Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain: A Historical Window in the Old Town

Plaza Mayor is located in the heart of Madrid's old town, not far from Puerta del Sol to the east and only 500 meters from the Royal Palace of Madrid to the west. It is one of the most famous squares in Madrid, attracting tourists from all over the world with its unique shape, exquisite spatial layout, rich architectural features, and profound historical and cultural heritage. Plaza Mayor is a standard rectangle, 128 meters long and 94 meters wide, embedded in the free and winding old town. From the air, the old town of Madrid looks like a square window has been cut out. The contrast between the regular square and the free streets is the most distinctive feature of Plaza Mayor. The square is surrounded by four-story buildings, mostly in the classical style, with blue-gray sloping roofs, deep red and light yellow walls, and towering spires. Standing in the square, you feel as if you have returned to the most prosperous era of Spain. The square is connected to the winding roads outside by arches. The statue of Philip III stands in the center of the square, commemorating his contribution to the construction of the square.