Cibeles Square (Plaza de la Cibeles) - one of the most striking sights of Madrid, which is so fond of the inhabitants of the Spanish capital and its guests. In the center of the square is the Cibeles fountain - a sculptural composition of elegant work, set here in the 18th century and depicting the goddess of fertility Cybele, sitting in a chariot driven by a pair of lions.
around the fountain is a whole ensemble of buildings of great beauty. The most famous of them - the Palace of Cibeles, built in 1909, originally served as the main post office. Built in the style of art nouveau, dotted with graceful slender towers, in the people he received the nickname "wedding cake". Previously, it housed the Museum of Posts and Telegraphs, and since 2007 listed building architectural monuments and became the residence of the City Hall of Madrid.
contrast Cibeles Palace stands the Bank of Spain (Banco de Espana), built in 1884. It is a masterpiece of architecture with a huge glass dome and beautiful stained-glass windows. According to rumors, an underground tunnel leads from the Bank to the center of the square through which water flows from the Cibeles fountain to the special treasure room, thereby increasing the safety and security of the gold stored there.
Palacio de Linares is another magnificent structure , decorating itself with the Sibeles Square. Once there was a prison here, but in 1873 the building was completely rebuilt as the residence of the wealthy banker Jose de Murga.
It is very harmonious with the general architectural picture of the Palacio de Buenavista with its magnificent gardens, which in the XVIII century belonged to the Dukes of Alba, and now serves as the headquarters of the High Command of the Spanish Armed Forces.
At the Cibeles Square, the inhabitants of Madrid have traditionally celebrated the victories of the national football team and the team of Real Madrid But the players themselves to the joys of swimming in the fountain. However, recently the city administration imposed a ban on the damage to the goddess statue
| Cibeles Square |
| Cibeles Palace, Cibeles Square |
| Cibeles Fountain, Cibeles Square |