Puerta del Sol
Madrid
The Puerta del Sol is the heart of Madrid and the meeting place of the madrileños, as locals are called. Here you find the New Year's Eve clock and kilometre zero of Spain's roads.
A gate with a sun
Long ago Madrid was enclosed by walls. One of its gates opened at this spot. Legend says an image of the sun stood above the entrance. Others think the name comes from the gate facing east, where the sun rises.
The walls vanished centuries ago. Today the square is pedestrian, and it is where the madrileños, the people of Madrid, meet up.
The clock building
The red and white building was built between 1756 and 1768. The final design is by the French architect Jaime Marquet, chosen by Charles III.
In 1847 a government ministry moved in as well. Today it is the seat of the presidency of the Comunidad de Madrid.
On the little tower is the clock unveiled in 1866 by Isabella II. It was a gift to the city from the clockmaker José Rodríguez Losada.
New Year's Eve at Sol
On 31 December the square fills up for the twelve chimes of midnight. With each chime people eat a grape, for luck in the new year.
The tradition spread between the late 1800s and the early 1900s. Today the chimes are broadcast live on television all over Spain. In front of the doorway, on the ground, is the kilometre zero marker.
