Puerta Del Sol, A Traditional Square Of The City

Sol has seen protests against the March 11th 2004 attacks on commuter trains, and Spain's involvement in the Iraq War . In 2011, the square became established as a focal point and a symbol for the ongoing Spanish democracy demonstrations. The demonstrations then spread to more than sixty other cities throughout Spain. Since 12 June 2011, the square has held a free-standing domed structure made from pallets, which served as an information point for the 15-M Movement.



An image of the sun was also showcased on the gate inself, helping to solidify Puerta del Sol as the name of the square. Read more about the top 6 things to see within Madrid’s Puerta del Sol. The Oso & Madroño is the official symbol of the city although with an unclear origin - it seems that there used to be many bears in the fields around Madrid although the original symbol was supposed to be a female bear . And the strawberry tree seems to be have actually been a hackberry tree , which was once in abundance around Madrid. The sign has enjoyed its fair share of changes, but its popularity became more obvious in 2011, when it was taken down as the original building was being refurbished. After a three-year absence, the sign was re-lit at number 11 Puerta del Sol in May 2014.

Look for the kilometre zero (Km. O) plaque in the pavement on the southwest side marking the center of the radial network of Spanish roads. He’s known as the “best mayor of Madrid” and on the pedestal of the statue you can read about some of his works and famous ministers. He is also responsible for most of the things that you can see in the Prado Boulevard. Visitors can’t turn their head on the Puerta del Sol without spying a famous Spanish landmark. A mounted statue of King Charles III sits near the Old Post Office building, a magnificent neoclassical façade which currently plays host to the president of Madrid and its regional government offices. A plaque on the square denotes Madrid’s “kilometro cero”, the point from which distances are measured.

Tour the city’s parks, visit a cervecería , and take in the grandeur of the city’s main square, Plaza Mayor. Sink your teeth into some of the best tapas in the world, sample the famed churros at San Gines, wash them down with some sangria then join in the city’s booming nightlife scene until the wee hours of the morning. The bear reaching up to grab fruit from the top of the strawberry tree has been on Madrid’s coat of arms ever since the 18th century. Back then, there was a dispute between the Church and the local council, in which both claimed the pastures, hunting grounds and forests, all the way from Madrid to the Sierra de Guadarrama.

The end result was that the Church took control of the pastures, while the forest and hunting grounds were to be owned by the council. Set in the heart of the city, AbraCadabra Suites offers easy access to Madrid's main shopping and sightseeing areas. It is situated a short walk from the Gate of Toledo, Almudena Cathedral and Royal Palace of Madrid. The large equestrian statue of King Carlos III is located in the middle of Puerta del Sol and was installed in the square in 1997.

The church is a complex building, having been built in the 17th century by the architect Miguel de Soria and sculptor Mateo de Cortray, the creator of the door that opens into the street. Also on its south side, the square holds a mounted statue of Charles III of Spain, nicknamed "el rey alcalde" ("the mayor-king") due to the extensive public works program he set in motion. The famous Tío Pepe lighted sign was above the square's eastern building between the Calle de Alcalá and the Carrera de San Jerónimo for a long time, now is on top of the former Paris Hotel.

There is also a strong police presence here which probably hints at the number of pick-pocketing incidents that we’ve been warned so much about from day one of arriving in Spain. Also in the square is the statue of Carlos III, honoured for his many public works programs. Actually, the sculpture is a replica of the original in the Municipal Museum. The journey time between Plaza Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor is around 1 min and covers a distance of around 1808 feet. Operated by Lurraldebus, the Plaza Puerta del Sol to Plaza Mayor service departs from Plaza Puerta del Sol and explore arrives in Tirso De Molina. Typically 1638 services run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance.

The Puerta del Sol (Spanish for "Gate of the Sun") is a public square in Madrid, one of the best known and busiest places in the city. The square also contains the famous clock whose bells mark the traditional eating of the Twelve Grapes and the beginning of a new year. The New Year's celebration has been broadcast live on national television since 31 December 1962.