Puerta del Sol

The Spanish called it the “Gate of the Sun” and for visitors to Spain’s Puerta del Sol, they’ll know exactly what the Spaniards were talking about.

The Gate of the Sun gates were once the main entrance to Madrid Spain. Like many medieval towns of that time period, it was surrounded in the 15th century by a protective wall and it is through the gates that entry to the city was gained.

In this way, it was well known to traders and visitors from all over the world. After the walls around Madrid were removed, it remained as a meeting place. Interestingly, the location is still the major meeting point in Madrid.

Spanish architecture looms big through out Puerta del Sol, speaking of a past of opulence and grandeur. One famous example is a very large sculpture of a bear eating fruit. The fruit the bear is eating is reported to be from the Madrone tree where the scenic city of Madrid derives it’s name from. The iconic bear itself is a great symbol for the people of Madrid.

One of the city’s most important Madrid buildings is the House of the Post Office. It’s the central focus for the city’s New Year celebrations. Also there is a paving slab where the six main Spanish highways originate. Because of this, the location is an excellent spot to begin exploring not just Madrid, but the entire country of Spain.

Leaving Puerta Del Sol, it’s only a short walk to other popular Madrid attractions such as Plaza Mayor and Palacio Real. The Parliament building is also nearby and the Metro is easily accessible from the area.

Madrid offers many side streets that offer shops, restaurants, and many other attractions. Any visitor should spend as much time as possible touring this area. During the warm Madrid evenings, it’s the best time to go as the bars and cafes that line the historic streets. They will be full of both tourists, local citizens as well as many street performers who come to entertain.

Christmas in Madrid is an unforgettable experience.

Madrid, the capital city of Spain presents innumerable prospects for enjoying Christmas holidays, because Christmas is celebrated with lot of frolic and fun in this part of the world.

Like most other European cities, Madrid showcases its own unique version of these traditional Holiday markets and events. The city comes alive with an array of colorful lights and festive holiday cheer.

Christmas events in Madrid make the Christmas celebrations in the city all the more enchanting and exciting. Be a part of this festivity this season and celebrate this festive season with Christmas Carnivals.

The main Christmas Market is located in the beautiful Plaza Mayor.  Some of the highlights of the season include; extensive lighting displays along all the main boulevards, a sound and light display for kids at the Gardens of Discovery near the Plaza Colon (Dec. 22 – Jan.7), and the annual animal parade in Retiro Park on Christmas Eve.

For a little exercise and fun during this time, the city sets up outdoor skating rinks in the parks around this historic city.

If you are an art lover, you might want to make plans for a stop-over in Madrid before summer ends. Two major exhibits showcasing two of the world’s greatest artists will be opening in the romantic Spanish city.

Beginning in May and running to September 6th, the Prado in Madrid will feature Joaquín Sorolla (1863-1923), the first major monographic exhibition devoted to the artist since 1963.

One of the key figures in the history of Spanish art and the most internationally-known artist of his day, Sorolla worked in a realistic style and captured the magical light of Valencia’s Mediterranean coast.

Opening June 9 and running through September 20, the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza will present a major exhibition, Matisse: 1917 – 1941. Designed to showcase a little-studied period in the artist’s life and work, the show will present some 80 paintings, sculptures and drawings from two critical dates.

Marked by the shadow of World War I and the forebodings of the next world conflict, the period was one of rapid ascent for Matisse, and this exhibition aims to present the artist’s central role in the flourishing of modern art during this era.