Plaza de España

Madrid’s Plaza de España is a space in the centre of the city where various main streets of the city converge. An open area where Gran Vía avenue makes way for Calle Princesa, Calle Bailén ends after passing the Royal Palace and where the Cuesta de San Vicente begins, which leads down to Príncipe Pío station and Madrid Río Park.

As well as being a traffic hub, there are also important architectural elements in the square. The Cervantes Monument, a sculpture from 1929, dominates the square, which also has a pond and landscaped areas; the perfect resting and stopping place for tourist routes around the city.

The square is lined by some of the most architecturally interesting buildings in the capital. These are emblematic buildings that form part of Madrid’s skyline, including Torre de Madrid and Edificio España, as well as other buildings like Casa Gallardo (1914), one of the best examples of Madrid modernism, and the Real Compañía Asturiana de Minas building (1899).

Torre de Madrid, which is 142-metres high and has 32 floors, was built in 1957. It was for a time the highest concrete building in the world. It is now a housing and office block, with a hotel on the top floors.

Edificio España is one of the most representative skyscrapers of Madrid, with 25 floors and measures 117 metres in height. It was built in 1953 in a neo-Baroque style and the top four floors have a stepped outline. It is a listed building and its interior is currently being renovated.

Updated: 21/04/2020