Seen from above, the uniform arcades and tiled rooftops of Plaza Mayor in Madrid—the capital of Spain—create a captivating architectural harmony. Once the site of a bustling market square known as the Plaza del Arrabal, this historic space has witnessed the city"s transformation over the centuries. The shift began in 1561, when the plaza came under Madrid"s jurisdiction after the royal court moved from Toledo. Inspired by a vision of order and grandeur, King Philip II reimagined the square—though construction did not actually begin until 1617, under the reign of Philip III.
Aerial view of Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
-
Take the Stairs Day
-
Breckenridge, Colorado
-
Royal Alcázar of Seville, Spain
-
World Theater Day
-
A day of death and rebirth
-
A keel-billed toucan in Costa Rica
-
Mossy Grotto Falls, Oregon
-
Rosa Parks Day
-
The 80th anniversary of D-Day
-
Feeling chic on Fashion Week
-
Sea fireflies at the seashore
-
Get on your bike and ride
-
Celebrating 30 years of eye-opening images
-
Happy Lunar New Year!
-
Fibonacci Day
-
Dalyan, Turkey
-
Yellowstone for the National Park Services birthday
-
Kirkilai lakes, Biržai Regional Park, Lithuania
-
Ayutthaya Historical Park, Thailand
-
Into the woods
-
Jazzed for Mardi Gras
-
La Brecha de Rolando (Rolands Breach), Spain
-
Antarctica Day
-
Happy Easter from the ‘peeps’ at Bing
-
Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
-
A festival of colors
-
International Tiger Day
-
The Grand Départ: Tour de France begins
-
World Turtle Day
-
Groundhog Day arrives—beyond a shadow of a doubt