Madrid is a city that is full of monuments. The capital of Spain has must-see sites on every corner.
Whether you are in the city taking a vacation, you are passing through for work, or you traveled to learn Spanish in a spanish language school madrid, there are several monuments in this beautiful city that you can’t miss.
Because Madrid is a vast city, those who visit it often cannot see them all. If your stay is short, you will have to prioritize visiting places. That is why in this article we will mention which are the most beautiful monuments of Madrid that you cannot miss during your stay.
Start planning your route to spot every monument we will mention next (or as many as you can). No matter what the reason for your visit, put on comfortable clothes and shoes because you should spend an afternoon or two touring the architectural and sculptural monuments of this incredible city.
So, when you get out of your work meeting or when you finish your Spanish course madrid, start your tour through the city’s streets to delight yourself with the monuments that we will detail below.
– La Puerta del Sol (Sun Gate)
It is one of the most emblematic places in Madrid. It has a long history since it dates back to the 18th century, and that is why it was designated as the zero kilometers of the city and the entire country. This means that it is the point at which all paths are born and also converge.
At this point, several historical events have taken place, such as the beginning of the rebellion against Napoleon in May 1808 and then in 1931, the proclamation of the Second Republic.
Puerta del Sol is an oval square where historic buildings from the 18th-century rest. Its construction was carried out in several stages; first, with the Casa de Correosa (18th century) and a century later, the architects Lucio del Valle, José Morer, and Juan Rivera gave it its definitive form (between 1857 and 1862). Then in the 20th century, the gardens and fountain were added. In addition, the pedestrian zone was enlarged.
In the center of the square, you can admire the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, the symbol of Madrid, which was built in 1967. You can also see the Clock of the Casa de Correos. From this building, the chimes that announce the new year have been emitted since 1962, which is why thousands of people from Madrid come together to celebrate the year while eating traditional grapes.
– The Temple of Debod
This impressive monument allows you to transport yourself in time and space since it immediately places you in Ancient Egypt. It is an authentic Egyptian monument in the capital of Spain.
Its history dates back 2,200 years when the Egyptian pharaohs walked through this site to offer their gods. It was a sanctuary built as a chapel to worship the sun-god Amun.
This temple was a gift that Egypt made to Spain in 1968, in gratitude for the Spanish help after the international appeal to save the Nubian temples, which were in danger due to the construction of the Aswan Dam. Egypt donated four temples that were saved to the nations that helped. This is how Debod came to Spain and became one of the greatest treasures of Madrid.
In the Temple of Debod, you can also admire the incredible views of the city from the viewpoint of the gardens, since it is located on the Montaña del Príncipe Pío. From there you can see a large part of the center of Madrid. You can also tour the mythical rocks of the Nile River, which had been transported to Spain in 1970.
– The Gate of Alcala
It is one of the best-known monuments in Madrid. It was one of the gates that allowed access to the city in ancient times. It is located in the Plaza de la Independencia, and down the street, right in front, is the famous Cibeles Fountain (another great monument)
“La Puerta de Alcalá” is an arch commissioned by King Carlos III, which replaced a previous door that allowed the entrance to the city. One of the five gates gave the Villa de Madrid access to travelers coming from France or Aragon.
The gate was inaugurated in 1778, and since then, it has undergone several restorations over the years and many urban transformations in its surroundings. In 1889 it became a square.
– Plaza de Cibeles
This square is one of the most symbolic of the city. In the center of it is the famous Cibeles Fountain, which was sculpted in 1782, and represents the goddess Cibeles in a chariot pulled by lions.
In each corner of the square, emblematic buildings were built between the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 20th. These are the Communications Palace, the Buenavista Palace, the Bank of Spain, and the Linares Palace
* The Palace of Communications: It was inaugurated in 1919 and was the headquarters of the Post Office until it was reformed to house the City Hall. At the top, there is a restaurant and a viewpoint from where you can see the city center.
* The Palacio de Buenavista: It was built in 1777 and today is the headquarters of the Army General Headquarters. It is surrounded by a large wooded area, making it a beautiful postcard of the city.
* The Bank of Spain: It was inaugurated in 1891. The interior of the building is decorated with an incredible collection of paintings that includes the works of Mengs, Vicente López, Goya, and Maella
* The Linares Palace: It was built in 1900 by order of the Marquis of Linares and today houses the Casa de América, an institution whose purpose is to promote cultural relations between Latin American countries and Spain.