Puerta del Sol (Madrid)
Of all the meeting places in Madrid, Puerta del Sol Square is without a doubt the most famous and well-known. It is home to the Kilometre Zero of Spanish roads, which was imposed during the year 1950 in the Post Office House, the oldest building in the square. The impressive clock that announces the new year is located there.
Initially, the Puerta del Sol was one of many entrances surrounding the small town of Madrid in the 15th century. It was governed under the typical urban parameters of the medieval suburbs as they grew in size. Its peculiar name is due to the representation of a sun that adorned its entrance, indicating the direction to the east.
During the 17th and 19th centuries, the Puerta del Sol began to gain more popularity as a natural meeting place in the capital of the kingdom. However, not until the first decades of the 20th century did it acquire true importance as a nerve centre of the city's political trends, especially the leftist movements of the Second Republic.
After the arrival of democracy, the Puerta del Sol was generally used for political demonstrations and social protests and also to celebrate festivities, especially New Year's Eve.
Other reasons why Puerta del Sol is so popular are the enormous number of tourist monuments, including the popular statues of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, and the countless number of shops, bars and restaurants surrounding it.
Initially, the Puerta del Sol was one of many entrances surrounding the small town of Madrid in the 15th century. It was governed under the typical urban parameters of the medieval suburbs as they grew in size. Its peculiar name is due to the representation of a sun that adorned its entrance, indicating the direction to the east.
During the 17th and 19th centuries, the Puerta del Sol began to gain more popularity as a natural meeting place in the capital of the kingdom. However, not until the first decades of the 20th century did it acquire true importance as a nerve centre of the city's political trends, especially the leftist movements of the Second Republic.
After the arrival of democracy, the Puerta del Sol was generally used for political demonstrations and social protests and also to celebrate festivities, especially New Year's Eve.
Other reasons why Puerta del Sol is so popular are the enormous number of tourist monuments, including the popular statues of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, and the countless number of shops, bars and restaurants surrounding it.
Location
Civil Buildings in Madrid
Religious Buildings in Madrid
Museums in Madrid
