Torre de Cristal

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Torre de Cristal (Glass Tower) by Cesar Pelli, 2008
Paseo de la Castellana
Madrid, September 2025

“The Torre de Cristal (Glass Tower) is a skyscraper in the Cuatro Torres Business Area (CTBA) in Madrid, Spain, completed in 2008. With a final height of 249 m (817 ft), it surpassed Torre Emperador as the tallest building in Spain, and is the fifth-tallest in the European Union. It was designed by Cesar Pelli and built by Dragados.” (Torre de Cristal, Wikipedia)

Caleido

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Caleido by Fenwick Iribarren Architects, 2021
Paseo de la Castellana
Madrid, September 2025

“Caleido is a 173-metre-tall (568 ft), 36-story skyscraper located in Madrid. It is popularly known as the Quinta Torre (Fifth Tower), as it stands near the other four skyscrapers of the Cuatro Torres Business Area (CTBA) complex along the Paseo de la Castellana. As of 2021, IE University is the main tenant. Construction began in April 2017 and the tower was formally completed on 19 October 2021. The original completion date was September 2020, but it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The building occupies the former site of the Centro Internacional de Convenciones de la Ciudad de Madrid. It is the fifth tallest building in Madrid and the seventh tallest in Spain. Caleido was designed by the architectural firms Fenwick Iribarren and Serrano-Suñer Arquitectura. The main contractor was OHL Desarrollos.” (Caleido, Wikipedia)

Simeón Sentado

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Simeón Sentado by Francisco Leiro, 2007
Paseo de la Castellana
Madrid, September 2025

“Simeon wanted to be alone to meditate, but he was so rigorous in his methods that he was expelled from the monastery. To escape the world, he went to the desert and there looked for a dry cistern, but curiosity was aroused, and his fame drew hundreds of people to visit him. He also visited the cave where he later took refuge. Fed up with everything, he had a three-meter-high column built, but it wasn't enough. He asked for another seven-meter one, but that wasn't enough either. Finally, he got one seventeen meters high, which he climbed. According to legend, he spent thirty-seven years there, until he died in 459. He was known as Simon the Stylite, and his memory is commemorated on January 5th. Luis Buñuel made a film about him, Simon of the Desert (1965), a cinema classic. Buñuel didn't let him die on the column, but that's another story. This is ‘Simeón sentado’ (Simon Seated), a bronze sculpture on a granite column by Francisco Leiro, installed in 2007 at the Cuatro Torres in Madrid. Leiro, who has other sculptures in which the biblical and the classical interact with modernity, wanted to see here a distracted attitude in Simeon, evoking the Hellenistic Thorn-Bearer, but also Rodin's thinker. I said distracted, but I could say relaxed: is good old Simeon meditating, or has he been distracted by the flight of a butterfly? No matter how high you climb, the world will always call you back. There, next to it, is the Torre Emperador Castellana, formerly Torre Espacio, with its two hundred and thirty meters of height (the fourth tallest building in Spain) and many people perched on it. Are they meditating? The tower is also famous for the fire that broke out there while it was still under construction, in September 2006. Will Simeon think of this when he sees people staring curiously at him from above?” (Simeón sentado, La Acequia)

Puerta de San Vicente

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Puerta de San Vicente
Glorieta de San Vicente
Madrid, September 2025

