Puerta del Sol in Madrid, a walk through its history and interesting curiosities

If you want a icon image of Madrid, it is possible that the Puerta del Sol, which is not strange since it is one of the most popular corners of the capital, and one of your fixed appointments in a trip to Madrid.

What's more, the Puerta del Sol It is considered not only the geographical center of Madrid, but also of Spain.

Indeed, this square is where the kilometer 0 of the radial roads of our country, with a plaque on the ground that reminds all visitors.

But you may be surprised to know that centuries ago this place was outside the city wall. Medieval Madrid, that is, outside the city.

This is one of the Historical curiosities of Madrid's Puerta del Sol which we are going to tell you below.

Curiosities of the History of Puerta del Sol

Indeed, in the 15th century the place occupied by Puerta del Sol It was located on the outer edges of the medieval wall of Madrid, which also happened with the Plaza Mayor.

The latter was exactly the place where merchants gathered who, in order not to pay taxes, did not want to enter the walled area of ​​the city.

What's more, until the middle of the 18th century, the square that makes up the town did not actually exist. Puerta del Sol just as we see it now.

Construction of the Puerta del Sol Post Office

It was in 1766 when the Post House, commissioned by a French architect, one of the most charismatic buildings in Madrid which has become the image of the Puerta del Sol.

It was not until 1857, the year in which the aforementioned Post House became the headquarters of Ministry of the Interior, when the urban remodeling of this area of ​​Madrid began

Puerta del Sol in the 19th century

At that time, several buildings were demolished and the square was configured as you can see it today.

At that time, the semicircular buildings that delimit the characteristic configuration of the square to the north were also built.

Remodeling of Puerta del Sol in 1986

As for the current design of the plaza with a large pedestrianized space, it is due to the last remodeling in 1986, although it was later completed with the construction of the underground interchange of the Metro and the commuter train.

Another charismatic element of the square is the Post Office clock, from the 19th century, very popular as it is the one that for decades has been taken as a reference in Spain to mark the entrance of the new year.

History of the statues of Puerta del Sol

Regarding the monuments that you can see in the square that makes up the Puerta del Sol, I will tell you three curiosities.

La equestrian statue of Charles III, contrary to what you may think, is very recent, since it was inaugurated in 1994, and its final location was the result of a popular vote.

Maybe the most popular statue of Puerta del Sol is the Bear and the Madroño, which you now see on the east side of the plaza, at the entrance from the Alcala street.

Well, I'll tell you that it doesn't actually represent a bear or a strawberry tree; It is about a bear and a tree different from the strawberry tree.

For its part, the statue known as the Mariblanca, which culminated a source that existed in the 17th century, is actually a copy.

The original statue is located in the town square, historic headquarters of City of Madrid until the consistory has moved to the Plaza de Cibeles.

Tío Pepe poster in Puerta del Sol

Also noteworthy is the Uncle Pepe poster, a popular advertising sign that was installed in the Puerta del Sol in 1935, which has now had a level of historical protection, in addition to being moved to a new location in the square.

And considered by some as a monument, in this case the pastry shop, the most popular establishment among those who remain in the Puerta del Sol For more than a century it has been, without a doubt, the La Mallorquina pastry shop.

Of course, you may consider that the establishment that has recently become the new commercial icon of Puerta del Sol is the store of Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC),, located on the east side of the square, where the Paris Grand Hotel.

We'll see what happens as time goes by.