See Madridās most iconic skyscrapers and admire the monument to Miguel de Cervantes in one of the cityās most important squares.
The Plaza de EspaƱa lies at the intersection of some of Madridās busiest streets. The bustling Gran VĆa becomes Calle de la Princesa as cars, trucks and buses honk and hurry their way around. Even though itās at the heart of the city, youāll often see people taking time out here to relax under the trees. Look up at the Edificio EspaƱa, one of Madridās classic examples of 20th-century architecture. The 25-story neo-baroque skyscraper was constructed between 1947 and 1953, making it the tallest building in the city at the time. Turn your eyes to the Torre de Madrid on the adjacent corner. It was built by the same architect between 1954 and 1957 and surpassed the Edificio in height, becoming the tallest concrete structure in Europe at 466 feet (142 meters).Head to the center of the plaza to check out the monument to playwright and novelist Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. Literature lovers will recognize Don Quixote and his squire Sancho Panza cast in bronze at the foot of the monument, with Cervantes carved in stone overlooking his characters. To either side youāll find a representation of Quixoteās true love: Dulcinea del Toboso on one and Aldonza Lorenzo on the other. Walk to the head of the plaza to find a large fountain that lights up in the evenings. Take a break and relax under one of many trees around the park. In summer youāll see street vendors selling food and other items. There are also dozens of restaurants around the plaza. The Plaza de EspaƱa is in central Madrid and a short walk from the Royal Palace or Gran VĆa. The plaza has its own metro station and can be accessed at any time of day or night.
