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Puerta del Sol is one of the most well-known and busiest places in Madrid. It’s located in the heart of the city and is a popular meeting place for locals.
Puerta del Sol was one of the original gates in the 15th century city walls. It developed as an important meeting place in the 17th century. People would gather there to hear news from other parts of Spain and abroad.
Monument to King Carlos III
There are a few monuments in the center of the square. The biggest is an equestrian statue of King Carlos III, who completed several public works programs in the city in the 18th century. It was unveiled on December 16, 1994.
The Bear and the Strawberry Tree
On the east side is the Bear and the Strawberry Tree (El Oso y el Madroño), which was erected in 1967 as a representation of the coat of arms of Madrid. It was sculpted by Antonio Navarro Santafé. The statue weighs about 22 tons and stands about 4 meters tall.
Royal Post Office
The most prominent building on the square sits on its south side. The Royal Post Office (Real Casa de Correos) opened in 1768 as the royal post office. It was designed by French architect Jacques Marquet. The clock tower on top was inaugurated by Queen Isabel II in 1866. Every New Year’s Eve, the ringing of the bells mark the traditional eating of the 12 Grapes.
The Royal Post Office now houses the offices of the President of Madrid, who is the head of the Autonomous Community of Madrid. Directly to the north of the building is the “kilometer zero” marking for all roads in Spain.
Tío Pepe Sign
On the north side of Puerta del Sol is the iconic Tío Pepe sign, which has been a landmark for several years. It used to sit on top of the building on the east side of the square.
Streets Off Puerta del Sol
A few of pedestrian shopping streets lead north to Gran Vía. Calle de Preciados, Calle del Carmen, and Calle de la Montera all feature shops and restaurants.
Calle del Arenal leads west to the Royal Theatre and Plaza de Oriente.
Calle de Alcalá leads east to Plaza de Cibeles and the Alcalá Gate (Puerta de Alcalá) while Calle Mayor leads west to Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Villa, and the Almudena Cathedral.
Gathering Place
Puerta del Sol is a popular place for protests, demonstrations, and celebrations. I was lucky to witness the celebrations in the square after Spain defeated Germany in a 2010 World Cup semifinal game. You can read about that here.
