Plaza de España

Plaza de España lies at a busy crossing in central Madrid, yet somehow manages to have a calming, restful atmosphere. Many locals come here to find a spot under a tree and take a break from the city's hustle and bustle.The centre of the plaza is presided over by Spain's literary hero, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. The stone statue of the writer sits regally, surrounded by water, with his literary creations Don Quixote, that ingenious gentleman, and Sancho Panza, his squire and trusty sidekick, cast in bronze beneath him. On either side are the two incarnations of Don Quixote’s one true love, Dulcinea del Toboso and Aldonza Lorenzo.The square is also famous as the home to two of Madrid's most iconic skyscrapers. The first of these, and providing a backdrop to the Cervantes monument, is the Edificio de España which, at 25 storeys high, was the tallest building in the city when it was constructed between the years of 1947 and 1953. It was designed in the neo-Baroque style and is a classic example of Spanish architecture of the period. Not long afterwards, between 1954 and 1957, the same architects oversaw the building of the Torre de Madrid which, at 142 metres high, then became the tallest concrete structure in Europe at the time.At the top of the Plaza de España you’ll find a fountain. Night visits here are especially alluring as this fountain is lit up, transforming the ambience of the plaza significantly.The green areas of the park are a popular place to kick back and relax during the day and, in the summertime, you'll see plentiful street vendors peddling their wares here. The square is also lined with restaurants.Plaza de España is an easy walk from the Royal Palace or from Gran Vía, one of the main thoroughfares of Madrid. It's also very easy to get to by metro as it has its own station. The square is open at all times.