Plaza de la Villa (Town Hall Square), Madrid
For a peaceful retreat in the heart of Madrid, look no further than the Town Hall Square. Just steps from Calle Mayor and close to the Town Square (鈥淧laza Mayor鈥�), this medieval gem is among the city鈥檚 best-preserved historical landmarks. Surrounded by striking buildings that tell the story of Spanish architecture over three centuries, it offers a window into the past.
Dominating the square is the old Town Hall, or 鈥淐asa de la Villa,鈥� a masterpiece of Habsburg Madrid completed in 1696. Noted for its beautiful stained glass windows and frescoes by Antonio Palomino, this building embodies elegance. Across the archway is the 16th-century Cisneros House, a prime example of early Spanish Renaissance style, boasting an intricate Plateresque facade and an exceptional collection of fine tapestries.
Near the Town Hall, the Lujanes House and Tower are reputedly the oldest structures in the city. Dating back to the early 15th century, the tower has an intriguing legend. Following the Battle of Pavia in 1525, King Charles I reportedly imprisoned France鈥檚 King Francis I in this very place. The French monarch, refusing to bow to his captor, was forced to use a lowered entrance, thus 鈥渂owing鈥� each time he entered or exited鈥攁n enduring tale that adds to the tower鈥檚 mystique.
At the square鈥檚 center stands a tribute to Admiral 脕lvaro de Baz谩n, the Spanish naval hero who never lost a battle during his 50-year career. The statue, unveiled in 1891, marks the 300th anniversary of his passing.
Dominating the square is the old Town Hall, or 鈥淐asa de la Villa,鈥� a masterpiece of Habsburg Madrid completed in 1696. Noted for its beautiful stained glass windows and frescoes by Antonio Palomino, this building embodies elegance. Across the archway is the 16th-century Cisneros House, a prime example of early Spanish Renaissance style, boasting an intricate Plateresque facade and an exceptional collection of fine tapestries.
Near the Town Hall, the Lujanes House and Tower are reputedly the oldest structures in the city. Dating back to the early 15th century, the tower has an intriguing legend. Following the Battle of Pavia in 1525, King Charles I reportedly imprisoned France鈥檚 King Francis I in this very place. The French monarch, refusing to bow to his captor, was forced to use a lowered entrance, thus 鈥渂owing鈥� each time he entered or exited鈥攁n enduring tale that adds to the tower鈥檚 mystique.
At the square鈥檚 center stands a tribute to Admiral 脕lvaro de Baz谩n, the Spanish naval hero who never lost a battle during his 50-year career. The statue, unveiled in 1891, marks the 300th anniversary of his passing.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Madrid. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Plaza de la Villa (Town Hall Square) on Map
Sight Name: Plaza de la Villa (Town Hall Square)
Sight Location: Madrid, Spain (See walking tours in Madrid)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Madrid, Spain (See walking tours in Madrid)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Madrid, Spain
Create Your Own Walk in Madrid
Creating your own self-guided walk in Madrid is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Madrid Food Tour
Spain is internationally reputed as a major gastronomic power and its capital city Madrid attests to this claim, being home to vibrant food markets and multiple establishments serving traditional Spanish food in a soul-warming atmosphere.
One of the iconic food destinations is Plaza Mayor, a bustling town square where you can savor traditional Spanish dishes. The square is home to numerous... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
One of the iconic food destinations is Plaza Mayor, a bustling town square where you can savor traditional Spanish dishes. The square is home to numerous... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Miguel de Cervantes' Madrid Walking Tour
The name of the iconic Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes is closely associated with Madrid. The author is known for a number of works, but his 1605 novel Don Quixote de la Mancha is often held as the first modern novel.
Despite being regarded as one of the fathers of modern literature, very little is known about Cervantes' early life. Born in 1547, he had spent some of his young years in... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Despite being regarded as one of the fathers of modern literature, very little is known about Cervantes' early life. Born in 1547, he had spent some of his young years in... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Ernest Hemingway's Madrid Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Madrid Introduction Walking Tour
Welcome鈥� to Madrid! A city where regal boulevards unfold like film reels, where iron balconies whisper old gossip, and where history has a flair for the dramatic. The Spanish capital is less a city, more a vast museum with a pulse, cradling centuries of European art, powdered baroque fa莽ades, and monuments that speak in old tongues if you listen close enough.
Madrid鈥檚 story begins long... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Madrid鈥檚 story begins long... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Souvenirs Shopping Tour
Shopping for souvenirs in Madrid is an exciting and delightful experience for anyone visiting the vibrant Spanish capital. Indeed, it would be a pity to leave Madrid without having explored its specialty shops and bringing home something truly original. With this in mind, we've compiled a list of must-visit locations where you can find souvenirs, which are unique to Madrid and make for... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Buen Retiro Park Walking Tour
Buen Retiro鈥攎eaning 鈥淧leasant Retreat鈥濃�攊s one of Madrid鈥檚 most beloved landmarks. Much like Central Park in New York or Hyde Park in London, this former royal escape has become the city鈥檚 most iconic green space, a peaceful oasis right in the heart of the Spanish capital.
Among its standout attractions is the Crystal Palace, a stunning 19th-century glass and iron structure that now... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Among its standout attractions is the Crystal Palace, a stunning 19th-century glass and iron structure that now... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
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