“The Puerta de San Vicente is a monumental gate located in the Glorieta de San Vicente in Madrid (Spain). Since 1995, it has occupied the space where the original door, designed by architect Francesco Sabatini, was located between 1775 and 1892. Throughout Madrid's history there have been several doors that have received the same name. In 1726, the Marquis of Vadillo, the town's mayor, commissioned Pedro de Ribera to build a monumental gate in the city's fence to replace a previous gate, which was in a dilapidated state and was called ‘del Parque’. The gate, which consisted of three arches, was decorated with a statue of San Vicente, which is why it was given that name, although it would also be known later as the gate of La Florida. It was demolished in 1770, due to the remodelling of the Cuesta de San Vicente (1767–1777), as part of the reorganisation of the western accesses to the Royal Palace and its connection with the Camino de El Pardo. Shortly afterwards, King Carlos III commissioned Francesco Sabatini to build a new gate to replace the previous one as the entrance to the city from the new Paseo de La Florida. The work was completed in 1775 and Sabatini placed an ornamental fountain next to it, popularly known as the Fuente de los Mascarones. The new gate was in its current location, closer to the river than the previous one. It consisted of an arch and two shutters (or portholes) and was built of granite and limestone from Colmenar de Oreja. The arch was decorated with two Doric columns on the outside and two pilasters, also Doric, on the inside. It was crowned by a triangular frontispiece finished with a military trophy. The lateral shutters were also crowned by military trophies. In front of it there were two buildings that also disappeared: the aforementioned Mascarones fountain, between 1775 and 1871, and the Washerwomen's Asylum promoted by María Victoria dal Pozzo, from 1872 to 1938.” (Puerta de San Vicente, Wikipedia)

El Oso y el Madroño

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“El Oso y el Madroño” by Antonio Navarro Santafé, 1967
Puerta del Sol
Madrid, September 2025

“The Statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree (Spanish: El Oso y el Madroño) is a sculpture from the second half of the 20th century, situated in the Spanish capital, Madrid. It represents the coat of arms of Madrid and is found on the east side of the Puerta del Sol, between Calle de Alcalá and Carrera de San Jerónimo, in the historical centre of the capital. The statue is a work of the sculptor Antonio Navarro Santafé (1906-1983) and it was inaugurated on 19 January 1967. It was promoted by the section of Culture of the City council of Madrid, which wanted to represent the main heraldic symbols of the city in a monument. The first appearance of a wild bear and a strawberry tree on the coat of arms of the city was in the 13th century. Previously, it only incorporated a bear in passant attitude, until it was replaced in the aforementioned century by the two current figures. With this change, they wanted to symbolise the resolution adopted by the municipality and the Chapter of Priests and Beneficiaries after a long litigation about the control of Madrilenian pastures and trees. Since this agreement, the former became property of the Chapter and the latter of the council. From here they modified the arms, including a strawberry tree and of a bear in a new posture: leaning on the tree with both paws. The sculpture has always been in the Puerta del Sol, but in two locations inside the square. Before 1986, it was situated in the east side of it, in the vicinity of the building between the Calle de Alcalá and the Carrera St. Jerónimo. That year, it was moved to the front of Carmen Street for the square's reform and remodeling, promoted by mayor Enrique Tierno Galván. In September 2009, with the integral renewal of the square promoted by Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón, it has gone back to its original location.” (Statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, Wikipedia)

Museo de América

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Museo de América (Museum of America)
Avenida de los Reyes Católicos
Madrid, September 2022

“The Museo de América (Museum of America) is a Spanish national museum of arts, archaeology and ethnography in Madrid. Its collections cover the whole of the Americas and range from the Paleolithic period to the present day. It is owned by the Spanish State and its initial pieces came from the former collection of American archaeological and ethnographic artifacts from the National Archaeological Museum, also exhibiting a number of unrelated donations, deposits and purchases. The institution was founded via a decree from 19 April 1941 and opened in 1944 inside the building hosting the National Archaeological Museum. After all the initial pieces were moved to a newly built premises in the Ciudad Universitaria, the building was thus inaugurated on 12 October 1965. After a series of refurbishment works on the building (previously shared with a number of unrelated institutions), the museum was reopened on 12 October 1994, this time while holding the exclusivity on the use of the building. As part of preparation for the re-opening, a collecting programme was established, with Dominican and Haitian artefacts sourced by the anthropologist Soraya Aracena.” (Museo de América, Wikipedia)

Faro de Moncloa

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Faro de Moncloa (Moncloa's Lighthouse)
Avenida de la Memoria
Madrid, September 2022

