Fodor's Expert Review Plaza Mayor

Sol Plaza/Square Fodor's Choice

A symbol of Spain's imperial grandeur, this public square is often surprisingly quiet, perhaps since most locals wrote it off long ago as too touristy. The plaza was finished in 1619 under Felipe III, whose equestrian statue stands in the center, and is one of the largest in Europe, clocking in at 360 by 300 feet. It has seen it all: autos-da-fé ("trials of faith," or public burnings of heretics); the canonization of saints; criminal executions; royal marriages, such as that of Princess María and the king of Hungary in 1629; bullfights (until 1847); and masked balls. 

The space was initially occupied by a city market, and many of the surrounding streets retain the charming names of the trades and foods once headquartered there. Nearby are Calle de Cuchilleros (Cutlers' Street), Calle de Lechuga (Lettuce Street), Calle de Fresa (Strawberry Street), and Calle de Botoneros (Button Makers' Street). The plaza's oldest building is the one with the brightly painted murals and... READ MORE

Plaza/Square Fodor's Choice

Quick Facts

Madrid, Madrid  28012, Spain

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Plaza Mayor

Madrid, Madrid 28012, Spain
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Feb 26 Mar 01
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