from beneath these aqueducts is stunning but hard to stay focused on when the view of the actual anticipated palace itself is so beautiful. It’s best to take your time at this lookout after you’ve been through all of the rooms.

Across from the aqueducts and to the right of the main entryway to the palace is the Royal Pharmacy. This is the first room that grants access to the public and it is one of the most interesting in its inventory. The walls are lined with shelves that hold ridiculously oversized vats, bottles, cupboards, bowls and numerous types of glass and metal containers filled with medicines used years ago for the royal family and their guests. Some of the names are familiar while others are suspiciously odd. The entire collection is awe-inspiring and truly beautiful, something that can’t be said of any modern day medicine cabinets.

This part of the palace is separate from the main tour and entryway but is definitely worth a visit so be sure to catch it either on your way in or out of the actual palace itself.

Main Hall

The actual doors to the palace are simple enough, gated with red velvet ropes to regulate the number of people in the palace at one time, so do expect to wait a bit here. However, as you move forward, you’ll understand why people are taking so long to make it through this first hall. The massive stairway leads up to breathtaking frescoes, murals and marble and this is literally just the beginning. The art and architecture only gets more fantastic from this point on so brace yourself if you’re already in awe.

Rooms and Décor

The rest of the Madrid Royal Palace is a series of bedrooms, dining rooms, kitchens, armories, parlor rooms, sitting rooms, reading rooms, every type of room you could possibly imagine that a palace would require. Unfortunately, many of the rooms are still inaccessible by the public but you will by no means be disappointed by what is revealed to you. Each room seems to have had its own exquisite designer as no two rooms look alike and seem to have been decorated in different styles, guaranteeing that you won’t be bored by the experience.

The high ceilings and wall/ceiling paintings alone would suffice in captivating any audience, with works by famous names such as Francisco Goya, Caravaggio, Velazquez and others. But it gets even better with not only the magnificent architecture, textures, fabrics, rugs, marbles and woods, but the wealth of the decor and actual objects that fill the rooms, from stunning porcelain pieces and rare instruments to authentic weaponry and exquisite furniture and dining pieces. It’s all really just overwhelmingly awesome.

The company

The theatre stages around seventeen opera titles (both own productions and co-productions with other major European opera houses) per year, as well as two or three major ballets and several recitals. The orchestra of the Teatro Real is the Orquesta Sinfónica de Madrid. The current general director is Gerard Mortier.

If the pure richness of every room isn’t enough to blow your mind then be sure to read or listen to the history involved in each room. You can actually see the beds where famous kings were born and where strategic marriages were consummated. The history lies in every step you take. If you want to know more about the history then a guided tour is recommended.

The guided tours last about 45 minutes and only cost 1 euro more than going through the palace on your own. They are super informative but you are stuck with the group you go with and move at the group’s pace. If you want to go on your own, there are still signs posted in all of the rooms that explain any significant moments that happened in them and what they were used for so you won’t miss out on all of the information.

Other than the palace itself, the grounds are quite stunning. If the weather is nice, it’s worth taking a walk through the back gardens that house a magnificent pond and beautiful plants in warmer seasons.

There is also the Teatro Real, or Royal Theater Opera House just past the gardens that is worth a visit either for a tour or an actual show. The building itself is magnificent and was recently restored to its original condition. The theater has housed magnificent performers including Diaghelev’s Russian Ballet troupe in the 1920’s and has just as much history as the palace itself, so a tour is strongly recommended.

Palace Location:

Bailén St.

Hours:

October – March:
Mon – Sat: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm

Sundays/Holidays 9:30 am – 2:00 pm

April – September:
Mon – Sat: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sundays/Holidays: 9:30 am – 3:00 pm

Prices:

Adults: $10EU
Seniors/Children/Students with ID: $3.50EU
Children under 5: Free

The Puerta del Sol (Spanish for “Gate of the Sun”) is one of the best known and busiest places in Madrid. This is the centre (Km 0) of the radial network of Spanish roads. The square also contains the famous clock whose bells mark the traditional eating of the Twelve Grapes and the beginning of a new year. The New Year’s celebration has been broadcast live on TV since 31 December 1962.

Location in Madrid

The Puerta is located in the very heart of Madrid. Immediately to the southwest lies the Plaza Mayor; the Palacio Real, the official home of the Royal Family, is further west. Parliament and the museum district are to the east and the train station Atocha is to the southeast.

Under the square lies a public transport hub served by lines 1, 2 and 3 of the Madrid Metro. A commuter service was inaugurated on June 27, 2009, four years behind schedule. The lateness of the construction was in part due to the discovery of the remains of the Church of Our Lady of Good Success during the excavation of the main chamber. The new station connects the Puerta to Madrid’s commuter rail system and, by extension, to Spain’s railroads via direct connections to Atocha and Chamartín railway stations .

History

The Puerta Del Sol originated as one of the gates in the city wall that surrounded Madrid in the 15th century. Outside the wall, medieval suburbs began to grow around the Christian Wall of the 12th century. The name of the gate came from the rising sun which decorated the entry, since the gate was oriented to the east.Between the 17th and 19th centuries, the area was an important meeting place: as the goal for the couriers coming from abroad and other parts of Spain to the Post Office, it was visited by those eager for the latest news. The stairs to the Saint Philip church at the square were known as the Gradas de San Felipe, and were among the most prolific mentideros de la Corte (approx. trans. would be “lie-spreaders of the Court”).

The House of the Post Office was built by French Architect Jacques Marquet between 1766 and 1768. The building was the headquarters of the Ministry of Interior and State Security during the Francisco Franco dictatorship. It is currently the seat of the Presidency of the Madrid Community.

Famous buildings and landmarks

If you look to the “flat” south side of the semi circle you will see a clock tower, part of a building known as the “Real Casa de Correos”. This was originally built in the 18th century as part of the Post Office, and now functions as the headquarters of the President of Madrid’s Autonomous Community.

The clock is the famous clock all Spaniards turn their eyes to on New Year’s Eve, guzzling down a grape to each of it’s twelve chimes at midnight. Millions watch on TV and what sometimes seems like millions more brave the cold here in the square. If you’re here on New Year’s Eve this is a marvellous experience (see our information on Christmas & New Year in Madrid).

The Puerta del Sol contains a number of well known sights associated both domestically and internationally with Spain. On the south side, the old Post Office serves as the office of the President of Madrid, the head of the regional government of the Autonomous Community of Madrid (not to be confused with the Madrid City Council, which is housed elsewhere).

Also on its south side, the square holds a mounted statue of Charles III of Spain, nicknamed “el rey alcalde” (“the king mayor”) due to the extensive public works programme he set in motion. The famous Tío Pepe lighted sign is above the square’s eastern building between the Calle de Alcalá and the Carrera de San Jerónimo. On the east side lies a statue of a bear and a madrone tree (madroño), the heraldic symbol of Madrid. Until 2009, the statue stood on the north side at the entrance to Calle del Carmen. The Mariblanca (actually Venus) marks the place of a former fountain.

The kilómetro cero is a plaque on the ground directly north of the Post Office serving as the symbolic centre of Spain. In addition to signalling the basis of numbering in the Spanish road system, the symbolic nature of the plaza ensures that it is the site of many rallies and protests, particularly against violence and war. Sol has seen protests against the terrorism perpetrated the March 11th attacks on commuter trains, and Spain’s involvement in the Iraq War .

In 2011, the square has become established as a focal point and a symbol for the ongoing Spanish democracy demonstrations. The demostrations included camping in the middle of the plaza (acampada) initiated on May 15th amidst the election campaing for city halls and Autonomous Communities governments and fuelled up by Social media, particularly Twitter and Facebook. The demostrations have then spread to many (more than 60) other cities in Spain.

Since this is now Madrid’s most central location, it is an excellent area to in which to stay and there are many hotels, hostals (smaller, often family-run hotels) and tourist apartments nearby.