“As the expression goes From Madrid to Heaven, because once you've been to Madrid the only place that can top it is paradise itself. Enjoy the city from up high, taking in the wonderful views the Faro de Moncloa affords. Step into the panoramic lift that takes you up 92 metres to the observation deck which stands tall over the heart of Madrid's Ciudad Universitaria. This former transmission tower was built by architect Salvador Pérez Arroyo in 1992, the year in which the city was named European Capital of Culture, and stands at 110 metres tall.” (Faro de Moncloa, Turismo Madrid)

Torre Mahou

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Edificio Alfredo Mahou (Alfredo Mahou Building), 1990
Plaza Manuel Gómez Moreno
Madrid, September 2022

“Edificio Alfredo Mahou (Alfredo Mahou Building), also known as Torre Mahou (Mahou Tower) is a skyscraper in the AZCA Complex, Madrid, Spain. It is the 17th tallest building in Madrid, at 85 metres. It has 29 floors and its facade is crystal blue and purple. Was completed in 1990, the building houses offices and various companies.” (Torre Mahou, Wikipedia)

El beso multicolor

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“El beso multicolor” (The Multicolour Kiss) by Okuda San Miguel, 2021
Calle de Eugenio Caxes
Madrid, September 2022

“One of the most iconic examples of Madrid street art is the mural by Okuda located near the Plaza Río 2 shopping center, created to coincide with the famous Madrid Pride festivities. Okuda San Miguel, who is known for his use of vibrant colors and geometric patterns, has once again brought their signature style to life with this breathtaking piece. The mural features two women from different cultural backgrounds embracing in a passionate kiss, a powerful image that speaks to the diversity and inclusivity of the city. The artist’s intention was to capture the essence of Madrid’s multiculturalism and the importance of free love and acceptance in today’s society. The mural is located on the side of a building, and its sheer size and vivid colors make it impossible to miss. It is one of the most impressive examples of Madrid street art and has become a popular destination for street art enthusiasts and tourists alike, who come to admire the intricacy and beauty of the mural.” (Madrid Street Art, Madrid Traveling)

Puente Cáscara del Matadero

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Puente Cáscara del Matadero (Matadero Shell Bridge), 2008
Avenida del Manzanares
Madrid, September 2022

“In Madrid, Hugo Corres Peiretti designed the Matadero Bridge in 2011, which was a pedestrian bridge whose deck is suspended to a sinclastic shell (a concrete canopy that covers the bridge) by several hangers.” (Curved footbridges supported by a shell, ScienceDirect)

Casa del Lector

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Casa del Lector
Paseo de la Chopera
Matadero Madrid
Madrid, September 2022

“Opened in 2012, this International Centre for Research, Development and the Dissemination of Reading run by the Germán Sánchez Ruipérez Foundation is known as the Casa del Lector (Reading House). Located inside Matadero Madrid, this cultural space makes readers and reading the key feature. With a surface area of eight thousand square metres, the Casa del Lector occupies warehouses 13 and 14, the connecting space between them, warehouse 17b and three passages of warehouse 17c at Matadero. Activities such as exhibitions, talks, book presentations, training courses, creative workshops, music cycles, cinema and dramatic art also take place here. Children are very important for the Casa del Lector, which has created a space in which workshops are held to introduce them to reading.” (Casa del Lector, Welcome to Madrid)

Julia

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“Julia” by Jaume Plensa, 2018
Plaza de Colón
Madrid, September 2022

