Plaza Mayor, Madrid
| Plaza Mayor of Madrid | |
|---|---|
Plaza Mayor with the Casa de la Panadería behind the central statue of Philip III | |
| Location | Madrid, Spain |
| Coordinates | 40°24′55″N 3°42′27″W / 40.415364°N 3.707391°W |
| Official name | Plaza Mayor de Madrid |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Monument |
| Designated | 1985 |
| Reference no. | RI-51-0005006 |
Location of Plaza Mayor of Madrid in Madrid | |
The Plaza Mayor (English: Main Square) is the principal public square in the heart of Madrid, the capital of Spain. It was once the centre of Old Madrid. It was first built (1580–1619) during the reign of Philip III. Only a few blocks away is another famous plaza, the Puerta del Sol.
The Plaza Mayor is rectangular in shape and is noted for the uniformity of its surrounding architecture. The square measures 129 metres (423 ft) by 94 metres (308 ft). A total of 237 balconies overlook the square from the residential buildings that enclose it. Access is provided by ten entrances and nine gates, each named according to their historical or geographical significance. The entrances are: 7 de Julio, Arco de Triunfo, and Felipe III to the north; Sal, Zaragoza, and Gerona to the east; Botoneras, Toledo, and Cuchilleros to the south; and Ciudad Rodrigo to the west.