Plaza Mayor is one of the main squares of Madrid. Area, built in Baroque style by the architect Juan gómez de Mora, is a true architectural masterpiece of the era of the Habsburgs.

The Grand opening of the square took place on 15 may 1620 in day of reckoning Isidore de Merleau-and-Quintana canonized. Since then, Isidore is the patron Saint of Madrid, and may 15 is a holiday.

Originally created the square was surrounded by buildings built of wood, which was the cause of frequent fires in its territory. Recovery area after the fire that occurred in 1790, was carried out under the supervision of architect Juan de Villanueva. The architect decided to replace the surrounding area of wooden houses made of stone, and connected buildings along the entire perimeter. In the United buildings were created nine rather broad arched passages. The restructuring of the area took about 60 years, and was completed by 1853. Today, the Plaza Mayor is rectangular in shape, and surrounded by a number of interconnected and built in the same style 136 buildings. The facades are decorated with balconies, allowing you to observe what happens in the area. Once the balcony of the building of the Casa de Panaderia were held by members of the Royal family watching the celebrations or executions on Plaza Mayor.

In the center of the square is the magnificent equestrian statue of king Philip III, made of bronze. This monument began to create a Flemish sculptor Giambologna and completed by his pupil Pietro Tacca in 1616.