Puerta del Sol Square

Puerta del Sol Square is the heart of Madrid: magnificent architecture, monuments, the best shops of famous brands, souvenir shops, street musicians and charming live statues, many hotels and hostels and an endless stream of admiring passers-by. And although the official geographical center of Spain is located fourteen kilometers from the capital, this does not prevent the Puerta del Sol from being one of the most revered squares in the world.

The square has an oval crescent shape and is the crossroads of 8 streets. Until 1521 (this year the gate was demolished in order to expand the exit from the city), the square was decorated with a gate with the image of the sun, which is symbolic - the name Puerto del Sol can be translated as the Gate of the Sun.

In the history of Madrid of the XVIII-XX centuries there was not a single event that did not pass in any way through the square of Puerto del Sol. The square witnessed the conspiracy and mutiny of the “coats and hats” in 1766, the popular uprising against Napoleon in 1808, the proclamation in 1812 of the country’s constitution and the public burning of it after the return of Ferdinand VII.

To be in Madrid without leaving your mark on the square is an unforgivable crime.