Spain Guide : Puerta Del Sol In Madrid
“Gate of the Sun”, or Puerta del Sol, is a very popular tourist spot in Madrid.
The gates were once the entrance to Madrid. Madrid was surrounded by a huge wall back in the 1400’s, like many cities and towns were during the medieval period. The only way into the city was through the Puerta del Sol. Traders and travelers the world over knew of the gates and Puerta Del Sol stayed a popular meeting place even after the walls around Madrid were gone. Actually, it’s the main meeting place in Madrid to this day.
Outstanding examples of Spanish architecture can be seen throughout the area and there are also various monuments and statues, a particularly famous one being a large sculpture of a bear eating the fruit of the madrone tree (the name ‘Madrid’ derives from the Spanish word for this plant and the bear is a powerful symbol for the Madrid citizens).
The House of the Post Office, is one of Madrid’s most important buildings, and it is the main point for the celebrations of the New Year. There is also a slab of paving that marks the area that the six major highways come from, that go around Spain. For these reasons, it is an excellent place to start exploring the city, as well as the entire country.
Just a short distance away from Puerta del Sol you can visit other tourist attractions, like the Plaza Mayor or the Palacio Real; the Royal Palace. The city’s governmental body, Parliament, is also a short distance away. You can board a train at the Metro station and visit this location.
Dozens of side streets house shops, restaurants and other attractions, so at least half a day should be set aside for a visit. Go in the evening if possible as the bars and cafes fill up with tourists and citizens alike and street performers arrive to entertain those present.