Plaza Mayor in Madrid
Located in the Sol Neighbourhood, right in the centre of Madrid, is the Plaza Mayor, a spectacular porticoed square with a rectangular floor plan that occupies a formidable area of 129 meters long by almost 95 meters wide. It is completely closed by three-story homes; 237 balconies offer views of the square.
The Plaza Mayor is, literally, the meeting place par excellence in the centre of the capital of Spain thanks to its 10 entrances, six of which are through spectacular arches. The other three entrances do not have any arches, while the last entrance, with a solitary arch, is the most popular and well-known access point of all. It is called the Cuchilleros Arch and is completely hidden by the arcades of the square.
In its beginnings, the Plaza Mayor was the main market of what was then the Village of Madrid. Public executions were also carried out there using the garrotte, the gallows or the executioner's axe. Curiously, the style of execution was related to the arcades of the clothiers', bakers' or butchers' guilds, respectively, where the scaffolds were installed.
Currently, the Plaza Mayor is one of the most important nerve centres for Madrid tourism because there are countless hotels around it, as well as many numismatic and philately stores.
In addition, concerts, festivals and all types of popular celebrations, such as the Saint Isidore festivities and Holy Week, take place in the areas of the square.
The Plaza Mayor is, literally, the meeting place par excellence in the centre of the capital of Spain thanks to its 10 entrances, six of which are through spectacular arches. The other three entrances do not have any arches, while the last entrance, with a solitary arch, is the most popular and well-known access point of all. It is called the Cuchilleros Arch and is completely hidden by the arcades of the square.
In its beginnings, the Plaza Mayor was the main market of what was then the Village of Madrid. Public executions were also carried out there using the garrotte, the gallows or the executioner's axe. Curiously, the style of execution was related to the arcades of the clothiers', bakers' or butchers' guilds, respectively, where the scaffolds were installed.
Currently, the Plaza Mayor is one of the most important nerve centres for Madrid tourism because there are countless hotels around it, as well as many numismatic and philately stores.
In addition, concerts, festivals and all types of popular celebrations, such as the Saint Isidore festivities and Holy Week, take place in the areas of the square.
Location
Civil Buildings in Madrid
Religious Buildings in Madrid
Museums in Madrid
