Plaza de España
Plaza de España is the northernmost of Madrid's famous and historic large squares, and my favourite of them. It borders Parque del Oeste and is the west end of Gran Via. At Plaza de Espana you can find Madrid's 2 oldest skyscrapers (that are the tallest in the city center), trees, fountains, sculptures and a famous monument to Cervantes, the author of Don Quijote. As our hotel was close to Plaza de Espana, we visited and passed by the square a lot of times. In the evenings, especially Fridays, young people start to party and picnic on the square already in the early evening. Palacio Real is only a short walk from Plaza de España. Busy roads and a highway tunnel is next to the plaza, but it is still a relaxing place.
Torre de Madrid, the Cervantes monument and Edificio España.
The monument to Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, the author of Don Quijote.
In the middle is the stone sculptor of Cervantes.
Plaza de España is also a metro station.
The square seen from the northeast.
Fuente del Nacimiento del Agua, the fountain right in front of Calle de Princesa, the northern extension of Gran Via.
Torre de Madrid and Edificio España, 2 of Madrid's oldest but most prominent skyscrapers. Very few of Madrid's skyscrapers are in the city center. The 2 buildings
were constructed by the project developer Metropolitana and the Otamendi brothers designed them. After their completion in the 1950s, the plaza became a popular
meeting place.
Torre de Madrid. Built in 1957 and 142 m tall it is the tallest building in the city center. Tallest building in Madrid when completed. Still the tallest in the city center.
Cleaning the windows of this early modernist skyscraper!
Edificio España. A 117m tall hotel from 1925. It was completed in 1953. It was Madrid's tallest building until 1957 when it was surpassed by Torre de Madrid (see above).
Edificio España is designed in a Spanish Revival style with classical elements. The hotel is Crowne Plaza.
There are many modern office buildings along the sides of the plaza.
Some of the office buildings on the East side are a bit rundown.
Panoramas of the plaza.
The statue of Cervantes. It was built in 1925, but was not completed until 1957.
Cervantes on his horse. Hordes of tourists want to be photographed there.
Palacio Real seen from Plaza de Espana.
Museo de Cerralbo. This art museum has a very elegant interior.
The busy Cuesta de San Vicente goes on a highway underneath the plaza.
A church with an unusual architecture.
Plaza de Espana from the north end of Gran Via.
Towards Calle de la Princesa, 10 blocks to the end of of urban Madrid. Meliá Princesa is a tall hotel.
People gathering in Friday already in the afternoon, relaxing or preparing for the party. And it was the same i Thursday.
This art-beaux palace is located opposite Parque del Este in the southwest side of Plaza de España.
Santa Teresa church, medieval revival church with a neobyzantine dome (not visible here), built in 1923-1928. A church next to Parque del Este.
2 old timer Seat, a very rare sight in Madrid, that is mostly trafficated by new cars. Note that both have punctures!
Plaza de Espana by night:
Edificio España.
Plaza de España is the end/beginning of Gran Via and a meeting place at night.
The fountain and the Cervantes monument by night.
People partying a Friday.
Illuminated exteriors at Plaza España.
Our hotel:
Mercure Hotel Madrid Plaza de Espana is the full name of the 4 star hotel where me and my girlfriend stayed. It has nice interior and friendly staff, but is a bit worn.
It has only 97 rooms, so it is not very big, but it has about 5 floors.
The marble bathroom at Mercure Hotel.
The building is modern, but the interior is old fashioned.
The view from the hotel towards Ventura Rodriguez. To the right is the backside of Plaza de Espana.
Mercure is a French hotel chain.
Mosaic windows at Mercure.
The elegant traditional lobby of Mercure, formerly Sofitel. It has marble floors and wooden walls.