Puerta del Sol, Madrid

It is the gate of the sun and the apple of the eye of the largest city and capital of Spain. 'Puerta del Sol' is the tourist attraction of Madrid. In addition to its public function today, the square also has an important part in the tourism sector.  Thus, the square possesses famous statues, beautiful fountains and is the zero point of Spain! La Puerta del Sol will take you to the most beautiful places in Madrid.

• Every city has its own beautiful square that gives the city character and appearance. Madrid has "Puerta del Sol"; a square with pure charm and bustle at any time of day.
• The literal zero point of Spain leads you to all the beauties of the city. Every little street shows you the charm of Madrid and takes you to the places the city is so proud of.
• Besides the fame of the square itself, it also holds a number of tourist attractions. For example, the old post office stands prominently in front of the square, the two famous statues have been photographed many times and the fountains are widely used to enjoy this beautiful square.
• 'Puerta del Sol' literally translated means Gate of the Sun and comes from the 15th century, when it served as a gateway to the old city center.

'Puerta del Sol' is a centrally located square in the beautiful capital of Spain: Madrid. The square itself does not have many famous buildings, but it does lead you to the most beautiful sights in Madrid. Besides its important public function for demonstrations and meetings, the square is the literal zero point of Spain. From Disney characters in the afternoon to genuinely good street performers in the evening; 'Puerta del Sol' is alive at any time of day. From 'Puerta del Sol' all distances are calculated to other places in Spain, it is the reference point of highways and the adjacent streets lead you to Madrid's attractions.

Sightseeing in Madrid

There are six streets adjacent to "Puerta del Sol. Two streets of these together are actually one street, running up the side along the square. This street is only accessible to buses and emergency services. Cars are not allowed into the square, which makes it possible for all pedestrians to quietly walk around and look around. The main street "Calle Mayor" takes you to "Plaza Mayor," Madrid's second famous square. The square is surrounded by 'houses' as you see in every 'Plaza Mayor'. If you continue down the street a little further, you will come to 'Plaza de la Villa,' where the Madrid City Hall is located. Return to 'Puerta del Sol', after all, it is the zero point! If you walk through 'Calle Arenal' you can't miss the 'Teatro Real'. 'Teatro Real' is located in the completely matching neighborhood of 'Opéra'. 

The theater is one of the largest stages for opera in the world. From the outside the building does not look spectacular, but inside it is an opera heaven. Behind "Teatro Real" is Madrid's largest square, "Plaza de Oriente. The square holds statues of several Spanish kings and has the 'Palacio Real' by its side. Spain's royal palace is not inhabited but is used for important occasions. A little further on is the impressive 'Cathedral de la Almudena' which took 100 years to build, but the result is impressive. Back to the zero point. The last important street 'Carrera Jerónimo' leads you to a small, quiet neighborhood where you will find many government buildings. As you can see, "Puerta del Sol" takes you easily to the best places in Madrid.

On 'Puerta del Sol' itself you will also find famous tourist attractions. Of course the fountains, which provide a coolness in summer and always have people sitting around them to enjoy the charm and bustle of 'Puerta del Sol'. 'Casa de Correos,' the city's old post office, of which the old clock on the building is especially famous. This clock is used only once a year; during the turn of the year. Like almost everywhere else in Spain, everyone gathers in the central square and counts down 12 seconds before noon until the clock strikes 12. Of course, one grape is traditionally eaten at each clock strike. "Casa de Correos" is the sight of "Puerta del Sol. In addition, the square has two famous statues. Surely the most famous statue is 'Oso y Madroño' (Bear and May Tree). The statue shows an upright bear with a maypole as tall as 4 meters. It is the symbol of the city and the meeting point of many Madrilenians. In the center of the square is the statue of Carlos III. It is a bronze, nine-meter-high replica was placed in the square in 1994.

'Puerta del Sol' was one of the gates of the enclosure of Madrid in the 15th century. It was the central gate to the old center of Madrid, was built on the east and decorated with a sun. This is why the gate was called "Puerta del Sol. Previously, the square had no important function except being a meeting place, but when in 1766 'Casa de Correos' (the post office)was finished, the square took on a more important function. Before 1986, traffic still passed through 'Puerta del Sol,' but this was abolished that year. When more space for pedestrians was created in 1986 and only buses and emergency services were allowed to enter the square, it immediately became much more attractive and cozy.