Tourist Accommodation within 1000 meters of the square, Near the Puerta del Sol, Madrid -

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The square connects several commercial and recreational areas together, and thus both it and the surrounding streets consist mainly of shopping establishments catering to locals and tourists alike, like the several El Corte Inglés department store buildings in Preciados Street, La Mallorquina cafe, and numerous, ever-changing restaurants. The area remains active late into the night and early morning since nearby bars and dance clubs often only start entertainment at 1 am. Street music is also common in the area.

The hallmark of any great city is its urban park! Commonly located at the center of its core, urban parks play a significant role in providing traffic-choked cities with much-needed green lungs. As well as recreation, sporting and cultural venues for residents and visitors alike. Here’s a look at some of the larger urban parks from across the world, as seen in through the lens of Google Earth.

The Buen Retiro Park (Jardines del Buen Retiro or Parque del Buen Retiro, literally “Gardens” or “Park of the Pleasant Retreat”, or simply El Retiro) is the largest park of the city of Madrid, Spain.

The Parque del Buen Retiro is a spectacular urban oasis of 1.4 km2 (350 acres) ( 130 hectares) park of aromatic bay leaf trees, ponds, rose gardens, stunning fountains and museums, at the edge of the city center, very close to the Puerta de Alcalá and not far from the Prado Museum. The Retiro Park features the former grounds of Real Sitio del Buen Retiro Palace, a 17th century weekend palace of King Philips IV. Although the original palace has since been torn down, two remaining palace buildings remain within the park, which now serve as museums. The main park entrance sits behind the Alcala Gate in the Plaza de la Independence.

The park belonged to the Spanish Monarchy until the late 19th century, when it became a public park.

The Parque del Buen Retiro is the most popular park in Madrid. It can get crowded during weekends when many Madrilenian families go for a stroll in the park and street musicians, sidewalk painters, fortune tellers, jugglers and street performers animate the crowd.

Features of the Park

Close to the northern entrance of the park is the Estanque del Retiro (“Retiro Pond”), a large artificial pond. Next to it is the monument to King Alfonso XII, featuring a semicircular colonnade and an equestrian statue of the monarch on the top of a tall central core.

The Rosaleda rose garden, among the many rose bushes of all kinds stands the Fountain of the Falling Angel, erected in 1922, whose main sculpture El Angel Caído (at the top) is a work by Ricardo Bellver (1845–1924) inspired by a passage from John Milton’s Paradise Lost, which represents Lucifer falling from Heaven. It is claimed that this statue is the only known public monument of the devil.

The Artichoke fountain has been a beloved Madrid landmark since architect; Ventura Rodriguez constructed it from granite and white stone in 1781. Originally located in the Glorieta de Atocha, a busy Madrid street, it was relocated to the Retiro Park because all the attention it garnered caused traffic problems. The fountain features an elaborate baroque design complete with tritons, Greek gods and of course, an artichoke.

The few remaining buildings of the Buen Retiro Palace, including Casón del Buen Retiro and the Museo del Ejército, now house museum collections. The Casón has a collection of 19th and 20th century paintings, including art by the Spanish painter Joaquín Sorolla. The Ejército is one of Spain’s foremost Army museums and it houses “La Tizona” the sword of the famous Spanish warrior El Cid. There are displays of armor, a cross carried by Christopher Columbus on his sea voyage to the New World and other artifacts.

Since assuming its role as a public park the late 19th century, the “Parque del Retiro” has been used as a venue for various international exhibitions. Several emblematic buildings have remained as testimony to such events, including the Minig building, popularly known as the Velázquez Palace (1884) by architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco, and the Palacio de Cristal (“Crystal Palace”), a glass pavilion inspired by The Crystal Palace in London, undoubtedly the gardens’ most extraordinary building.

Built along with its artificial pond in 1887 by architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco for the Philippine Islands Exhibitions, it was first used to display flower species indigenous to the islands. The landscape-style gardens located in the former “Campo Grande” are also a reminder of the international exhibitions that have taken place here in the past.

The Paseo de la Argentina, also popularly known as Paseo de las Estatuas (“Statue Walk”), is decorated with some of the statues of kings from the Royal Palace, sculpted between 1750 and 1753. There are now art galleries in the Crystal Palace, Palacio de Velázquez, and Casa de Vacas.

