Madrid is the capital city of Spain and is full of treasures to explore like Plaza Mayor. It’s one of Madrid’s most famous squares and it is in the central part of the city so it’s a great place to start your visit. Read about the history of this square and the top six things to see and do in this famous Spanish square!
History of Plaza Mayor
Plaza Mayor actually means “oldest square”, but was originally called the “Plaza del Arrabal” and has changed designs multiple times throughout history. Before Madrid was the capital of Spain, this area was used by various traders as a meeting place and a marketplace to trade their goods with others. The Plaza even hosted bullfights, performances, festivals, celebrations, sporting events and even criminals were prosecuted and punished in front of citizens of Madrid and if found guilty, were killed by executions in this public square.
King Felipe II Making Changes to Plaza Mayor
When King Felipe II moved the government seat of Spain from Toledo to Madrid, this marketplace was transformed into Plaza Mayor and away from what it had been previously used as. The plaza was completed in 1619 after the architect, Juan Gómez de Mora was hired to redesign the market’s space. Then between 1631 and 1790, there were three large fires that devastated the Plaza.
Plaza Mayor As We See It Today
Plaza Mayor as we see it today is relatively young, because in 1790, the architect Juan de Villanueva was commissioned to rebuild the square after the multiple devastating fires. He was the one who built the grand arcaded buildings that surround the cobblestoned square on all four sides. You will notice a uniform appearance of the facade of the structures found on all sides. The buildings also have the same structural features, including 237 window balconies that house some of the most expensive residential real estate in Madrid. It is rectangular in shape and was closed off to all roads. A total of 10 access points were created as entrances into the Plaza, but there were only nine gates built around the plaza that are clearly distinctive entrance points, as ways to enter and leave the Plaza. The architecture of the reconstructed plaza helped to prevent future fires, but it also gave the square the iconic form we see today.
The Addition of King Felipe III Statue to Plaza Mayor
Currently, at the center of the Plaza Mayor is the large bronze statue of King Felipe III on horseback. This statue was actually constructed in 1616 by Juan Cristóbal González, Jean Boulogne and Pietro Tacca, but was on display at Casa de Campo Park where it watched over the entrance. It was moved to the center of the Plaza Mayor in 1848 by Queen Isabel II.
Casa de la Panadería
The Casa de la Panadería (Bakery House), as the name implies, no longer offers bread and sweet treats because it is now a municipal and cultural building on the north side of the Plaza Mayor. When it was built centuries before, it was Madrid’s main bakery, famous for its selection of breads and affordable prices, where even the poorest residents of Madrid could afford to purchase bread. The bakery’s structure served as a model for the rest of the buildings surrounding the plaza. Throughout time, the building has also been used for the Bakers’ Guild, Spain’s Royal Family, as well as the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and History Academy. Currently it is used as the Plaza Mayor Tourist Center so when visiting this square, make sure to stop in to the tourist center where they can answer any of your questions about what to see and do throughout Madrid. There are beautiful and detailed decorations on the facade of the building, which have changed throughout time. The current murals on the facade are the work of Carlos Franco and they represent mythological figures connected to the history of Madrid.
Top 6 Things to Do In and Around Plaza Mayor
From markets, public celebrations, bullfights and executions to restaurants, cafes, shops, boutiques, artists and street performers, Plaza Mayor has changed throughout time. Here are the top six things to see in and around Plaza Mayor on your visit to Madrid.
Eat or Drink Al Fresco
Plaza Mayor has an abundance of great restaurants, cafes and tapas bars so there are an unlimited amount of places to grab a bite to eat or a tasty drink like sangria as you watch the large amount of tourists and locals exploring the square. The food and drinks within the plaza are a bit overpriced because they are so touristy, but it is something fun to do at least once. If you are traveling on a budget, you can also venture just outside the arches of Plaza Mayor and find some wonderful restaurants that are much less expensive and only a few hundred feet away. One dish that is common to try is the squid sandwich or bocadillo de calamares, as almost every cafe serves them.
Visit the Tourism Information Center Office
Housed at the Casa de la Panaderia, the city tourism agency can help answer any of your questions regarding sights to visit in Madrid. They have many maps and brochures you can take for free and it’s open every day of the year so it is a great resource for all tourists.
Walk Around Playa Mayor
It won’t take you very long to explore Plaza Mayor on foot as it is only 129 meters long and 94 meters wide. As explained earlier, you can enter the Plaza through one of the nine archways and take in the view of the 237 balconies facing the center of the cobblestoned square. You can also get up close to the state of King Felipe III on horseback in the middle of the square.
Have Your Portrait Painted or Go Shopping
There are multiple artists scattered throughout the Plaza Mayor that will paint your portrait that you can take home as a souvenir of your time spent in Madrid. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s still nice to watch an artist create a beautiful piece of artwork. You can also go shopping to pick up small souvenirs to give to family and friends back home.
Watch Street Performers and Musicians
There are many street performers and musicians throughout Plaza Mayor to watch for their artistic talents and you might feel inspired to support the artist and their talents.
Meet Up With Friends and Hang Out at the Plaza
Plaza Mayor is a great place to meet up with your friends and catch up while relaxing in the square as you people watch. It’s also ideally located in the central part of Madrid so there are many other sites and locations that you can visit that are close in proximity to this plaza.
There are many treasures of traveling throughout the capital city of Spain to discover, like Plaza Mayor. Madrid has many things to offer any tourist and Plaza Mayor is a wonderful place to start your journey. There are also many wonderful southern Spanish cities to discover like Granada and Seville.
— Luke Keeler
Check out the map below to see where Plaza Mayor in Madrid is located at!
Pin me!
Like this article? Then Pin me so other travelers can find it!
