Again, last week by my dear Madrid , and the Plaza de Oriente or eastern square, smallish yet surrounded by wonderful buildings. Therefore, let me tell you on the Plaza de Oriente of Madrid, part II !!! Hope you enjoy it as I.
This is heavens territory or as we said, To Madrid to heavens and a hole in the sky to look down on it everyday. This is all Spain in one city, you have, see it and do it all here. Except the beach but who cares about sand when you have architecture and history all around you, and great bars !!! Nevertheless, the Plaza de Oriente is a must to come , especially if first time, just talking about the walks around here !!
During the reign of José Bonaparte, which lasted from 1808 to 1813, the first demolitions of blocks around the palace were undertaken, which earned the monarch the nickname of Pepe Plazuelas as well, The leveling of land, the start of some buildings around the square and the demolition of the theater of Los Caños del Peral (located in the Plaza de Isabel II) were due to the impulse of Fernando VII. Later the Teatro Real ! In 1836, during the reign of Isabel II, the decision was made to demolish the buildings begun in the time of Fernando VII and undertake a new design, in keeping with the Teatro Real. The Plaza de Oriente is rectangular in shape, although its head, located to the east, closes forming a curve, presided over by the Teatro Real. Three large quadrants can be distinguished: the central gardens, the Cape Noval gardens and the Lepanto gardens.
The Plaza de Oriente is at the center of an important monumental ensemble including not only the Palacio Real, but by two of the most important buildings of the City : the Teatro Real. Its north face is formed by the Real Monasterio de la Encarnacion, which was expropriated by the orchard of the priory to integrate it into the square. In the middle of the square, the equestrian statue of Felipe IV (see post) work in bronze done between 1634 and 1640. It is done looking east towards the Teatro Real (see post) following the calculations of Galileo, is escorted by a large part of the collection of statues of the Spanish kings who should have crowned the Palacio Real. The gardens follow geometric shapes that air and give visibility to the façade of the palace.
Around the statue of the monarch, were located 44 sculptures, corresponding to different Spanish kings, but in 1927 was reduced its number to 20. The 20 statues of the monarchs are located longitudinally, in two rows of ten, on both sides of the central monument. These are briefly:
Ataulfo was king of the Visigoths from 410 to 415. Eurico was king of the Visigoths from 466 to 484, Flavio Leovigildo was king of the Visigoths of 568 or 569 to 586. Suintila was king of the Visigoths between 621 and 631, Wamba was king of the Visigoths between the years 672 and 680, Pelayo frequently named as Don Pelayo, is considered the first monarch of the kingdom of Asturias, who ruled from 718 to 737, Alfonso I of Asturias called “the Catholic”, was king of Asturias between the years 739 and 757. Íñigo Arista, was the founder of the Arista-Íñiga dynasty, and Count of Bigorra. Although he has traditionally been considered the first king of Pamplona ,just as the fifth king of the kingdom of Sobrarbe was king from 841 to 851, Alfonso II of Asturias nicknamed “el Casto” was king of Asturias in two different periods: first in the year 783 and later between the years 791 and 842, Ramiro I of Asturias was a King of Asturias between the years 842 and 850, Ordoño I of Asturias King of Asturias between the years 850 and 866, he was the son of King Ramiro I and father of Alfonso III of Asturias. Wifredo el Velloso, was Count of Urgell and La Cerdanya (868/70-897), of Barcelona and Gerona (878-897) and of Osona (886-897), Alfonso III of Asturias, called “the Great” was king of Asturias from 866 until shortly before his death, which occurred in 910, Ordoño II of León was King of Galicia, subordinate to the King of León, between the years 910 and 914. He was King of León from the year 914 until his death in 923 , Ramiro II de León, called the Great, was king of León between 931 and 951. His Muslim enemies called him the Devil because of his ferocity and energy. Fernando González, better known in the epic songs and later chronicles as Fernán González, was Count of Castilla, Burgos, Álava, Lantarón and Cerezo (931-944 and 945-970).the Noble or the one of the Good Fueros, he was king of León from 999 until his death in 1028, Ramiro I of Aragon is traditionally considered the first King of Aragon from 1035 to 1063), Sancha Alfónsez de León or Sancha I, legitimate daughter of Alfonso V of León and Queen Elvira Menéndez, was Infanta and Queen of León, becoming her husband , the Count of Castile Fernando I, King consort but with effective power on the death of Bermudo III de León, brother of Queen Sancha, who lost his life in the battle of Tamarón. She reigned from 1037 to 1065, and Fernando I de León, called “el Magno” or “el Grande” was Count of Castile from 1029 and King of León from 1037 until his death in 1065.
The Madrid Tourist office on the Plaza de Oriente: https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-information/jardines-de-la-plaza-de-oriente
There you go folks, another wonderful square in my dear Madrid, and a great place to walk at any hour. Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Plaza de Oriente of Madrid, part II as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 