Plaza de Colón (Madrid) Photo by Zarateman Wikimedia

Top 10 Incredible Facts about Plaza Colon


 

The intersection of Madrid’s Chamber, Centro, and Salamanca neighborhoods is where you’ll find Plaza de Colón. Cristóbal Colón, the Spanish name of the explorer Christopher Columbus, is honored with this plaza and its fountain.

Discover walks offers  Free Tours in Madrid Spain Check out those tours and book with us  here

Here are the Top 10 Incredible Facts about Plaza Colon

1.  There is a Columbus Monument in Plaza Colon

Plaza Colón with statue of Christopher Columbus, Plaza Colón, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. Photo by
Todd Van Hoosear – Mayaguez, Puerto Rico Wikimedia

A statue of Christopher Columbus dominates the fountain in the center of the square, around which traffic circulates. The 3-meter-tall Neo-Gothic monument was made of white marble and created between the years 1881 to 1885. It is supported by a 17-meter-high pedestal. It was constructed by Jeronimo Sunol to honor the marriage of Alfonso XII and Maria de las Mercedes de Orleans.

2. A twin Tower high rise Columbus Tower has been located in Plaza Colon

A twin-tower high-rise office building in the Plaza de Colón is called The Columbus Towers, also known as Torres de Colón.

Between 1967 and 1976, the two majestic twin buildings were constructed in an innovative top-down manner. Construction of the building was overseen by architect Antonio Lamela. The building is the 12th tallest in the Spanish city and stands at 23 stories and 116 meters. Since they are connected by a structure, the twin buildings are known as “El Enchufe” or “The Plug” by the locals. At the moment, the towers are undergoing renovations.

3. The Spanish Flag is the biggest in the world covering 3164 sq ft

Plaza de Colón (Madrid) Photo by Zarateman Wikimedia

Since Spain’s National Day in 2001, a flagpole at Plaza de Colón has been flying the largest Spanish flag in the world, measuring 46 × 69 feet and covering 3164 square feet. It cost €378,000 to purchase the flag at first. In January 2016, an upgrade for €400,000 was made.

4. Plaza Colon has been home to the Gardens of Discovery 

This park, originally opened in 1970, is situated in Plaza de Colón, next to Calle Serrano, El Paseo de la Castellana, El Paseo de Recoletos, Calle Goya, the National Library, and the National Archaeological Museum, which are all a part of Madrid’s “Milla de Oro,” or “Golden Mile.”

The overall size of the park, which celebrates the discovery of America, is 1.87 hectares. Joaquin Vaquero Turcios erected a monument there to commemorate this historic event. Built on top of a reservoir, the monument is made up of three huge concrete columns that are embellished with inscriptions and reliefs describing the finding.

In 1977, it was constructed. There are several grassy and wooded sections throughout the Gardens of Discovery.

5. The Archaeological Museum in Plaza Colon houses various periods of World Art History and exhibits the majority of the world’s best collections

The National Archaeological Museum (MAN), home to one of the most important ancient collections in the world, reopened in 2014 following a comprehensive six-year makeover. Its displays span prehistory to the nineteenth century and contain artifacts and tools from Mediterranean cultures.

It is located in the heart of the Salamanca District and investigates several periods of world art history that the major museums along the nearby Art Walk do not cover, such as Greek pottery, Visigoth votive crowns, and Spanish Islamic ivory. The rich collection of this 1867-founded institution is currently on display thanks to a new museological strategy that gives the displays equal artistic and archaeological value and incorporates instructional panels, mockups, and replicas that guests can really touch.

Other rare pieces on display include a collection of Greek vases that specialists consider to be among the finest in the world, the Treasure of Guarrazar, a spectacular example of Visigoth goldsmithing, the ivory Pot from Zamora, and other priceless artifacts.

6. Discover the Lady of Elche

The Lady of Elche, once a polychrome stone bust discovered by chance in 1897 photo by Carole Raddato Wikimedia

The Lady of Elche remains among the wonders of the National Archaeological Museum. The impressively Greek-inspired proportions, harmony, and balance of the face set it apart from other Iberian classics. She wears a tunic that is a classic example of Iberian clothing, though, and her jewelry is obviously regional.

According to a recent theory put out by certain academics, the object was originally a sculpture of a seated woman that was later changed into a bust. The Lady of Elche, like many other sculptures from the period, has a hollow in the back that is considered to have been used to house artifacts. Some theories hold that she is a dead body or a queen, while others hold that she was a deity.

7. The cultural center Fernan Gomez Centro in plaza de Colon 

To get to the Centro Cultural de la Villa, there are stairs leading from the Plaza de Colon. It is positioned on the main art route in the city. The center’s four cultural spaces are the Guirau Hall, Jardiel Poncela Hall, Exhibition Hall, and Multi-purpose Hall. The company’s calendar of events features panel discussions, conferences, dance, music, theater, and kid-friendly exhibits.

The theater for large-scale plays, dance, and music series, and family-friendly performances is the Sala Guirau, which can accommodate 689 spectators. The building’s 2,000-square-meter exhibition hall hosts transient exhibits, most of which are educational and historical in nature. However, in recent years there have been more displays that focus on the performing arts.

8. The Sculpture of Jaume Plensa, Julia can be found in Plaza Colon

Julia, a sculpture by Jaume Plensa photo by Mickeno Wikimedia

Jaume Plensa’s Julia, a 12-meter-tall sculpture, was delivered to the Plaza de Colón in December 2018. The Madrid City council and  Mara Cristina Masaveu Peterson Foundation helped make it possible for the renowned sculptor’s work to stand where the Genoese navigator’s monument formerly did.  

Plensa’s sculpture Julia is created from polyester resin and white marble dust. It is the first exhibit of its kind to be seen in Spain. There, it is deployed momentarily until December 2022.

9. Platea Madrid Gourmet Food Hall can be found at Calle De Goya 5-7 on the square  

Platea Madrid is an upscale dining hall located on the Plaza de Colón in Madrid. There are roughly 380 employees at this historical cinema theater. The restaurant offers Mexican, Peruvian, Italian, and other Asian cuisines in addition to the works of Michelin-starred chefs Paco Roncero, Pepe Solla, and Marcos Morán.

10. Plaza Colon has been home to  Woman with Mirror Monument 

This amazing piece of street art is located at Plaza De Colon between two motorways and faces the massive buildings. Fernando Botero, a Columbian artist, designed the monument, which depicts a curvy woman lying down and adoring herself in a mirror. It’s definitely worth a look if you’re at Plaza De Colon.