The Puerta del Sol, the center of life in Madrid

J. L. Gamallo.  The Puerta del Sol, the center of Madrid and road km 0 of Spain, is a unique and especially attractive for all tourists visiting the capital of Spain. It is the heart of city life, a place to meet friends, to go to the shopping areas, have a few beers, eat at the tavern typical of many that are very close, and so on. It is difficult to come to Madrid and not feel attracted by the special attraction of this place, whose name former city gate adorned with a sun. Most of the buildings date from the twentieth century reform, although the current seat of the Presidency of the Community of Madrid was built by King Carlos III to Real Casa de Correos. The Clock Tower is the world famous brand since its bells old year over year again. That night the Puerta del Sol lives his big night, occupied by thousands of people who are going to celebrate the New Year eating the traditional grapes of luck. The old cafes and traditional commerce are gone, and phone shops or souvenirs, fast food restaurants have taken their place. And although there are fast food, there or in the nearby streets of Espoz and Mina, or Victoria are resisting taverns and typical food bars, to the delight of tourists and locals.At the corner of the Calle Mayor still stands the Mallorquina pastry famous with its Neapolitans cream and chocolate truffles. Front, reaching almost corner with known Arenal lotteries are installed. From Hostel Horizonte reach Sol is a matter of just five minutes soaking in the atmosphere even genuine Plaza. The first is to admire the elegant neoclassical Royal Post Office, with its famous clock and underneath, the star that marks the road km 0 of Spain. On the façade there are two inscriptions remember two events in the history of Madrid, one that recalls the uprising of May 2 in the square against the French (1808) and other victims of the attack on March 11, 2004. Opposite, between the two modern sources of the 1985 reform, stands the equestrian statue of Carlos III, the best mayor of Madrid, installed in 1994 by popular referendum. It is a bronze reproduction of the work Juan Pascual de Mena, preserved in the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, located near the beginning of the Calle de Alcala, whose museum, with many valuable paintings, should visit. On this side of the square is one of the most sought iconographic elements, the Statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, near the building where the missing hotel Paris, where he was the famous billboard in lights of Tio Pepe. In that building will install the new Apple store.El Tio Pepe is installed in another building in the square. At the entrance to Calle Preciados rises commerce giant Madrid, El Corte Ingles, whose stores you can find almost everything. At the corner of Calle de la Montera resists another endearing traditional commerce, Casa Diego, which sells umbrellas and fans, and retains the intimate scent of another época.En 1912, when looked Bookseller showcase San Martin, located at the corner with Carretas street, was killed Jose Canalejas, president of the Council of Ministers, by the anarchist Manuel Pardifias. Although not in the Puerta del Sol, but Tetuan Street, near the corner of Calle Preciados, there is a hundred year tavern, Casa Labra, famous for its croquettes and soldiers of Pavia (batter fried cod). Finally visit the giant commuter station, entering the spectacular glass dome, the latest fetish iconography of the Puerta del Sol.