Paris1972-Versailles2003

This is a memorable square for me as came here first in 1970 looking for Don Quijote’s Miguel de Cervantes statue and even climb it as young teen in my crazy days !!! Love it; sadly too poor to have a camera then. Once back as a young adult was already more stable , had the camera but did not climbed the statue … Anyway, came with the family and show them around, and then came back again, and again, always a must stop in Madrid for me. I was by there last week and need to show new pictures in my blog, Hope you enjoy the post on the Plaza de España of Madrid, part II !!! as I

I like to bring up one that is very popular and better known for the literary history on it. I will talk about the Plaza de España.  The square is very central to many nice things to do and gorgeous parks , as well on the ending of the Gran Via and continuation into Calle de la Princesa all the way to the Faro de Moncloa and Arco de la Victoria, many times walk the beat , gorgeous just thinking about it , already !. From Madrid to heaven and a hole in the sky to look down on it everyday!

The Plaza de España has undergone a complete renovation project to make it more pedestrian friendly, For info, is is located in the Argüelles neighborhood, in the extreme southeast of the Moncloa-Aravaca district. In its center is a monumental fountain dedicated to Miguel de Cervantes. It acts as a continuation axis joining the Gran Vía with Calle de la Princesa. When Philip II moved the court from Toledo to Madrid in 1561, the Plaza de España was a vegetable garden. It was irrigated with water from the Leganitos stream, which ran along the street of the same name. The square was inaugurated in 1928 with the name of Plaza de España, The square is located on the old lands occupied by the San Gil Barracks, demolished in 1910. The Parque del Oeste, the Sabatini Gardens, the beginning of Calle Princesa and the end of Gran Vía come together; This axis circumstance between different poles of Madrid has made the square one of the busiest and most iconic in the city.

The new square occupies a space of more than 70,000 m2 in which all modes of mobility coexist, with pedestrian and cyclist areas located on the surface and underground, through a tunnel that connects Calle Bailén with Calle Ferraz (I did it !) The Plaza de España has been on renovation mode since 2018,delays by the you know who virus , Vehicle traffic was eliminated in the central area, new green areas were created and pedestrian accessibility was improved. In addition, an important reform of the monument to Cervantes was carried out, which included the removal of the fountain and the creation of a new lighting system. Some major changes are the space closest to the Edificio España, will act as an extension of the social life of Gran Vía and function as a great civic square with a large central space cleared of trees and street furniture where large events can be held. The second large area is the green axis that links the Parque del Oeste with the Jardines de Sabatini gardens. Between these spaces and the pedestrian area, 1,344 trees were planted, all of them native species, although some existing transplants was required. Three fountains were added to all the green areas, one of them new. The source of the Nacimiento de Agua was moved from its current position in front of the Edificio España, to the south, near the Temple of Debod. The second, which is now in front of the Cervantes monument was remodeled to improve its operation and lighting. The third and newly created will be Fuente del Cielo, built with makauba marble and inspired by the sky of Madrid. This last fountain will be located between the Plaza de España and the Jardines de Sabatini. The traffic existing in the square up to now will be lost, on the one hand, due to the removal of paved lanes, which will be used to widen the sidewalks and the new bike lanes, and on the other hand, it was diverted through the new tunnel that goes from Calle Ferraz to Calle Bailen and the Almudena Cathedral. The nine lanes in front of the Edificio España building was reduced to five. In this way, with similar actions, the available pedestrian space will double to 40,000 square metres. Likewise, bike lanes were build that cross the square from north to south and from east to west. In addition, some elevators were installed to save the unevenness of the Cuesta de San Vicente.(street).

The Madrid tourist office on the new Plaza de España: https://www.esmadrid.com/en/new-plaza-espana

There you go folks, another nostalgic trip to my sentimental dear Madrid and the Plaza de España, I like the look, nice modern airy just beautiful Madrid ! Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Plaza de España of Madrid, part II as I

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!