Plaza Mayor

The Plaza Mayor's origins date back to the 15th century when it was known as the Plaza del Arrabal, a chaotic marketplace located just outside the original city walls. In 1561, King Philip II tasked the renowned architect Juan de Herrera with transforming this irregular space into a grand royal square. However, the project was not completed until 1619 during the reign of Philip III, under the direction of Juan Gomez de Mora, who established the uniform rectangular design and the iconic red-brick facades that define the square today. Throughout its long existence, the square has survived three devastating fires in 1631, 1672, and 1790. Each catastrophe led to significant reconstructions that refined the square's appearance. The most transformative renovation followed the 1790 fire, led by architect Juan de Villanueva, who enclosed the square's corners and lowered the height of the surrounding buildings to two stories, creating the majestic, enclosed atmosphere that visitors experience in the modern era. Historically, the Plaza Mayor served as the grandest stage for Madrid's public life, hosting everything from royal coronations and canonizations to grim public executions and trials during the Spanish Inquisition. It was also a premier venue for bullfights, where the nobility watched the spectacle from their private balconies. Today, it remains a vibrant cultural hub, famously hosting the city's annual Christmas market and serving as a central meeting point for locals and tourists to enjoy the timeless architecture of old Madrid.