PUERTA DEL SOL MADRID

Streets radiate in all directions from this oblong plaza, literally the Gateway to the Sun and one of the focal points of Madrid. Dominating all he surveys is Carlos III astride a horse and usually with a pigeon perched on his royal head. The words on the plinth are a paean of praise to the king, who is regarded as 'the best mayor of Madrid'. He looks across at the handsome Casa de Correos, the post office from To the right of the main entrance, a plaque honours the heroes of the 2 de mayo, the rebellion on 2 May 1808 against the French army that had occupied the capital. Set in the pavement in front of the Casa de Correos, another plaque marks Kilometre 0, the Origen de las Carre teras Radiales. This is the point from which all distances to and from Madrid are measured. Other statues in this busy square include La Mariblanca, next to the station, and the emblem of Madrid the famous oso (bear) standing on his hind legs and eating fruit from the madrono (madrona tree). Find it behind the Carlos III statue.