After two and a half years of works, this central Madrid square is recovering its splendour to become a new tourist attraction in the city, which is greener, more sustainable and accessible in which the pedestrian becomes the key feature. Located at the end of the Gran Vía, it has been pedestrianised to allow the connection between the valuable public spaces in this area: the Plaza de Oriente, the Sabatini Gardens, the Campo del Moro and Madrid Río, which had been separated up to now.
The new square occupies an area of 70,000 m2 in which all forms of mobility co-exist, with pedestrian and cyclist areas on the surface and traffic being rerouted underground through a tunnel that links Calle Bailén and Calle Ferraz, which is a continuation of the tunnel built in 1990 in front of the Palacio Real. More than 1,100 new trees have been planted and more than three kilometres of cycleways have been implemented and 400 metres of cycle routes in traffic-free areas, as well as extensive children’s play areas.
In addition to the fountain with the popular Monument to Cervantes (work of Rafael Martínez Zapatero and Lorenzo Cullaut Valera, opened in 1915), the square has another two fountains: a newly created one, Fuente del Cielo, made out of makauba marble and inspired by the Madrid sky; and the one known as the Fuente de la Concha or the Birth of Water, previously located in front of Edificio España and which will soon be relocated to in front of the Parish of Santa Teresa and San José, at Number 14, Plaza de España, a beautiful Neo-gothic temple of medieval inspiration.
As a result of the works, important archaeological remains were uncovered and have been integrated in the square so that they can be visited by the public. Therefore, it will be possible to visit the two floors of the Godoy Palace, part of the former Royal Stables, the Sabatini Gardens and the remains of the layout of the former San Gil Barracks. Not only can the remains be visited by citizens and academics, but an archaeological route will also be implemented and an interpretation centre of the monumental cornice will be built to explain and help understand the evolution of the city close to its roots.
On the other hand, the square is flanked by two of the city’s emblematic skyscrapers: Torre de Madrid and Edificio España, which houses the luxury Riu Plaza España hotel, which make up one of the capital’s most interesting architectural ensembles.
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