Fountain of Cybele at Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid, Spain with Cybele Palace in the background. Photo by
Ank Kumar Wikimedia

Top 10 Intriguing Facts about Plaza de Cibeles

The Plaza de Cibeles is a square in Madrid that is home to a neo-classical complex of marble sculptures and fountains. It is situated at the crossroads of Paseo del Prado, Calle de Alcalá, and Paseo de Recoletos. Calle de Alcalá runs from east to west (to the south). The Plaza de Cibeles was formerly known as Plaza de Madrid, but the City Council changed its name to Plaza de Castelar in 1900, which was then replaced by the plaza’s current name.

Four notable structures currently serve as its boundaries: the Bank of Spain Building, Palacio de Buenavista, Palace of Linares (or “Palacio de Linares”), and the Cybele Palace (“Palacio de Cibeles”). Centro, Retiro, and Salamanca are three nearby districts that each have four different neighborhoods where these buildings are situated.

Cybele Palace and her fountain have evolved through time into city symbols.

Get to check out some of the private tours in Madrid offered by Discoverwalks Here

Here are the Top 10 Intriguing Facts about Plaza de Cibeles

1. Plaza de Cibeles shelters the Cybelle Fountain Monument

Fountain of Cybele at Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid, Spain with Cybele Palace in the background. Photo by
Ank Kumar Wikimedia

The fountain Cybele, which bears the name of the Phrygian goddess of the same name, is one of Madrid’s most important emblems. It can be found in the plaza’s middle. The fountain, designed by Spanish architect and artist Ventura Rodriguez, was erected between 1777 and 1782 under King Charles III of England.

The fountain represents Cybele, a Greek deity depicted astride two lions. Before being moved to its current location in the late 19th century, the fountain was previously installed in front of the Buenavista Palace. When Real Madrid wins, their football team and fans congregate in the plaza to celebrate. A big feature of their celebrations is the fountain. The Cybele monument has a Real Madrid flag wrapped around it.

2. It has been  home to the most iconic Cybelle Palace 

In this square is situated the Cibeles Palace, which today houses the City Hall. This majestic building is Madrid’s most recognizable palace. It had formerly been referred to as the Palace of Communication. The main office of the Spanish postal service was located at the 1919-completed Palacio de Comunicaciones until 2007 when the Madrid City Council moved in.

It also houses CentroCentro, a cultural facility with an exhibition hall, an auditorium, and a viewing platform that provides outstanding panoramic views of Madrid. The Glass Gallery is a public space that was created as an events venue and has a stunning glass vault. A bar and restaurant are located on the rooftop terrace of The Palace. Despite being less attractive than the Circulo de Bellas Artes, it offers breathtaking vistas over Madrid.

3. Plaza de Cibeles has been considered one of the most Madrid’s busiest, most popular, and most picturesque squares

Fountain of Cybele at Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid, Spain with Cybele Palace in the background. Photo by
Ank Kumar Wikimedia

The Cibeles Fountain and Palace are among the most iconic structures in this lively, well-known, and stunning square in Madrid. Any journey to the city should include a stop here.

Madrid’s emblem, the Cibeles fountain, is located in the center of the square. Ventura Rodriguez created this sculpture in 1777. It depicts a goddess of nature and the town’s guardian. The fact that Real Madrid football supporters congregate around this monument to commemorate their team’s significant triumphs is an intriguing fact.

4. The Palacio de Buenavista building has been located in one of the corners of the square

On a landscaped cliff in the Plaza de la Cibeles in Madrid, Spain, there is a building called the Buenavista Palace that is encircled by fencing. The first palace was built in the 16th century on the royal domain known as Altillo de Buenavista (hence the name). When Felipe II decided to move the court and make Madrid the official capital, Gaspar de Quiroga, the archbishop of Toledo at the time, gave the king the domain.

5. Also the Palacio de Buenavista which has been located in  Plaza de Cibeles houses museum paintings that are in the era of 1810


Engraving ‘Aguadores in the fountain of the goddess Cibeles, in the Paseo del Prado in Madrid (ca. 1800). Photo by Unknown Author Wikimedia

King José Bonaparte ordered the establishment of a painting museum in August 1810, and it is now housed in the Palacio de Buenavista. It is assumed that this was done with the Josefino Museum in mind. Nevertheless, after Bonaparte left Spain (1813) and a different building was chosen to house the current Prado Museum, the Buenavista Palace was finally surrendered to the Army in 1816.

6. The Banks of Spain which has been located in  the southwest corner of the square was constructed in 1884

The Spanish National Bank’s headquarters are housed in a large building that spans a whole block. In order to officially start construction on the structure, King Alfonso XII laid the first stone in 1884. Severiano Sainz de la Lastra and Eduardo de Adaro, the Bank’s own architects, designed the building. The place had once been the palace of the Marquis of Alcaics, which had been destroyed. In 1891, the new building for the Bank was consecrated.

7. Plaza de Cibele building has a Library that has a collection of more  than 350000 papers, magazines, and books 

A fantastic library and study room are also located in this part of the structure. Its impressive library contains more than 350,000 papers, books, and magazines on finance and the economy. Cards and temporary cards are issued so that legitimate researchers may use the library’s resources. Except for August, when it is open from 8.30 am to 2 pm on weekdays, the library is open from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.

The building also houses significant works of art by Goya, Sorolla, Mengs, and Maella. However, a reservation is required in order to enter the inside of the structure and the artwork.

8. It has been the location of Palacia de Linares Edifice

It was built on the Marquis de Linares’ order and completed in 1900. Itwas later renovated and is currently known as Casa de América, a building devoted to strengthening cultural relations between Latin America and Spain. The first Marquis de Linares and their daughter, who was supposedly murdered by her parents, are both claimed to haunt the castle, according to mythology.

9. Plaza de Cibeles was constructed  at the end of the 18th Century

Fountain of Cybele at Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid, Spain with Cybele Palace in the background. Photo by
Ank Kumar Wikimedia

Near the close of the 18th century, King Carlos III authorized the construction of this fountain, which serves as Madrid’s most important symbol. Ventura Rodriguez, an architect, designed it.

10. The original name of Plaza de Madrid is now Plaza de Cibeles

The Plaza de Cibeles which has been a square in Madrid that is home to a neo-classical complex of marble sculptures and fountains. It is situated at the crossroads of Paseo del Prado, Calle de Alcalá, and Paseo de Recoletos. Calle de Alcalá runs from east to west (to the south). The Plaza de Cibeles was formerly known as Plaza de Madrid, but the City Council changed its name to Plaza de Castelar in 1900, which was then replaced by the plaza’s current name.The City Council originally referred to it as Plaza de Castelar, but it was later renamed to its current name.

Related article

20 Famous places to visit in Spain

10 Most popular Icons and Landmarks to visit in Spain