Madrid Summary and Analysis

The Puerta del Sol is a intimate plaza that is shaped like a half circle with ten streets that debouch into it. Puerta del Sol means the Sun's door and is the spirit of Madrid. The Plaza Mayor is the main square in Madrid. It is absolutely beautiful with massive buildings and stone arcades. An equestrian statue stands in the middle that summarizes the history of the plaza. The Plaza is directly linked to Spain's most unfortunate king, Carlos II, or el Hechizado (the bewitched), as he was called by the people. He used the Plaza to hold inquisition trials and sentencing. He was the last member of the Spanish Habsburgs and had inherited all of their weaknesses, suffering severely from mental disorder. When he died, the Borbon rulers took the Spanish throne. The Plaza Mayor has since lost its vigor...