Puerta del Sol, Community of Madrid

Puerta del Sol - details and images

Now Puerta del Sol is the heart of the historic center of Madrid, but last place was at the eastern edge of town. Market name comes from the east gate of the city that existed here in the 15th century. Gate was probably named after the sun painted on it - Puerta del Sol, or Sun Gate. Square semi-oval today was created in the 19th century.

In the middle of the square there is a large equestrian statue of King Carlos III. Look toward the King has a beautiful red brick building dating from the 18th century, was once the main post office in Madrid. In front of the building, the board added pavement 'kilometer 0', card marking the center of the road network in Spain. It is the place from which all road distances are measured.

Puerta del Sol is the place where it finds the symbol of Madrid: a 20-ton statue of a bear eating fruit from a tree. Statue's official name is "El Oso y El Madroño". Madroño tree is a species closely related to strawberry.

Transport: Metro station Sol (M1, M2, M3).

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