|
Puerta del Sol (Gate of the Sun)
 In
the 17th century Plaza Mayor was constructed and the Puerta del
Sol (Gate of the Sun) became the spiritual heart of not only Madrid
but all of Spain. It is the centrally located and is the starting
point for any tour of the city. On the southern side, a
small a small bronze plaque marks km 0, the point from which distances
along the country's highways are measured. The main building on
the square is the Casa de Correos, where the regional government
of the Comunidad de Madrid convenes. An equestrian statue of Bourbon
king Carlos III stands in the middle of the junction. Just across
the street is a statue of a bear nuzzling a strawberry tree is
also a symbol of the city. Outside the gate, where Calle de Alcala
and Carrera de San Jeronimo meet is the church of Buen Suceso,
in front of which is a fountain topped by a statue of Diana.
Plaza Mayor
 Built
during the reign of Felipe III in the 17th century, Plaza Mayor
is a well preserved and extremely beautiful square. An equestrian
statue of Felipe lies at the center of the Plaza. Thee Casa de
la Panadería, with its twin towers and spires built in
Flemish style majestically adorns the plaza. For centuries the
square was the center of several historic events. Political demonstrations,
market fairs, festivals, bull fights and executions were all conducted
in the square.
Plaza de Cibeles
Plaza de Cibeles lies at the convergence of Alcala, Paseo del
Prado and Paseo de Los Recoletos. At the center is a wonderful
fountain dedicated to the goddess Cybele. The bank of Spain has
its main office in the plaza with the imposing golden sphere on
the roof. The main post and telegraph office of Madrid, Palacio
de Comunicaciones, and Casa de Las Americas a cultural center
also lies in the Plaza.
El Parque del Buen Retiro
 The
ideal place for a picnic or a family gathering is the Parque de
Buen Retiro. It has beautiful gardens with colorful flowers, neat
pathways with trees, fountains and monuments. There is also a
small lake where you can go boating. There are several small stalls
and coffee shops which sell refreshments.
Palacio Real
Palacio Real was the residence
of royalty in the 18th century including Alfonso the thirteenth.
The palace contains a library with a fantastic collection of books
and manuscripts. It is also the palace with the largest number
of rooms in Europe. Other items on display include paintings,
weapons, spanish tapestries, carvings, decorations, portraits,
statues and personal items of the royalty collected over centuries.
Alcala Gate (Puerta de Alcala), Cerralbo Museum,
Ermita de San Antonio, San Jeronimo el Real, Juan Carlos I Convention
Center and Teatro Real (Opera House) are a few other interesting
sites worth visiting.
|