“The 12-metre sculpture by Jaume Plensa, called Julia, came to the Plaza de Colón in December 2018. The famous sculptor's work, with the sponsorship of the María Cristina Masaveu Peterson Foundation and the collaboration of Madrid City Council, rests on the pedestal that used to be occupied by the statue of the Genoese navigator and will initially remain there until 20 December 2023. Made from polyester resin and white marble dust, Julia is the first sculpture of this kind by Plensa to be shown in Spain. The choice is meant to lead to the development of similar projects in the future. In the words of the artist himself,– ‘Julia is conceived of as a work to inspire personal, intimate, reflection in the hectic rhythm of the public space.’ Born in Barcelona in 1955, Jaume Plensa studied at Escola de la Llotja and the Reial Acadèmia Catalana de Belles Arts de Sant Jordi. The internationally renowned winner of the Velázquez Prize for Visual Arts in 2013 held his first exhibition in Barcelona in 1980. Since then, he’s lived and shown his work in Germany, Belgium, England, France and USA. Now he’s back in Barcelona. In his sculptures, Plensa works with materials, ideas and emotions, as well as with references to literature and poetry, music, or the history of thought.” (Julia, Madrid)

Fuente del Ángel Caído

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Fuente del Ángel Caído (Fountain of the Fallen Angel) by Ricardo Bellver, 1877
Parque del Buen Retiro
Madrid, September 2022

“The Fuente del Ángel Caído (Fountain of the Fallen Angel or Monument of the Fallen Angel) is a fountain located in the Buen Retiro Park in Madrid, Spain. The statue that crowns the monument is the masterpiece of Ricardo Bellver who realized it in plaster in 1877 while a 3rd year pensioner in Rome, inspired by verses from Paradise Lost of John Milton (Canto I). He submitted it to the 1877 edition of the Exposiciones Nacionales de Bellas Artes where it received the first prize. The state acquired the work and presented it to the 1878 Exposition Universelle. Since only works in marble and bronze were accepted, the statue was cast in bronze at this occasion and the plaster original destroyed. The statue returned to Spain in what was then the Museo Nacional de Pintura y Escultura (also known as the Museo de la Trinidad, now part of the Museo del Prado). The director of the museum, Benito Soriano Murillo, proposed its relocation in the open space so that the public could freely enjoy this peculiar and unusual creation. The statue was passed to the city hall that placed it on the spot of its present location which was formerly occupied by the Real Fábrica de Porcelanas de la China before its destruction during the French invasion in 1813, at the intersection of the paseo de Cuba, the paseo de Uruguay and the paseo del Duque de Fernán Nuñez in the Retiro park. The duque de Fernán Nuñez (probably Manuel Falcó y d´Adda y Valcárcel, the husband of the III Duquesa de Fernán Núñez) sponsored the monument. The architect Francisco Jareño was charged to design the pedestal, that is octagonal with figures of devils on each side gripping fishes, lizards and snakes, and placed at the center of a fountain of 10 meters diameter, itself surrounded by a parterre. The inauguration was made by the Queen consort of Spain Maria Christina of Austria in 1885. The monument is 7 meters high (the statue itself is 2.65 meters) and lies at the center of a roundabout named after the statue, that also gives its name to an entrance of the park.” (Fuente del Ángel Caído, Wikipedia)

Ermita de la Virgen del Puerto

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Ermita de la Virgen del Puerto (Hermitage of Virgen del Puerto)
Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto
Madrid, September 2022

“The Hermitage of Virgen del Puerto (Spanish: Ermita de la Virgen del Puerto) is a hermitage located in Madrid, Spain. It was declared Bien de Interés Cultural in 1946.” (Hermitage of Virgen del Puerto, Wikipedia)

Templo de Debod

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Templo de Debod (Temple of Debod)
Parque de la Montaña
Calle de Irún
Madrid, September 2022

“The Temple of Debod (Templo de Debod) is an ancient Egyptian temple that was dismantled as part of the International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia and rebuilt in the center of Madrid, Spain, in Parque de la Montaña, Madrid, a square located Calle de Irún, 21–25 Madrid. The shrine was originally erected 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) south of Aswan in Nubia, very close to the first cataract of the Nile and to the great religious centre in Philae dedicated to the goddess Isis. In the early 2nd century BC, Adikhalamani (Tabriqo), the Kushite king of Meroë, started its construction by building a small single-room chapel dedicated to the god Amun. It was built and decorated in a similar design to the later Meroitic chapel on which the Temple of Dakka is based. Later, during the reigns of Ptolemy VI, Ptolemy VIII, and Ptolemy XII of the Ptolemaic dynasty, it was extended on all four sides to form a small temple, 12 by 15 metres (39 ft × 49 ft), which was dedicated to Isis of Philae. The Roman emperors Augustus and Tiberius completed its decorations. From the quay, there is a long processional way leading to the stone-built enclosure wall, through three stone pylon gateways, and finally to the temple itself. The pronaos, which had four columns with composite capitals, collapsed in 1868 and is now lost. Behind it lay the original sanctuary of Amun, the offering table room and a later sanctuary with several side-rooms and stairs to the roof.” (Temple of Debod, Wikipedia)

