Puerta del Sol

Puerta del Sol originated in the 15th century as one of the gates in the city wall that surrounded Madrid. Its name, which translates to 'Gate of the Sun,' comes from the fact that the gate faced east and was decorated with an image of the rising sun. As the city expanded beyond its medieval walls, the gate was eventually demolished, but the area remained a vital crossroads and evolved into the semi-circular public square we see today. Throughout the centuries, it has served as the symbolic center of the Spanish capital and a witness to the city's growth from a small town to a global metropolis. The square has been the stage for many of Spain's most pivotal historical moments. It was here that the Madrilenian people rose up against Napoleonic troops on May 2, 1808, an event immortalized by the painter Francisco Goya. In 1931, the Second Spanish Republic was proclaimed from the balcony of the Royal Post Office, and in more recent history, it became the epicenter of the 15-M anti-austerity movement in 2011. Its central location has made it the default gathering place for both celebration and protest, cementing its status as the political and social pulse of the nation. Today, Puerta del Sol is famous for its iconic landmarks and its role in Spanish tradition. It houses the 'Kilometer Zero' stone slab, the point from which all six national radial roads are measured. The square is also home to the famous statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, the heraldic symbol of Madrid. Every New Year's Eve, thousands gather in the square and millions more watch on television as the clock atop the Real Casa de Correos strikes midnight, signaling the traditional eating of the twelve grapes to bring luck for the coming year.