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Plaza de Cibeles
Located in the center of the city, at the junction between Paseo del Prado and Calle Alcalá, Cibeles Square is one of the most representative spaces in Madrid. The square is presided over by a beautiful fountain and flanked by imposing and representative buildings built between the end of the eighteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century.
The Fountain of Cibeles
Designed by the architect Ventura Rodríguez in 1782, the fountain depicts the goddess Cibeles on a car pulled by lions. In its beginnings, the source fulfilled its mission of supplying water to the people of Madrid. In 1895 it was transferred to the center of the square and became a decorative element.
In addition to being one of the most representative monuments of Madrid, the Fuente de Cibeles has long been the venue for Real Madrid victories. It is also the place chosen for other sports celebrations, such as those of the Spanish Selection of soccer and basketball.
Buildings surrounding the square
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Palacio de Cibeles: The majestic building of the Cibeles Palace, formerly known as Palacio de Comunicaciones, is one of the most representative of historic Madrid. Opened in 1919, the building functioned as the headquarters of Correos until recently it was reformed to house the City council. From the viewpoint and the restaurant at the top you get very good views of the center.
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Buenavista Palace: Built in 1777 as the residence of the Dukes of Alba, today the palace surrounded by a wooded area is the headquarters of the Army Headquarters.
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Bank of Spain: Inaugurated in 1891, the Banco de España headquarters has an imposing exterior with little decoration and a beautiful interior decorated with an excellent collection of paintings that includes works by Goya, Mengs, Maella and Vicente López.
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Palace of Linares: Built in 1900 under the orders of the Marquis of Linares, years later it was restored to become the House of America, an institution that seeks to foster cultural relations between Spain and Latin American countries.