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Plaza de España is a large plaza in Madrid at the western end of Gran Vía. It features one of the city’s most famous monuments as well as two of its tallest skyscrapers.
Cervantes Monument
In the center of the plaza is a monument to Miguel de Cervantes, which was built in 1915 and carved out of granite. In the center of the monument is a seated Cervantes overlooking his two iconic characters, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.
Don Quixote and Sancho Panza are made out of bronze and stand in front of their creator overlooking a pond. Behind the monument is a fountain.
España Building
A few important buildings sit on Plaza de España. The most prominent is the España Building (Edificio España), which was built in 1953. It was the tallest building in Europe until 1957 until it was overtaken by the Tower of Madrid (Torre de Madrid) across the street. On a visit in October 2018, it was being renovated and turned into a hotel.
Tower of Madrid
The Tower of Madrid (Torre de Madrid) was built between 1954 and 1957 and is 36 stories tall. It was the tallest building in Europe until 1967. The first nine floors are owned by Barceló Hotels while everything above is fully residential.
Casa Gallardo
On the western corner is Casa Gallardo, built in 1911 and one of the city’s best examples of Art Nouveau architecture.
Royal Asturian Mining Company Building
On the southern corner is the Royal Asturian Mining Company Building (Edificio de la Real Compañía Asturiana de Minas), the former headquarters of an important mining company that no longer exists. It was built between 1891 and 1899 and is now used as offices, retail space, and apartments.
