Puerta del Sol
Spain - Barcelona - Seville - Valencia - Madrid
Puerta del Sol located in the very heart of Madrid is one of the most well known and busiest places. Puerta del Sol is the centre of the radial network of the Spanish roads. The square also contains the famous clock whose bells mark the traditional eating of the twelve grapes and the beginning of a new year. The New Years celebrations have been broadcasted live on TV since 31st December 1962.
Puerta del sol was an important meeting place between 17th and 19th century. Puerta del Sol actually originated as one of the gates in the city wall that surrounded Madrid in the 15th century. Outside the wall, medieval suburbs began to grow around the Christian wall of the 12th century. The gate was oriented to the east and hence had the motif of the rising sun which on one hand decorated the gate and on the other hand gave the gate its name.
Puerta del Sol contains a large number of well known sites associated both nationally and internationally with Spain. The old post office on the south side is used as a centre of government for the Madrid Community. The square on the south side also holds a mounted statue of Charles III of Spain. The famous TIO Pepe lighted sign is above the square’s western building between the Calle Mayor and the Calle de Arenal. On the northern side lies the statue of a bear and a madrone tree, the heraldic symbol of Madrid. The Mariblanca marks the place of a former fountain.
Directly north of the Post Office is the Kilometro Cero which serves as the symbolic centre of Spain. In addition to serving as the basis of numbering in the Spanish road system, the symbolic nature of the plaza ensures that it is the site of many rallies and protests, particularly against violence and war. The Puerta del Sol has seen many protests against the terrorism perpetuated by ETA, the March 11th attack on Madrid’s commuter trains and Spains’ involvement in the Iraq war.
There is a metro station Sol which lies under the square, and surrounding Puerta del Sol are many shopping establishments catering to both the locals and the tourists.
