Today we will be talking about historic and impressive Plazas in Madrid!
As Madrid is a fairly ancient city, you will be stumbling upon a multitude of majestic squares while taking a stroll through the city.
Plaza de Cibeles
Cibeles square is a popular landmark right in the center of Madrid. It is located at an intersection between the streets "Calle Alcalá", "Paseo del Prado" and "Calle de los Recoletos". In the middle of the roundabout, you can see a neo-classical fontain with marble sculptures.
Right behind it, there is the phenomenal Cibeles-building that looks like an enchanted white castle with a host of towers and crowns on top- absolutely spectacular! It is a cultural institution as well as the location of the major´s office. Together, they constitute one of the most photographed motives in the city.
They even have a roof terrace on top and a balcony from where you can enjoy captivating views of the Plaza de Cibeles and the Gran Vía from above!
Definitely a must-do when you´re in Madrid.
I highly recommend going there at night when the lights are turned on around the fountain and the Cibeles building!
Plaza del Callao
This famous square can be found in the middle of Gran Vía.
It was built between 1910 and 1940 and quickly evolved into one of the most prestigious squares of Madrid.
You cannot miss it as it exhibits a score of billboards as well as the Callao Cinema.
It displays the beginning of the shopping streets which leads you right to the "Puerta del Sol" (you`ll hear more about it in another article). A huge shopping mall is also located on the plaza, which is called "Corte Inglés".
The Metro station "Callao" will leave you right in the middle of the Plaza.
During the day, it can get fairly crowded, I recommend going there in the evening when all the billboards enlighten the square with their ads.
Plaza de España
The "square of Spain", so the translation, is a momentous and spacious square at the end of Gran Vía.
It hosts a flurry of events and concerts throughout the year due to its large size. In summer, there are music concerts, outdoor cinema and in the winter there is a huge ice rink.
The square comprises a famous statue of "Don Quijote de la Mancha" riding a horse and his compagnion "Sancho Panza" on a donkey. It is a hommage to the famous novel "Don Quijote" by Miguel de Cervantes (written in 1605). This book was translated into a score of foreign languages and is the most sold novel right after the bible! Can you imagine?
Besides that, the square displays another remarkable monument with a fountain on the other side.
Plaza España has a score of modern metalic art, plenty of space to sit and lawn.
A playground for kids can be found there too.
Plaza de la Villa
This breathtaking, picturesque square is located close to the Cathedral Almudena and the Royal Palace.
The square dates back to the middle ages and shows Madrid´s respectively Spain´s history vividly. It hosts some of the oldest buildings in Madrid and is subsequently a visitor magnet. In the past, it was a cardinal central meeting point for trade and public gatherings.
Particularly three buildings are worth mentioning in this context:
The first one is "Casa y Torre de los Lujanes" which is a house from the 15th century, displaying the typical spanish architecture at that time with gothic and mudéjar elements.
The second one is called "Casa de Cisneros" dates back to 1537 and is an outstanding example for `Plateresque architecture` - an unprecedented blend of renaissance style with gothic and mudéjar.
Lastly, the "Casa de la Villa" from the 17th century was home of the government until 2008.
The statue of "Don Alvaro de Bazan" can also be found there.
I highly recommend you to do a guided city tour, the guides can tell you a lot about this complex and fascinating history!
Let´s chat in the comments and tell me which square in Madrid is your personal highlight!
Wir waren im Frühjahr 2022 in Madrid und ich hätte nicht gedacht, dass mich diese Stadt so fasziniert. Mein Favorit der Plätze ist der Plaza de Cibeles - ein herrlich ruhiger, kleiner u. hübscher Platz mit historischen Häusern. Man denkt, man befindet sich in einer Kleinstadt u. nicht in der Metropole Madrid, absolut sehenswert, wer es etwas kleiner mag. Der Plaza de Cibeles hat mir nachts am besten gefallen, wenn das Gebäude und der Löwenbrunnen angestrahlt sind, wie auf den Fotos. Tagsüber rollt hier viel Verkehr vorbei.