Plaza Mayor of Madrid
The Plaza Mayor of Madrid was built in the 1400's on the same location as the old Plaza del Arrabal (square outside the walls). It was used as a market in the Middle Ages. It is also called the Plaza de la Constitución.
| Plaza Mayor of Madrid | |
|---|---|
| Native name Spanish: Plaza Mayor de Madrid | |
 | |
| Location | Madrid, Spain |
| Official name: Plaza Mayor de Madrid | |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Monument |
| Designated | 1985[1] |
| Reference No. | RI-51-0005006 |
In the 1560s, King Philip II and his architect, Juan de Herrera planned to change it into a proper square for the Courts. The first part to be finished was the Casa de la Panaderia (bakery) in 1590. Gómez de Mora gave it the rectangular form. The ground is still cobbled. It finally opened in 1620 under the rule of King Philip III.
The statue in the middle is King Philip III on horseback made by Juan de Bologna. The statue was moved from the Casa de Campo to the Plaza Mayor in 1848.
In the 1700's, it was used for the crowning of kings, bullfights, carnivals and even executions. People watched from the balconies around the square.
The Plaza has been damaged by three fires. Juan de Villanova had the plaza built again in 1853 and that is what is seen today. People can enter the plaza through nine different arches.
Plaza Mayor Of Madrid Media
Auto-de-fé in the Plaza Mayor of Madrid, 1683 oil on canvas by Francisco Rizi (Museo del Prado).
Plaza Mayor with the Casa de la Panadería to the right
Ornate of the Plaza Mayor on the occasion of the entry of Charles III in Madrid. Oil painting of Lorenzo Quirós (1760). Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando.
View of Plaza Mayor, Madrid, with the statue of Filpe III of Spain
Plaza Mayor de Madrid toward Toledo street
Police horses at the square
Philip III statue of 1616
Sonnenuntergang am Plaza Mayor in Madrid
Plaza Mayor (Madrid), Spain
Madrid, Plaza Mayor
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References
- ↑ Database of protected buildings (movable and non-movable) of the Ministry of Culture of Spain. (Spanish)
Other websites
Media related to Plaza Mayor, Madrid at Wikimedia Commons
- Casa de la Panaderia. High resolution photo
- 360° view of Plaza Mayor, Madrid
- Plaza Mayor, description and pictures Archived 2011-07-11 at the Wayback Machine
- Plaza Mayor Information and photos.
- Plaza Mayor in English Visitor and student information, history, present day uses and photos.
