Page 278 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

276  M ADRID

2 Colegiata de
San Isidro
Calle Toledo 37. Map 4 E3. Tel: 91 369
20 37.  La Latina, Tirso de Molina.
Open 7:30am–1pm & 6–9pm daily.
The Colegiata de San Isidro was
built in the Baroque style (see
p29) for the Jesuits in the mid-
17th century. This twin-towered
church served as Madrid’s
cathedral until La Almudena (see
p279) was completed in 1993.
Kilometre Zero, the centre of Spain’s road network, Puerta del Sol After Carlos III expelled the
Jesuits from Spain in 1767 (see
1 Puerta del Sol Carlos III. In 1847 it became p66), Ventura Rodríguez was
the head quarters of the Ministry commissioned to redesign the
Map 4 F2.  Sol.
of the Interior. The clock tower, interior of the church. It was
Crowded and noisy with chatter which gives the building much then rededicated to Madrid’s
and policemen’s whistles, the of its iden tity, was added in 1866. patron saint, St Isidore, and
Puerta del Sol makes a fitting During the Franco regime (see two years later the saint’s
centre for Madrid. This is one pp70–71), the police cells re mains were moved here
of the city’s most popular beneath the building were from the Iglesia de San Andrés.
meeting places, and huge the site of many human rights San Isidro was returned to
crowds converge here on their abuses. In 1963, Julián Grimau, the Jesuits during the reign
way to the shops and sights in a member of the underground of Fernando VII (1814–33).
the old part of the city. Communist Party, allegedly fell
The square marks the site of from an upstairs window and
the original eastern entrance miracu lously survived, only to
to the city, once occupied by be executed soon afterwards.
a gatehouse and castle. These The building is now home
disappeared long ago and in to the regional government
their place came a succession and is the focus of many festive
of churches. In the late 19th events. At midnight on New
century the area was turned Year’s Eve crowds fill the square
into a square and became to eat a grape on each stroke of
the centre of café society. the clock, a tradition supposed
Today the “square” is shaped to bring good luck for the year.
like a half-moon. A recent Outside a symbol on the
ad dition is the modern glass ground marks Kilometre Zero,
train station in front of the statue considered the centre of
of Carlos III. The southern side Spain’s huge road network.
of the square is edged by an The buildings opposite Altar in the Colegiata de San Isidro
austere red-brick building, origi- are arranged in a semicircle
nally the city’s post and contain modern shops and
office, built in cafés. At the start of Calle 3 Plaza de la Villa
the 1760s Alcalá is a bronze statue of the Map 4 D3.  Ópera, Sol.
under symbol of Madrid – a bear
reaching for the fruit of a The much-restored Plaza de
madroño (strawberry tree). la Villa is one of the most
The Puerta del Sol has atmospheric spots in Madrid.
witnessed many important Some of the city’s most historic
historical events. On 2 May secular buildings are situated
1808 the uprising against the around this square.
occupying French forces began The oldest building is the
here, but the crowd, pitted early 15th-century Torre de los
against the well-armed French Lujanes, with its Gothic portal
troops, was crushed (see p67). In and Mudéjar-style horse shoe
1912 the liberal prime minister arches. François I of France
José Canalejas was assassinated was allegedly impris oned in it
in the square and, in 1931, the following his defeat at the Battle
Second Republic (see p69) was of Pavia in 1525. The Casa de
The bronze bear and strawberry tree pro claimed from the balcony Cisneros was built in 1537 for
of Madrid, Puerta del Sol of the Ministry of the Interior. the nephew of Cardinal Cisneros,
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp568–9 and pp591–3

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.1)
Date 5th December 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm