Madrid as Text, Madrid video photo slide

Street artists add character to Madrid’s center

Entertainers create a fun atmosphere in a historical setting in Madrid.

By Elizabeth Jones

MADRID- On average, you can find 10 or more characters, artists and musicians milling around the Puerta del Sol entertaining tourists and locals with their numerous talents and displays.

The Puerta del Sol, also known as the “Sun Gate” or of the Sun,” is the original site of the city’s eastern gate in the 15th century. Construction of the plaza began in the 16th century but it didn’t hold the same importance until the Casa de Correos was built THERE in 1768. It went through a renovation process between 1854 and 1860 where it took on its current form. The Casa de Correos , originally part of the post office, now functions as the headquarters of the President of Madrid’s Autonomous Community. The building is gathered around each year to watch the clock tower strike midnight for New Year’s Eve. Directly in front of the building is a plaque marking Kilometer Zero. This is the starting point for Spain’s six national roads. On the eastern side of the square sits a statue of El Oso y El Madroño, “the bear and the strawberry tree.” This is the official symbol of the city. The Puerta del Sol is just a six minute walk from the Plaza Mayor.

Unlike Sol, The Plaza Mayor has fewer characters but is teeming with artists right inside the passageways surrounding the plaza.

The Plaza Mayor is the main square in Madrid, Spain. Juan del Gómez, an architect, lead construction of the square during the 17th century, the Baroque Period. It was completed in 1620 under the reign of Felipe III, whose statue remains in the center of the square. In 1853 a new architect, Juan de Villanova, connected the four walls. Throughout history the plaza has held multiple functions: bullfights, processions, festivals, theatre performances, inquisition trials, and public executions. The torture chambers from the Franco regime, a dictator from the 1930s to 1970s, still remain beneath the square. Today the square is teeming with tourists and street performers. The passageways surrounding the square are full of shops, bars and restaurants.

One Madrileño’s memories of the Spanish Civil War: Adapting to stay alive

By Natalie Allen MADRID – Carlos Iradier, 88, was only 17 when the Spanish civil war began, but instead of fighting, Iradier volunteered to fix telephone cables around Spain. Even at a young age, Iradier had been able to adapt to difficult situations in order for him to keep living his life in peace, according… Continue reading One Madrileño’s memories of the Spanish Civil War: Adapting to stay alive

The history of Sobrino de Botín

MADRID – Before Sobrino de Botín was a restaurant, it was a single-story home and cellar, believed to have been around since the 16th century. It was not until the 18th century that the French cook, Jean Botín, and his wife bought the home with plans on making it an inn. The original home was… Continue reading The history of Sobrino de Botín

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