Another of the main and perhaps the most famous landmarks of Madrid is the Puerta del Sol, which is the city's central square. This square was formed on the site of a former gate in the wall that surrounded the city in the Middle Ages. Middle Ages. The square got its name from this gate: Puerta del Sol means Sun Gate. In 1521, the Sun Gate was demolished to widen the entrance to the city, the space around it was enlarged, and and thus a square was formed on the site.
Today, Puerta del Sol is shaped like a month and is the site where eight roads intersect. In the centre of the square, a bronze plate is embedded in the ground. a bronze plate in the centre of the square, considered to be the zero point for road distances in Spain, because Puerta del Sol is the centre of Madrid, and Madrid, in turn, the centre of the country.
In the centre of the square is a monument to Charles III, who is depicted seated in a saddle, and at the corner with Carmen Street are bronze sculptures of the Bear and the Earthling Tree Bear and strawberry tree, which are symbols of the Spanish capital. It is these symbols are also depicted on the coat of arms of Madrid.
Here is also located the Post Office building, the date of construction of which dates back to 1761. 1761. The top of the tower of this building is decorated with a clock, which traditionally on New Year's Eve beats out the symbols. New Year's Eve beats to symbolise the arrival of the New Year. This is now the seat of government of the Autonomous Region of Madrid.
In 1919, it was under the Puerta del Sol square that the first line of the city's metro was laid. of the city's metro.
