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Plaza de Oriente. Picture By Pazit Polak.

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Plaza de Oriente

The Plaza de Oriente is a square in Madrid’s historic center. It was designed in 1844 by Narciso Pascual y Colomer and is rectangular in shape and monumental in character.

King Joseph,  promoted the square by ordering the demolition of the medieval houses on the site.

It is situated between three major landmarks in Madrid: the Royal Palace to the west, the Teatro Real (“Royal Theater”) to the east, and the Royal Monastery of the Incarnation to the north.

The plaza has interesting facts that are discussed in this article;

1. Plaza de Oriente was designed by Pascual y Colomer

Pascual y Colomer. By CarlosVdeHabsburgo.

Pascual y Colomer designed Madrid’s Plaza de Oriente during Queen Isabella II’s reign in 1844.

The six symmetrical blocks were reduced to two. One on each side of the theatre, with the space occupied by the other four blocks, converted into gardens.

As a result, we can now enjoy the Plaza de Oriente Gardens (in the center) and the Lepanto and Cabo Noval Gardens (on both sides), which are separated by twenty limestone statues of former Spanish kings.

2. A bronze equestrian statue of Felipe IV IS Found in the plaza

One of the main sculptures in the square is a bronze equestrian statue of Felipe IV, which was the first in the world to stand on its two hind legs. To accomplish this, the sculptor (who also used Velázquez’s portraits of the king) received assistance from Galileo.

This is part of a sculpture collection that also includes twenty limestone Spanish kings that were created as decoration for the Royal Palace but were eventually kept on display in the Plaza de Oriente.

The central gardens, which were designed in 1941, are laid out in a grid pattern. Creating an attractive ornamental garden with floral gardens, hedges, and cypress trees. In addition, two leafy gardens, the Cabo Noval gardens, and the Lepanto gardens can be found on the square’s outskirts.

3. The plaza is the largest palace in Western Europe

Artist at Felipe IV statue at Plaza de Oriente in Madrid. by Tim Adams.

The Palacio Real Madrid, also known as the Royal Palace of Madrid, is Western Europe’s largest palace and the official residence of the Spanish Monarchy.

The palace as we know it today was built in the 18th century on the pillars of the Royal Alcázar of Madrid by the Bourbon dynasty with the taste and aesthetics of the time.

Aside from the expansive gardens, the palace is also known for its lavish furniture, collection of the Stradivarius Royal Quartet, unrivaled bronze collection, mesmerizing frescoes on the high ceilings, and luxury only the Spanish monarchs could enjoy.

4.  Italian sculptor Pietro Tacca set the statutes in the Plaza

A massive statue of King Felipe IV astride a horse, modeled after a Velázquez painting, takes center stage. Pietro Tacca, an Italian sculptor, created the statue in 1639. It was the first successful attempt at making a prancing horse statue.

Galileo was in charge of the stability calculations and advised Petro Tacca to make the horse’s rear section of the massive bronze and the rest hollow to prevent it from falling over.

The statue was placed in the gardens of the Buen Retiro Palace, which is now known as Parque del Retiro. It was moved to the Plaza de Oriente in 1843 and placed on a large fountain decorated with statues of lions and allegorical figures.

5. Franco’s Death anniversary is celebrated in the square 

During Franco’s dictatorship (1939-1975), this square became a focal point for those who supported Franco’s regime.

Franco delivered his famous speeches in front of thousands of people from the balcony of the Royal Palace.

Even today, on the 20th anniversary of Franco’s death (November 20th), dozens of people gather in his honor at Plaza de Oriente Square.

6. The site is a tourist attraction center

Tourists in Plaza de Oriente. By FouPic.

The jewel in the crown, without a doubt, is the monument to King Philip IV. This 1640 sculpture is thought to be the first equestrian statue in which the horse stands on its hind legs.

The sculptors needed the assistance of Galileo Galilei to calculate the equilibrium point due to the project’s complexity.

Today, this square is frequented by tourists, street performers, and “madrileos” who come to read or take a walk in one of Madrid’s most beautiful areas.

7. The plaza is boarded by white limestone of Gostric Kings Statues

The central grounds of the Central Gardens are bordered by white limestone statues of ancient Spanish Kings known as the Gothic Kings Statues. On closer inspection, the Gothic kings’ statues appear to be of poor quality.

The eyes are poorly carved, and much of the fine detail is missing. It is surprising given that the grounds of the statues were not intended to replace the roof. The palace is entirely built of stone and bricks.

The added weight of the statues was feared to be too much for the palace’s lower walls, so they were removed from the final design and placed on the palace grounds.

8. Several buildings were demolished to give space for plaza construction

The Plaza de Oriente’s history can be traced back to King Jose I, also known as Joseph Bonaparte, who was installed as King by his brother, Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, during the war.

His ambition was to create a new square and a long boulevard that would extend all the way to the Plaza de Cibeles on the east side of the Royal Palace. Several buildings were demolished as a result of the project’s construction, including the Royal Library, churches, and several residential dwellings.

Construction of the new plaza was unofficially halted after the French were expelled from Spain. King Ferdinand VII decided to resurrect the project and came up with the idea of building a theater adjacent to the square.

However, funding was limited and progress was slow. The square and the new Royal Theater were not completed until the mid-1850s, during the reign of Queen Isabel II.

9. Artists perform along the main Boulevard

At Teatro Real, you can see ballet, classical music, and opera performances. If you can’t make it to a show, take a guided tour to learn about its history. Watch rehearsals, and visit dressing rooms and technical areas. Outside the theater, restaurants with outdoor seating areas offer plaza views and delicious tapas.

The ostentatious and 3,418-room Royal Palace of Madrid runs along the plaza’s western edge. It was once the official residence of Spain’s royal family, but it is now used for official events. Take a guided tour of the 50 rooms, some of which are decorated with Francisco Goya paintings.

Take the metro to the Pera station to get to Plaza de Oriente. It’s only a 10-minute walk from Plaza Mayor. The official websites of the Royal Palace and Teatro Real provide information about tours and events at the attractions.

10. There are many terraces to relax near the Oriente

People relax in Plaza de Oriente. Picture by Zarateman

Without a doubt! Plaza de Oriente is an excellent place to sit, relax, and watch the sunset from one of the many terraces near the Royal Theatre. The most well-known terraces are Café de Oriente and La Esquina del Real.

These are not the cheapest places to drink in Madrid, but they are more stylish and, in our opinion, provide a better experience! This Madrid neighborhood is charming.

We recommend walking from Plaza de Oriente to the Debod Temple for spectacular views of the Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, and the Casa de Campo forest. The location is convenient to the Plaza de Oriente and the Royal Palace.

They are also close to the Plaza de Oriente and the Royal Palace, making them an excellent choice for a stay in Madrid. Our top hotel picks near the Royal Palace can be found here.