Plaza de Cibeles

The Plaza de Cibeles is a square with a neo-classical complex of marble sculptures with fountains that has become an iconic symbol for the city of Madrid. It sits at the intersection of Calle de Alcalá , Paseo de Recoletos and Paseo del Prado . Plaza de Cibeles was originally named Plaza de Madrid, but in 1900, the City Council named it Plaza de Castelar, which was eventually replaced by its current name. The place where Plaza de Cibeles sits today used to form part of a wooded, longitudinal axis that, during the Renaissance, separated the urban section of Madrid from different monastic... and palace complexes. It consisted of three main sections, known as the Prado de los Recoletos Agustinos , the Prado de los Jerónimos and the Prado de Atocha. The first important reform of this axis was carried out by Phillip II in 1570. In the eighteenth century, during the reign of Charles III, a new renovation had begun. The fountain of Cibeles is found in the part of Madrid commonly called the Paseo de Recoletos.
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