Spain Square (Madrid)
Located in the Arguelles neighbourhood, southeast of Moncloa-Aravaca, is Spain Square. This monumental square is characterized by a colossal fountain in its centre in honour of Miguel de Cervantes. With an impressive area of almost 40,000 square meters, it is considered one of the largest squares in Spain.
Spain Square, originally known as Saint Marcial Square, acts as an axis connecting Princesa Street with Gran Vía. Surrounding it is a large number of buildings, monuments and constructions of enormous importance and attraction. Among them are the Madrid Tower, the Gallardo House and the Spain Building.
The square's origins began after Philip II ordered the transfer of the Royal Court of Toledo to Madrid in 1561. The area of the current square gained strategic importance when the San Gil Barracks were built there. However, after the city expanded in the 19th century, the barracks were demolished, and an ambitious large square was planned.
The construction of the square, designed by the architects Martínez Zapatero and Coullart-Valera, was carried out during the 1920s and inaugurated in 1929. During the 1950s, the square was subjected to an ambitious urban planning project to modernize it and adapt it to the new realities of the city. Thus, it became one of the greatest attractions in Madrid.
In 2017, the square underwent a much more ambitious reorganization. It now has a cycling and pedestrian route and is linked to the surrounding green areas and other important monuments, including the Sabatini Gardens, the Temple of Debod and the Campo del Moro. This transformation has made Spain Square into an authentic bastion of 21st-century Madrid.
Spain Square, originally known as Saint Marcial Square, acts as an axis connecting Princesa Street with Gran Vía. Surrounding it is a large number of buildings, monuments and constructions of enormous importance and attraction. Among them are the Madrid Tower, the Gallardo House and the Spain Building.
The square's origins began after Philip II ordered the transfer of the Royal Court of Toledo to Madrid in 1561. The area of the current square gained strategic importance when the San Gil Barracks were built there. However, after the city expanded in the 19th century, the barracks were demolished, and an ambitious large square was planned.
The construction of the square, designed by the architects Martínez Zapatero and Coullart-Valera, was carried out during the 1920s and inaugurated in 1929. During the 1950s, the square was subjected to an ambitious urban planning project to modernize it and adapt it to the new realities of the city. Thus, it became one of the greatest attractions in Madrid.
In 2017, the square underwent a much more ambitious reorganization. It now has a cycling and pedestrian route and is linked to the surrounding green areas and other important monuments, including the Sabatini Gardens, the Temple of Debod and the Campo del Moro. This transformation has made Spain Square into an authentic bastion of 21st-century Madrid.
Location
Civil Buildings in Madrid
Religious Buildings in Madrid
Museums in Madrid
