The statue of a bear reaching for the fruit of a strawberry tree is made of stone and bronze, weighing roughly twenty tons. It sits in the center of Puerta del Sol, marking the heraldic symbol of Madrid. King Alfonso the Eleventh allegedly…
Plaza Mayor and Sol Walk
Walk through the historic heart of Madrid, from the lively plaza of Puerta del Sol to the grand, enclosed Plaza Mayor. This route highlights Spain's royal history, centuries-old architecture, and classic culinary institutions.
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1. El Oso y el Madroño
2. Real Casa de Correos
The Real Casa de Correos features a red brick facade framed by white stone, capped with a clock tower that dominates the Puerta del Sol. Originally built in the eighteenth century as the city's main post office, the building transitioned…
3. Church of Saint Genesius
The Iglesia de San Ginés stands out on Calle del Arenal with its tall, unadorned bell tower and a faded, rust-colored brick facade that feels miles away from the nearby commercial rush. This church holds one of the oldest records of…
4. Chocolatería San Ginés
The dark green facade of Chocolatería San Ginés stands out on the narrow Pasadizo de San Ginés, tucked away from the rush of the city center. Founded in eighteen ninety-four, it began as an inn before specializing in thick, dark chocolate…
5. Plaza Mayor
The Plaza Mayor is a massive, enclosed square defined by uniform red brick facades and two hundred and thirty-seven wrought-iron balconies. King Philip the Third ordered its construction in the early seventeenth century to create a grand…
6. Santa Cruz Palace, Madrid
The Santa Cruz Palace is marked by two dark, slender corner towers capped with steep slate spires that contrast sharply against the surrounding limestone facade. Originally built in the sixteen thirties as a public jail, the building held…
7. Arco de Cuchilleros
The Arco de Cuchilleros serves as the main entrance into the Plaza Mayor. It is a steep, dark tunnel defined by its massive stone archway and the unusually tall brick steps that lead upward. The name comes from the knife makers who…
8. Mercado de San Miguel
The Mercado de San Miguel stands out with its intricate, dark iron skeleton and vast glass walls that expose the market stalls to the street. Originally built in nineteen sixteen as a traditional food market for local residents, it…
9. Plaza de la Villa
Three mismatched buildings define Plaza de la Villa, ranging from the medieval Casa de los Lujanes to the seventeenth century Casa de la Villa. The Casa de los Lujanes stands out with its pointed gothic doorway and a weathered stone tower…