The Plaza Mayor is a must-see symbol of Madrid. This huge esplanade, located in the center of the city, began to be built in the seventeenth century, by order of King Felipe III, whose equestrian statue sculpted in bronze adorns the place. Inaugurated in 1620, it is a square with a rectangular plan, crossed by arcades.
This enclosure was the scene in past times for numerous public events, such as bullfights, processions, parties, theater performances, Inquisition trials and even capital executions. Under its porches, there are traditional shops, as well as a multitude of bars and restaurants. Some buildings stand out in the square, such as the Casa de la Panadería, in which the frescoes on the façade stand out, and the Casa de la Carnicería.