Plaza Mayor
The arcaded square of 1619, where Madrid held markets, bullfights and the trials of the Inquisition.
Photo: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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The Plaza Mayor was finished in 1619 under Philip III, whose statue on horseback stands in the middle. Its arcaded houses have 237 balconies, from which people watched markets, bullfights, coronations, executions and the autos-da-fé of the Inquisition.
The painted front of the Casa de la Panadería, the old bakers’ guild house, is its centrepiece. At Christmas a market fills it. Visit it in 3D ›
More in Madrid
Puerta del SolKilometre zero of Spain’s roads, where Spain eats its twelve grapes at midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Bear and Strawberry TreeThe bronze bear reaching up into a strawberry tree, Madrid’s coat of arms on the Puerta del Sol.
Royal PalaceWith more than 3,000 rooms the largest royal palace in western Europe, still used for state occasions.
Almudena CathedralMadrid’s cathedral, begun in 1883 and only consecrated in 1993, facing the Royal Palace.
Plaza de OrienteThe gardens between the Royal Palace and the opera, with a famous statue of Philip IV on a rearing horse.
Teatro RealMadrid’s opera house, facing the Royal Palace across the Plaza de Oriente.
Mercado de San MiguelAn iron-and-glass market hall of 1916, now a gourmet food hall next to the Plaza Mayor.
Plaza de la VillaA small square of three buildings from three centuries, the old heart of Madrid’s government.
Gran VíaThe great avenue of 1910 to the 1950s, Madrid’s Broadway of cinemas, theatres and early skyscrapers.
Chocolate con churrosFried dough sticks dipped in thick hot chocolate, at any hour of the day or night.
Bocadillo de calamaresA fried-squid sandwich, Madrid’s own snack, sold in the bars around the Plaza Mayor.