Plaza Mayor

The Plaza Mayor is always an animated place. Picture Guiarte.

Philip II asked Juan de Herrera to design a square in this place, but it was Gómez de Mora who, together with Philip III, designed the definite project, retouched after several fires.

The magnificent square is one of the most emblematic places within Madrid. The buildings have in their ground floors a great amount of shops and restaurants, where inhabitants and visitors enjoy the place. Bullfighting, Inquisition's judgements and executions took place here in old days.

In the middle of the square we find an equestrian statue of Philip III, by Juan de Bolonia, ended in 1616 by his apprentice Pietro Tacca.  

To see Air satellite image from Plaza Mayor of Madrid.

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