Date Added: October 31, 2013 03:10:59 PM

If you go to a hotel Campanile in Madrid, there is one site in Spain that you as a tourist must not miss. The Plaza Mayor, a historic square found in the national capital, is a tourist attraction that will bring you to centuries past and introduce you to the lively Spanish life of today. If you really want to get a peek of how life in Spain was once in the past, then a visit to this Spanish monument is highly recommended.

Visit to the Past

There is a particular feel about the Plaza Mayor that no other place in Madrid or even in entire Spain can match. For whatever that is, it's certainly coming from the rich and intriguing history of this famous public venue. For starters, the plaza has been through a lot. In the middle ages, back when the place is yet to become a square, the site was a market found outside the city walls.

In 1576, Philip II ordered that a plaza be built around the place. Under the supervision of Juan de Herrera, the initial design and concept for the Plaza Mayor was created. However, the actual construction only began 41 years later under the rule of Philip III. By 1619, the new supervisor of the project, Juan Gómez de Mora, finished the construction.
Under different reigns, the square (originally called Plaza del Arrabal) has been called different names. In 1812, it was called Plaza de la Constitución, following the Constitution of 1812. Two years later, this name was changed to Plaza Real. The name Plaza de la Constitución returned and was used from the years 1820 to 1823, 1933 to 1835, and 1840 to 1843. Another change happened and it was named Plaza de la República, then almost immediately back to Plaza de la Constitución. By the end of the Spanish Civil War, this curse was finally lifted and the name was changed permanently to Plaza Mayor.
There have also been a lot of dark events that occurred in this part of Madrid. From public executions to tortures and bullfights, the plaza has seen different times in history that only made it more significant today.

The Plaza Today

Today's Plaza Mayor, much like its name, has been transformed into something better. Today, the square is teeming with energy from the crowd and the businesses that thrive in the area. Nearby, there are plenty of Madrid hotels (click) where tourists can check in to stay close to this historic plaza. Inside the square, there is also an abundance of options for shops, restaurants, and cafés. Going to these establishments can enrich your stay in the plaza.

All around, you can also see mime artists, street painters, and other performers that only set the fun and artsy ambience in the area. The warm colors of the surrounding apartments also add to the cool atmosphere. A particular building in the plaza, the Casa de la Panadería, is adorned with colorful frescoes by Carlos Franco. The same thematic colors are present in these paintings. A different feel is meanwhile evoked by the local youths that scatter around the area, especially during the weekends. These young people would often lounge around the vicinity and just stare at the beauty of the place and the arrival of visitors. Any tourist is welcome to do the same, as this is something that is enjoyable in its simplicity.

Whether you're staying at malaga hotels or in a hotel Madrid, if you're a tourist in Spain, you have to visit the Plaza Mayor in Madrid. Because of its rich, dark history and very appealing architecture, this square attracts tourists and locals alike. Situated close to many Madrid hotels, the plaza is a great place to absorb Spanish life and history.