Plaza Mayor sits at the heart of Madrid. The square has had a front row seat to Spain’s history. Plaza Mayor, originally Plaza del Arrabal, was created to be a marketplace in the 15th century. Under the reign of Phillip II in the 17th century, the square became a civic space. Since then, Plaza Square has been used for royal ceremonies, executions, bullfights, markets, festivals, parades, and trials during the Spanish Inquisition. Fires occurred in 1631, 1672, and 1790 destroyed many of the buildings, but they were rebuilt after each disaster. Today, the square is used as a gathering place, performance area, and restaurants.
