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 !!! Hope you enjoy the post 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,(see post) 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:
The Plaza de Oriente has a nice garden around it too. Located in front of the Royal Palace, these 1.60 hectares of garden are part of one of the most touristic ensembles in Madrid. These gardens were built on the initiative of Joseph Bonaparte, in order to enhance the Royal Palace and the Royal Theater. Since then they have experienced numerous and important renovations. The current design of the gardens, created in 1941, still takes as a reference point the equestrian statue of Felipe IV, but distributes the gardens squarely. They are composed of seven parterres, populated by shrubs of boxwood, ,cypresses, and magnolias of small size, as well as floral plantations, of temporary character. They are bounded on both sides by rows of statues, popularly known as the Goths Kings, who act as the dividing line of the other two quadrants.
There are further subdivision of gardens alongside the Plaza de Oriente, that sometimes makes you think you are in the same but they are not. The gardens of Cabo Noval, composed mainly of banana plantations, occupy the northern part of the Plaza de Oriente, next to the street of San Quintin, for which the traffic is allowed. The gardens of Lepanto are located in the southern part of the square. They are defined by Calle de Bailén, which runs to the west, in parallel with the archery of the Plaza de la Armeria; and by the Calle de Vergara, which appears to the south, through a ramp, built to save the slope of the terrain. To the east is the Calle de Lepanto, which lends its name.
You get here easily on the Metro Opera line 2 and 5 ,and bus lines 25 and 39; parking best by Cuesta Santo Domingo 5 near Royal Opera Theater.
The Madrid Tourist office on the Plaza de Oriente: https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-information/jardines-de-la-plaza-de-oriente
The Comunidad de Madrid region tourist office on Madrid: https://www.visitmadrid.es/en/places-to-visit-in-madrid/best-places-to-visit-in-madrid-spain
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 !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 