Puerta del Sol facts for kids
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View of the square in 2009
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| Type | urban square |
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| Location | Sol, Centro, Madrid, Spain |
| Major junctions |
Mayor, Arenal, Preciados, Carmen, Montera, Alcalá, San Jerónimo, Espoz y Mina, Carretas, Correo |
The Puerta del Sol (which means "Gate of the Sun" in Spanish) is a very famous and busy public square in Madrid, Spain. It's like the heart of the city! This square is known as "Km 0" because it's the central point from which all the main roads in Spain are measured.
The Puerta del Sol also has a special clock. Every New Year's Eve, people gather here to watch its bells ring. When the clock strikes midnight, everyone eats Twelve Grapes to celebrate the start of a new year. This celebration has been shown live on national TV since 1962!
Contents
History of Puerta del Sol
The Puerta del Sol started as one of the gates in the city wall that protected Madrid way back in the 1400s. Outside this wall, small towns began to grow. The gate was named "Gate of the Sun" because it faced east, and the rising sun would shine through it.
Between the 1600s and 1800s, this area became a very important meeting spot. It was where messengers from other countries and parts of Spain would arrive at the Post Office. People would gather there to hear the latest news. There were also steps near the Saint Philip church, known as the Gradas de San Felipe. This was a popular place where people would meet to chat and share stories, a bit like a gossip spot!
The main building in the square, called the House of the Post Office, was built by a French architect named Jacques Marquet between 1766 and 1768. This building was once used by the government for important offices. Today, it is the main office for the President of the Madrid Community.
Famous Sights in the Square
The Puerta del Sol has many famous sights that people from all over the world recognize.
The Old Post Office Building
On the south side of the square, you'll find the old Post Office building. This building is now the office of the President of Madrid, who is the leader of the local government for the Madrid region.
King Charles III Statue
Also on the south side, there's a statue of Charles III of Spain on a horse. He was a king nicknamed "el rey alcalde," which means "the mayor-king." He got this name because he started many big building projects to improve the city.
The Bear and the Strawberry Tree
On the east side of the square, you can see a statue called The Bear and the Strawberry Tree (in Spanish, el Oso y el Madroño). This statue is a special symbol for Madrid and is even on the city's coat of arms. It used to be in a different spot, but it was moved in 2009.
Tío Pepe Sign
For a long time, a famous bright sign for "Tío Pepe" (a Spanish drink) was above a building on the east side of the square. It's now on top of another building nearby.
The Mariblanca Statue
The Mariblanca is a white marble statue of a woman. It's a copy of an older statue that used to be part of a fountain in the square.
Kilometre Zero Plaque
Right in front of the Post Office building, there's a special plaque on the ground called kilómetro cero. This plaque marks the exact center of Spain! It's where the numbering for all the main roads in Spain begins. Because it's such an important spot, the square is often used for gatherings and protests where people share their ideas about important events. For example, people gathered here to protest about the 2004 train attacks and other big world events.
Democracy Demonstrations
In 2011, the Puerta del Sol became a very important place for people who wanted to show their support for democracy in Spain. Many people gathered and even camped out in the square to share their ideas. These demonstrations spread to many other cities across Spain. For a while, there was even a special dome made of wooden pallets that served as an information point for the people involved in the "15-M Movement."
Where is Puerta del Sol?
The Puerta del Sol is right in the very center of Madrid. As mentioned, it's the "kilometre zero" point for all of Spain's main roads. There's a plaque on the ground that shows this exact spot. The old plaque was replaced in 2009 because it had become worn out from so many people walking over it! Also, street numbers in Madrid start closest to the Puerta del Sol.
- The old and new kilometer zero plaques
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Just a short walk southwest from the square is the Plaza Mayor, another famous square. The Palacio Real, where the Royal Family officially lives, is a bit further west. The Spanish Parliament and the museum area are to the east, and the Atocha train station is to the southeast.
Underneath the square, there's a big public transport station. You can catch Metro lines 1, 2, and 3 here. A commuter train service also opened in 2009, connecting the Puerta del Sol to Madrid's wider train system. This means you can easily get to major train stations like Atocha and Chamartín.
The square connects many shopping and fun areas. The streets around it are full of shops for both locals and tourists, like the big El Corte Inglés department stores. There are also many cafes and restaurants. The area stays lively late into the night because bars and dance clubs often start their entertainment after midnight! You can also often hear street musicians playing in the area.
Some smaller streets near the square also have homes, small offices, and hostels for visitors.
Other Events
On New Year's Eve 2018-2019, something special happened. For the first time ever, the clock at Puerta del Sol rang its bells for the Canary Islands time zone. After the traditional twelve strokes for mainland Spain, the clock moved its hands back one hour to ring again at the same time as the Canary Islands.
Images for kids
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Bear and the Madroño Tree, heraldic symbol of Madrid
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Night time photo of the Bear and the Madroño Tree, heraldic symbol of Madrid
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A sunset, the Bear and the Madroño Tree and the Tio Pepe Neon Advertisement in the distance
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Puerta del Sol, Tio Pepe Neon Advertisement photographed at Sunset
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Puerta del Sol in Madrid with King Carlos III statue and Tio Pepe sign
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Monument to King Charles III in front of the House of the Post Office
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The Tío Pepe advertisement is a landmark
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A Street artist at Puerta del Sol and the Tio Pepe Neon Advertisement photographed at Sunset.
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Tio Pepe Neon Advertisement ' Puerta Del Sol ' Madrid, Spain ' photographed at Sunset in black and white.
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Puerta Del Sol, Madrid Metro and the Tio Pepe Neon Advertisement at Sunset
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A demonstration in the square
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The New Year's Eve celebrations
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See also
In Spanish: Puerta del Sol para niños
