- Address: Plaza de la Puerta del Sol, s / n, 28013 Madrid
Puerta del Sol - "Gate of the Sun" - the famous Madrid Square, named after the gates that settled here. Why the gates were so named, it is not known exactly: either because they went strictly to the east (and, therefore, through them it was possible to see how the sun rises), or because of the image of the solar disk on the gate. The gate existed until 1521. After they were demolished, the size of the area increased. Here were built a monastery, a church and a brothel (which, incidentally, was soon moved to a nearby street). Already in the 17th century a fountain was erected above the source belonging to the church, around which the market soon settled.
In 1766, in the Puerta del Sol Square, there was a well-known mutiny of "Cloaks and Hats", in 1808 a popular uprising began there, directed against the yoke of Napoleonic France. In 1812, here was proclaimed, and later, in 1814 - it was here that the Spanish Constitution was burned. The proclamation of the Spanish Republic in 1930 was also made from the balcony of the House of Mail.
Area - a crossroads of eight streets; it has the shape of a crescent moon. The Puerta del Sol was the first square in Madrid with the gas and then electric lighting, the first horse, the first electric tram and the first car in Spain, the first metro line was laid under this square as well. Here is the best confectionery in Mallorquina, which must be visited after a walk around the square.
In addition, the square houses museums , offices, hotels and ministries.
Monument to the King
Monuments to the kings in Madrid are many. But the king, whose equestrian monument is erected in the Puerta del Sol, indeed deserved the right to be immortalized: Carlos III is said to have "accepted Madrid in clay, and left behind himself in marble." He did a lot not only for the city, but for the country as a whole: it was with him that the city got water pipes, lighting and paved streets, the state's revenues tripled, many schools, military schools and seminaries were opened.
Monument to the Bear
A bear eats a strawberry tree or a bear, it is not known, but the fact remains: the bears used to be in abundance here before, so that the clumsy, together with the same tree, even got on the Madrid coat of arms. Strawberry trees in Spain are not uncommon and now they can be seen on the streets of Madrid, growing right in the tubs.
The monument to the bear was previously located directly in front of the Post House building, and the current location was moved only in 2009.
Starting point
Madrid is located right in the center of the country. And in the center of Madrid is Puerta del Sol. This is evidenced by a corresponding plate made of copper, with a reference point - it is here that the "zero kilometer" of the roads of Spain begins.
House mail
The house of the post office - Real Casa de Carreras - was erected in 1761. Today the building is the government of the autonomous region of Madrid. It is here that the clock that annually on December 31 at midnight inform the Spaniards that the New Year has come. It is here that the congregation eats 12 grapes under the battle (one for each blow) and 12 wishes are made, followed by those who watch the broadcast from the square on TV. Tradition that entered into the life of the Spaniards in the XIX century, took root and in other Hispanic countries. On the square before Christmas set a giant Christmas tree.
On the facade of the House of Mail, there are memorial plaques reminiscent of the tragic events in the life of the country: the insurrection that took place on May 2, 1808, and the explosions in electric trains in March 2004.
Church of San Ginés
The church of San Ginés is located near the square. This church is very revered and unusual enough: first, its address number is 13, which for the temple is an amazing exception. Secondly, inside the church, right at the feet of the Virgin Mary, is a stuffed crocodile. He was presented to the Theotokos by an eccentric Spaniard-traveler, who, in his own opinion, was able to save himself from a crocodile only thanks to a hot prayer. In addition, the church is famous for the fact that the famous poet Lope de Vega was baptized here, and another famous writer, Francisco de Quevedo, was married there. On Mondays, at a certain time, the famous painting "Cleansing", belonging to El Greco's brush, is open for demonstration.
The exact age of the church is unknown; the first mention in written sources about it is found already in the IX century.
How to get there?
You can get to the square by 1, 2 or 3 lines of the underground (exit at the station of Puerta del Sol) or by bus: routes No. 3, 16 and 26 (stop Pta del Sol - Carretas) or No. 51 (stop Alcala - Pta. Del del) . Also, tourists will be interested in Plaza Cibeles and Plaza Mayor , which can be reached on foot within 5 minutes.
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