Felipe III de España

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Equestrian statue of King Philip III by Jean Boulogne and Pietro Tacca, 1616
Plaza Mayor
Madrid, September 2022

“There is a bronze statue of King Philip III at the center of the square, created in 1616 by Jean Boulogne and Pietro Tacca. Giambologna's equestrian statue of Philip III dates to 1616, but it was not placed in the center of the square until 1848. The statue was a gift from the Duke of Florence at that time. It was Queen Isabel II ordered to move it from Casa de Campo to become the centerpiece of the Plaza Mayor.” (Plaza Mayor, Wikipedia)

Monumento a Francisco de Goya

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Monumento to Francisco de Goya by Mariano Benlliure, 1902
Calle de Felipe IV
Madrid, September 2022

Monumento a Velázquez

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Statue of Velázquez by Aniceto Marinas, 1899
Paseo del Prado
Madrid, September 2022

“Velázquez or the Statue of Velázquez is an instance of public art in Madrid, Spain. Located in front of the main gate of the Prado Museum, it is dedicated to Diego de Velázquez. The statue was an idea of the Círculo de Bellas Artes. The statue was cast at Masriera & Campins' foundry in Barcelona, using bronze gifted by the Spanish State. Modelled by Aniceto Marinas, the statue features a seated Velázquez, with his palette and brush at rest. The Velázquez's hand gesture imitates that of the painter's self-portrait in Las Meninas.” (Statue of Velázquez, Wikipedia)

Carlos III de España

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Equestrian statue of King Carlos III, by Miguel Ángel Rodríguez and Eduardo Zancada, 1994
(replica of a 18th century smaller statue by Juan Pascual de Mena)
Puerta del Sol
Madrid, September 2022

“Charles III (Carlos Sebastián de Borbón y Farnesio; 20 January 1716 – 14 December 1788) was King of Spain (1759–1788). He also was Duke of Parma and Piacenza, as Charles I (1731–1735); King of Naples, as Charles VII, and King of Sicily, as Charles V (1734–1759). He was the fifth son of Philip V of Spain and the eldest son of Philip's second wife, Elisabeth Farnese. He was a proponent of enlightened absolutism and regalism.” (Charles III of Spain, Wikipedia)

Monumento a Felipe IV

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Equestrian statue of King Felipe IV of Spain by Pietro Tacca
Plaza de Oriente
Madrid, September 2022

“The Monument to Felipe IV or Fountain of Felipe IV is a memorial to Felipe IV in the centre of Plaza de Oriente in Madrid, Spain. It was raised at the insistence of the portugueses in the first half of the 19th century, opening on 17 November 1843. However, its equestrian statue of the king dates to the 17th century and was produced by the Italian sculptor Pietro Tacca. It was begun in 1634 and shipped to Madrid in 1640, the year of his death. The sculpture, atop a complicated fountain composition, forms the centerpiece of the façade of the Royal Palace. The statue was based in drawings by Diego Velázquez and a bust by Juan Martínez Montañés (who also collaborated on the work). The daring stability of the statue was calculated by Galileo Galilei: the horse rears, and the entire weight of the sculpture balances on the two rear legs—and, discreetly, its tail— a feat that had never been attempted in a figure on a heroic scale, of which Leonardo had dreamed.” (Monument to Philip IV of Spain, Wikipedia)