Plaza of Spain (Madrid)

• Address: Plaza de España, 28008 Madrid

The amazing people live in Spain: first century after century they build and develop cities, decorate them with gardens, parks and squares. And then actively argues which of the ensemble area is the oldest, the largest, the most majestic and the most beautiful. And all these disputes are, including, and around the Plaza of Spain, which is, of course, in Madrid . The original name of the singing sounds Madrid - Plaza de Espana.

In the time of Charles III in the territory of the square were originally blooming gardens. The religious monarch built a monastery in their place, but he was never settled and was empty until the 18th century, when Bonaparte's brother placed barracks and stables there. A hundred years later, with the expansion of the city, already unsympathetic buildings were demolished and the area was built, which since 1911 began to gain its architectural beauty.

The modern Plaza of Spain is a busy intersection in the center of Madrid with three grandiose buildings: two impressive skyscrapers and a symbolic monument. It occupies almost 37,000 M ² , which makes it the largest area in the country. The beauty of the square is complemented by a broken park of plane trees and fountains with illumination.

Spanish Buildings

1. In 1953, on the one side of the Plaza of Spain was built the first skyscraper with the same name "Tower of Spain". Outwardly it is as if it consists of multi-storey elements, the highest of which reaches 117 meters and is on the eighth place in the height of buildings in Madrid. Currently on restoration.
2. The second skyscraper is called "Madrid Tower", in the people it is affectionately called "giraffe". This is perhaps the tallest building in the whole of Europe. The tower was built in the middle of the twentieth century; 142 meters in height, it can be seen in t.ch. and from the Royal Palace. "Giraffe" is resting on one of the corners of the Plaza of Spain. For many years the skyscraper was the tallest building in the world of concrete. In Europe, in height, it is second only to the Brussels skyscraper.
3. The most beautiful building of the square is called Casa Gaillardo. Historical building in Art Nouveau style. The architect Federico Arias Rhea painted the facade of the building with interesting ornaments and graceful balconies.
4. The monument to the world-famous writer Miguel de Cervantes closes the list. In addition to the figure of the writer, you will find bronze figures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza - the two main people on any tourist photo. At the top of the monument is a globe, the Spaniards are very proud of the history of their empire and the spread of the native language around the world. The monument was erected for 45 years.

How to get there?

To get to the square is easiest on the metro by lines L3 and L10 to the station Plaza de España. A sightseeing tour will take you about an hour and a half.