PLAZA DE LA CIBELES MADRID

There are three spots dear to the hearts of madrileños: the Puerta de Alcala arch; the statue of the bear and the madroño  in Puerto del Sol  and the Cibeles fountain in the roundabout that links the Paseo del Prado and the Paseo de Recoletos. Cybeles, the Greek goddess of fertility, sits in her chariot, which is drawn by two magnificent lions. The fountain itself was designed for Carlos III by Ventura Rodriguez in the 18th century, but these details are of little interest to Real Madrid football fans. They come here to celebrate their victories. Fans from rival Atletico de Madrid congregate at the next fountain to the south, with its statue of Neptune.