Aerial view of Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain 29 Aug 2025

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.

© AirPano LLC/Amazing Aerial Agency

palette

Today in History

Aug 28, 2023Dubrovnik, Croatia
It’s party time
29 Aug 2024Castellfollit de la Roca, Catalonia, Spain

More Desktop Wallpapers:

22 Dec 2023December solstice
23 Aug 2024Prasat Phanom Rung temple ruins, Thailand
Sep 11, 2023Patriot Day
20 Sep 2024Ocracoke Lighthouse on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, USA
9 Oct 2023Edinburgh cityscape and St Marys Cathedral steeples
16 Nov 2024Wadden Sea coast, Friesland, Netherlands
A puzzle for giants
Staying in the loop
24 Apr 2024The white trilliums in Ontario, Canada
29 Jul 2024Tiger siblings in Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand, India
Grand slam tournament
26 Apr 2024Tree of Life, Olympic National Park, Washington, USA
Heavenly hot springs
15 Jun 2024Trooping the Colour
13 Dec 2024Christmas market, St Stephens Basilica, Budapest, Hungary
4 Sep 2025Grizzly bears, Katmai National Park and Preserve, United States
Nap your worries away
A right royal tradition
19 May 2025Mount Hamilton, San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States
Stretching to the sky
2 Nov 2023Death Valley National Park, California, USA
14 Feb 2025Happy Valentines Day!
7 Jun 2025Victoria Street in Edinburgh, Scotland
2 Apr 2025Sandstone formations in the badlands near Caineville, Utah, United States
Halfway there
From victory to festivity
Turquoise delight
4 Feb 2025Golden Bridge, Bà Nà Hills, Da Nang, Vietnam
A touch of magic
26 Aug 2025Trullo buildings in Alberobello, Apulia, Italy