Madrid - Plaza de la Cibeles 
The Paseo del Prado begins at the Plaza de la Cibeles, which is dominated by the Palacio de Comunicaciones, the main post office in Madrid.
Going in a southerly direction we come to the Naval Ministry (1930), on the corner of the Calle de Montalbán, with the Museo Naval (Naval Museum), followed by the Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas, the museum of arts and crafts.
Today the Plaza de la Cibeles is one of the busiest traffic intersections in Madrid. It is the meeting-point of the Paseo del Prado, the Paseo de Recoletos and the Calle de Alcalá.
Going in a southerly direction we come to the Naval Ministry (1930), on the corner of the Calle de Montalbán, with the Museo Naval (Naval Museum), followed by the Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas, the museum of arts and crafts.
Today the Plaza de la Cibeles is one of the busiest traffic intersections in Madrid. It is the meeting-point of the Paseo del Prado, the Paseo de Recoletos and the Calle de Alcalá.
|
Must-see attractions nearby:
|
Related Attractions
Banco de España
Opposite the Palacio de Comunicaciones stands the Banco de España, Spain's national bank and the successor to the Bank of San Carlos founded under Charles III. It was built in 1884 by Eduard Adaro and Severiano Saínz de la Lastra in the style in vogue in France at the end of the last century. The building has subsequently been extended on several occasions. Inside the bank there are paintings by famous masters such as Goya, Sorolla, Mengs and Maella.
Hours
Always closed on:
Madrid Day - Spain (May 2)
Fountain of Cybele
The Fuente de Cibeles is one of the great landmarks of Madrid and the central feature of one of the city's most beautiful squares. On the fountain the Greek goddess of fertility and love sits on a chariot drawn by two lions. The fountain was designed by the architect Ventura Rodríguez and its execution completed by Francisco Gutiérrez and Robert Michel in 1782.
Originally the fountain stood at the beginning of the Recoletos, looking towards the Paseo del Prado. It was only later that it was turned round 90 degrees so that it faced the Calle de Alcalá.
Originally the fountain stood at the beginning of the Recoletos, looking towards the Paseo del Prado. It was only later that it was turned round 90 degrees so that it faced the Calle de Alcalá.
Main Post Office
The southeastern side of the Plaza de la Cibeles is dominated by the Palacio de Comunicaciones, the main post office, known by the people of Madrid as "Nuestra Señora de Correos" (Or lady of the post). It was built between 1905 and 1917 by Antonio Palacio and Julián Otamendi in a historicist monumental style.
Hours
Always closed on:
Madrid Day - Spain (May 2)
Read More
Palacio de Linares (Casa de América)
The northeastern side of the Plaza de la Cibeles is occupied by the Palacio de Linares. The palace was built in the 19th C. by Carlos Colubi.
Hours
Always closed on:
Madrid Day - Spain (May 2)