In the Retiro Park is also the Forest of the Departed (Bosque de los Ausentes), a memorial monument to commemorate the 191 victims of the 11 March 2004 Madrid attacks.

Activities

From late May through early October, every Sunday at midday, the Banda Sinfónica de Madrid gives free concerts from the bandstand in the park near the Calle d’Alcala. Manuel Lillo Torregrosa composed ‘Kiosko del Retiro’ to this bandstand. The Park also features an annual Book Fair.

Around the lake, Retiro Pond, many puppet shows perform, and all manner of street performers and fortune tellers. Rowboats can be rented to paddle about the Estanque, and horse-drawn carriages are available.

Many local families spend their Sunday afternoons here, renting a horse-drawn carriage or paddling a rowboat in the pond. But it wasn’t always this democratic, as in the 17th century only the royal family was allowed to use it privately, hosting pageants, bullfights, and mock naval battles. Only a century later did it open to the public, but even then visitors had to be formally dressed to enter.

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 A magnificent park, filled with beautiful sculpture and monuments, galleries, a peaceful lake and host to a variety of events, it is one of Madrid’s premier attractions. The park is entirely surrounded by the present-day city.

The Plaza Mayor was built during the Habsburg period and is a central plaza in the city of Madrid, Spain. It is located only a few Spanish blocks away from another famous plaza, the Puerta Del Sol.

As you walk down Calle Mayor from Puerta Del Sol towards the Royal Palace, you might think it would be easy to spot the Plaza Mayor. From the street known as Mayor, the building surrounding the Plaza Mayor does not stand out from other structures; you will need to look closely for the passageways that are the entrances to this plaza.

History

Juan de Herrera was the artist who designed the first project in 1560 to remodel the old “Plaza del Arrabal” but construction did not start until 1617, during Philip III’s reign.

The origins of the Plaza go back to 1576 when Philip I asked Juan de Herrera, a renowned Classical architect, to discuss a plan to remodel the busy and chaotic area of the old Plaza del Arrabal. Philip II ordered the construction of the square as part of his plan to make Madrid the capitial of Spain.

The king asked Juan Gomez de Mora to continue with the project, and he finished the porticoes.  In the center of the plaza sits the statue of Philip III, straddling his horse. He is honored here for completing the construction of the square in 1619 A.D.

Nevertheless, the Plaza Mayor as we know it today is the work of the architect Juan de Villanueva who was given the glorious, albeit difficult task of its reconstruction in 1790 after a series of enormous fires. Giambologna’s equestrian statue of Philip III dates to 1616, but it was not placed in the centre of the square until 1848.

Names

Over the years, the square has had many different names. Originally it was called the “Plaza del Arrabal” but became known as the “Plaza Mayor”. Located at the confluence of the paths towards Toledo and Atocha, it was originally the site of the “Plaza del Arrabal” market and thus took this name before later becoming the Plaza Mayor.

In 1812, following a decree all the major plazas of Spain were renamed “Plaza de la Constitución”, in honour of the Constitution of 1812. The plaza had this name until the restoration of the Borbón king in 1814 when it became known as the “Plaza Real”. The plaza once again held the name “Plaza de la Constitución” in the periods from 1820 to 1823, 1833 to 1835, and 1840 to 1843.

In 1873, the name changed to “Plaza de la República”, and then back to “Plaza de la Constitución” from the restoration of Alfonso XII in 1876 to the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera in 1922. A proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic gave the plaza the name of “Plaza de la Constitución” until the end of the Spanish Civil War when the plaza was renamed the “Plaza Mayor,” the name it bears to date.

Monuments & Events

The Plaza Mayor is rectangular in shape, measuring 129 by 94 metres, and is surrounded by three-story residential buildings having 237 breathtaking balconies facing the Plaza. It has a total of nine entranceways. The Casa de la Panadería, serving municipal and cultural functions, dominates the Plaza Mayor.

There is a bronze statue of King Philips III at the center of the square, constructed in 1616 by Jean Boulogne and Pietro Tacca.

A small detail of the painting adorning the section of the Plaza Mayor known as Casa Panaderia. This painting was added to the square after Casa Panaderia was rebuilt in 1692 due to a fire.

