Plaza de Colón

Plaza de Colón is a very trafficated square in the northeast end of Madrid's city center, in the Alfonso Martínez district. The square is named after Christopher Columbus as a contribution to his meeting with America. There is a classic monument to contributing to Columbus in the middle of the traffic and a modern stone monument on the side, also for Columbus. The skyscraper Torres de Colón, a huge Spanish flag, a large branch of Hard Rock Café, a garden and the National Library can also be found around the square.

Next to the Columbus monument, beneath the flag, is Teatro Fernan Gomez Centro de Arte, is the city council's only purpose-built cultural centre.
It features a theatre, puppets, opera, Hispanic exhibitions and more.

Teatro Fernan Gomez Centro de Arte.

The National Library to the right. Until 1893 Plaza de Colón was called Plaza de Santiago.

Torres de Colón in 2011. In 2023, it is under reconstruction and recladding.

The large Spanish flag and the National Library.

The old Columbus monument from the 19th century. Columbus is pointing towards the west, towards America. A relief on the base shows how Queen Isabella sells her jewelries to get money for his journey.

Panorama of Plaza de Colón.

Biblioteca Nacional de Espana, The National Library of Spain. It was established in 1712.

Torres de Colón in 2011. A postmodern twin skyscraper, also contributing to Columbus. It is 116m high, has 23 floors and was built in 1976. In 2023, it is under reconstruction and recladding.

The postmodern copper roof resembled classic architecture, but has unfortunately been replaced by added floors in modernist style.

Torres de Colón. In 2023, it is under reconstruction and recladding. The original postmodern top will be removed and the towers will have more floors.

Torres de Colón in 2023.

Hard Rock Café has a large branch at Plaza de Colón.

A very large Spanish flag. The plaza has its own gardens, called the Gardens of Discovery.

"The Woman with the mirror", Plaza de Colon.

The new 3 stone Columbus monuments close to Calle de Serrano. Each of them symbols one of the 3 ships that made the trip in 1492.

A cool poster I saw on the square with the world's most famous skyscrapers mixed on one place.

The busy Paseo de la Castellana goes through Plaza de Colón all the way to the northern edge of Madrid. On the South part it changes name to Paseo de Recoletos. It goes all the way to Plaza de Cibeles.

SALAMANCA:

This is one of the most fashionable districts of Madrid, going Northwards from Plaza de Colón. The Retiro Park is near. In Salamanca you find luxury designer shops and the historic Gran Café de Gijon, where celebrities used to go.

Café Gijon is where Orson Wells and Mata Hari were regular guests. It has an antique interior. Unfortunately the toilets are in very bad condition.

Gran Café de Gijon.

Paseo de Recoletos.

Various from Salamanca.

The entrance to the Retiro Park (Parque de Retiro) that is close to Salamanca.