It's one of the most beautiful places in the city. Coming from Puerta de Alcala you see Madrid raising in front of you, passing Plaza de Cibeles you see beautiful Gran Via. On the circle itself there is Fuente de Cibeles - white marble fountain with the goddess Cibeles sitting in the carriage with 2 lions.
On one side of there circle there is my favourite building in Madrid, Palacio de Comunicaciones.
Updated Oct 23, 2003
Address: Where Alcala street crosses Paseo del Prado
Plaza Cibeles is known for its fountain and the central post office. I was stunned to see so many people standing on one side of the roundabout taking pictures of the post office -and really taking pictures of lots of traffic and buses and so on. Its really a shame since the Correos is a very impressive building and it's worth being a bit more artistic about it....
Written Oct 1, 2003
Address: Where Alcala street crosses Paseo del Prado
Ok, Cibeles is not very impressive as a monument, but I will suggest you to start any interesting tour around Madrid there. It's located in the intersection of Gran Via with Paseo de Recoletos, that is, near all the biggest city museums (Prado, Thyssen, Reina Sofia).
In the same square you'll find the much more impressive "Palacio de las Comunicaciones " (Telecommunications Palace), which is not a church, as you may think by its shape, but instead the central offices for the Spanish Postal Service. In fact, when the building was finished in the beginning of the past century, it was given the nickname of "Church of the Telecommunications Virgin". ;-)
Updated Sep 22, 2003
Address: Where Alcala street crosses Paseo del Prado
Cibiles Square has the wonderful statue from the 18thC in the middle (its partner - Neptune - is near the Prado). But the background has the most beautiful post office building. Built in the early 20thC it is sometimes called 'Our Lady of the Communications'. To me it has some of the Moorish elements that Spain is strong in.
Written Aug 16, 2003
Address: Where Alcala street crosses Paseo del Prado
As you are in Cibeles Sqaure looking towards Puerta del Sol, the big building at your left with the golden sphere on its roof houses the main offices of the Banco de Espana (Bank of Spain).
You can visit it inside, here is where the money lives :-))
But you can admire its wonderful facade. In the main gate at the Alcala Street (neatr the entrance of the subway pass) you can see one of the few remaining republican badges in Madrid), at the top of the building. You will recognize it by the little castle on top of it. It was put there during the Civil War and never removed...
Updated Jun 18, 2003
Address: Where Alcala street crosses Paseo del Prado
The Plaza de Cibeles is a very busy roundabout with a fountain in the middle. At the south eastern side is the Palacio de Comunicaciones (1905-1917). This impressive building houses the General Post Office of Madrid.
Updated Jun 11, 2003
How do you tire of a place that's beautiful in every corner?
Updated Sep 9, 2011
Address: Where Alcala street crosses Paseo del Prado
Written Sep 6, 2010
Address: Where Alcala street crosses Paseo del Prado
Written Oct 15, 2007
Address: Where Alcala street crosses Paseo del Prado
Written Jul 19, 2007
Address: Where Alcala street crosses Paseo del Prado
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Where Alcala street crosses Paseo del Prado
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How do you tire of a place that's beautiful in every corner?
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