Sol has seen protests against the March 11th 2004 attacks on commuter trains, and Spain's involvement in the Iraq War . In 2011, the square became established as a focal point and a symbol for the ongoing Spanish democracy demonstrations. The demonstrations then spread to more than sixty other cities throughout Spain. Since 12 June 2011, the square has held a free-standing domed structure made from pallets, which served as an information point for the 15-M Movement.
A few centuries ago, the majority of people used public clocks on the street as a guide, as they lacked personal watches. The problem was that this particular clock did not work properly, so the public administration changed it on many occasions. Eventually, an official watchmaker from the Spanish Navy was requested to create a clock that would finally provide accurate time. He donated the clock to the people of Madrid, which was inaugurated in 1866. Since then, the clock has not stopped providing the exact time to both locals and passers-by.
Madrid is certainly one of the capitals of fashion and shopping in Spain, and Preciados is one of the most important shopping hubs of the Spanish capital. Dubbed the most commercial street in Madrid, Preciados is also home to some uber-expensive real estate and apartments. Although popular for the countless couture and high-street shops, this street is also famous for housing the English Court and other international franchises. Located just a short walk from the Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol is Madrid‘s most famous and central square.
Originally the site of one of the city’s gates, Puerta del Sol should be at the top of your list of places to visit. Sitting atop the Casa de Correos building, the current headquarters of the Madrid regional government, you’ll find the famous clock that all eyes turn to on the last day of the year. For over a century now tradition has it that people across the country usher in the New Year by eating 12 lucky grapes to the twelve chimes of midnight struck by this clock. This bustling square located bang in the centre of Madrid is one of the city’s most famous sites. With its semi-circular shape, it is a junction for many of the city’s historical and busiest streets such as Mayor, Arenal, Alcalá and Preciados, as well as the starting point for all major radial roads in Spain. The statue is of a bear climbing a fruit tree and eating strawberries from its branches.
History in this case might be mixed with legend, you can read here another posible explanation for the origin of this name. The semicircular junction owes its present appearance in part to the Bourbon king Carlos III (r 1759–88), whose equestrian statue stands in the middle. Look out for the statue of a bear nuzzling a madroño at the plaza's eastern end; this is the official symbol of the city. The present semi-circular shape of the square originates from the from the mid 19th century with the flat south side facing the Real Casa de Correos which is presently government offices.
Also on the east side lies the statue of The Bear and the Strawberry Tree (in Spanish, el Oso y el Madroño), the heraldic symbol of Madrid. Until 2009, the statue stood on the north side at the entrance to Calle del Carmen. The Mariblanca is a copy of a statue , which marks the place of a former fountain displaying that figure. Puerta del Sol is home to many famous statues, the most important of which is El Oso y El Madrono, or the “Bear and the Strawberry Tree.†This statue is located at the east end of the square below the famous Tio Pepe advert. For many years now the Bear and the Strawberry Tree has been the unofficial symbol of Madrid.
Puerta del Sol (meaning The Sun's Gate in English) is one of the most renowned central squares in Madrid, a meeting point both for tourists and Madrileños, and home to several of the city’s landmarks, such as the Kilometre zero. Under the square lies a public transport hub served by lines 1, 2 and 3 of the Madrid Metro. A commuter service was inaugurated on 27 June 2009, four years behind schedule. The lateness of the construction was in part due to the discovery of the remains of the Church of Our Lady of Good Success during the excavation of the main chamber.
The new station connects the Puerta to Madrid's commuter rail system and, by extension, to Spain's railroads via direct connections to Atocha and ChamartÃn railway stations . This arcaded square located in the historical spain centre of the city is the heart of Hapsburg Madrid. Because of its location and prominence, the Puerta del Sol still serves as the focal point for many political protests. Mimers and musicians keep the crowds entertained and Disney characters amuse the young ones with their little pranks.