Puerta del Sol

Puerta del Sol

The Puerta del Sol is one of the most famous squares in Madrid and you can find some of the most significant points and buildings of the capital.

Its construction was carried out in several stages; Began with the construction of the Casa de Correos in the middle of the eighteenth century and a century later, between 1857 and 1862, took its final shape thanks to the architects Lucio del Valle, Juan Rivera and José Morer. As early as the twentieth century the gardens, the fountain and the pedestrian area were added.

Points of interest

In Puerta del Sol you will find three places very well known at national level:

• Statue of the Bear and the Madroño: underneath the announcement of Tio Pepe, at the entrance of Calle Alcalá, we find the statue of the Madrid symbol: El Oso y el Madroño. It was built in 1967 and is one of the most popular meeting points.
• The Clock of the Post House: known throughout Spain for being the place from where the year-end chimes are issued since 1962. At Puerta del Sol, thousands of people gather every year to eat the grapes and celebrate the new year .
• Kilometer Zero: point where the Spanish radial roads start. It is signposted and tourists do not leave Madrid without their photo on it.

The Puerta del Sol has also experienced some important events, among them the proclamation of the Second Republic in 1931.