The Plaza Mayor has been the scene of multitudinous events: markets, bullfights, crowning ceremonies, soccer games, public executions. Inquisition trials and diverse fiestas have all taken place right here in the square. During the Spanish Inquisition, “autos de fe” against supposed heretics and the executions of those condemned to death.

Celebrations for San Isidro, patron saint of Madrid, are also held here.

Hotels & Restaurent

The Plaza Mayor also has a ring of old and traditional shops and cafes under its porticoes. In the summer the Mayor square is full of tables. Take a seat in one during lunch or dinner and a waiter will arrive from one of the surrounding restaurants with a menu in hand. The square is often used as a central meeting location for tourist families and tourist groups.

On the ground floor level of the Plaza Mayor building are cafes, bars, shops, and restaurants, most catering to the tourist. Among the shops can be found dealers in antiques, coins, and military memorabilia.

Despite the rather high prices charged by the restaurants and cafés under the arches that skirt the square, this is still a marvellous place to sit out, try some good Spanish wine, sample some tasty tapas and watch the passers-by.

And since it is located in the historic centre of Madrid, staying in this area is ideal to see the city’s sights and monuments. Places to stay within 1000 metres of this majestic Plaza.

Tourist Accommodation Near the Plaza Mayor, Madrid

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Visiting the square, you will not witness any executions, but you might witness a coin or stamp show (on Sundays), a free concert, or residents taking their evening strolls. The Plaza Mayor is now a major tourist attraction, visited by thousands of tourists a year.

Plaza de España (or “Spain Square” in English) is one of Madrid’s largest and most popular squares of tourist destination, located in central Madrid, Spain, at the western end of the beautiful Gran Vía. It is one of Madrid’s busiest streets. It features a large fountain and famous monument to honoring the Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, and is bordered by two of Madrid’s most prominent skyscrapers. Also, the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) is a short walk south from the plaza.

Plaza de España is also the name of a Metro station located on the eastern corner of the plaza, serviced by the #3 and #10 lines, with a connection to the #2 line.

History

Located close to the Palacio Real (Royal Palace), the site was occupied by a military barracks. After it was demolished, a new public square was created. It became a popular meeting place in the 1950s, after two of Madrid’s largest buildings were constructed: the Edificio de España and the Torre de Madrid. Both buildings were constructed by the project developer Metropolitana and designed by the Otamendi brothers.

In 1808, the area was part of the Principe Pío hill. It was one of the locations used by the French firing squads to execute prisoners taken during the May 2nd uprising.

Skyscrapers

The Edificio de España was built between 1947 and 1953 and is the more elegant of the two skyscrapers. It consists of a central 25 story tower flanked by two wings.

The Torre de Madrid was built in 1957. At the time of construction, it was the tallest concrete building in the world with a height of 142m or almost 466ft. Nicknamed La Jirafe or ‘giraffe’, it was the tallest building in Madrid until the Torre Picasso was built in 1989.

Monument to Miguel de Cervantes

The most popular sight at the Plaza de España is the monument to Spanish novelist, poet and playwright Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, writer of the world famous story of Don Quixote de la Mancha and his trusty squire, Sancho Panza, located in the center of the plaza.

The monument was designed by architects Rafael Martínez Zapatero and Pedro Muguruza and sculptor Lorenzo Coullaut Valera. Most of the monument was built between 1925 and 1930. It was finished between 1956 and 1957 by Federico Coullaut-Valera Mendigutia, the son of the original sculptor.

The tower portion of the monument includes a stone sculpture of Cervantes, which overlooks bronze sculptures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza. Next to the tower, there are two stone representations of Don Quixote’s “true love”, one as the simple peasant woman Aldonza Lorenzo, and one as the beautiful, imaginary Dulcinea Del Toboso.

Visitors flock to the monument to get their picture taken in front of the bronze statues of Don Quixote on his horse and Sancho Panza on his mule. Behind them, a statue of Cervantes himself, looking over his creations.

The green square is surrounded by streets, but it is still a very relaxing place during daytime. On a sunny day it is filled with street vendors, tourists and sunbathing locals.