Seen from above, the uniform arcades and tiled rooftops of Plaza Mayor in Madrid—the capital of Spain—create a captivating architectural harmony. Once the site of a bustling market square known as the Plaza del Arrabal, this historic space has witnessed the city"s transformation over the centuries. The shift began in 1561, when the plaza came under Madrid"s jurisdiction after the royal court moved from Toledo. Inspired by a vision of order and grandeur, King Philip II reimagined the square—though construction did not actually begin until 1617, under the reign of Philip III.
Aerial view of Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
-
European river otter
-
Asteroid Day
-
Grizzly bears, Katmai National Park and Preserve, United States
-
Eurasian lynx
-
African elephants in Namibia
-
Greater flamingos, Lüderitz, Namibia
-
Blue-throated toucanet, Los Quetzales National Park, Costa Rica
-
Chinese New Year
-
An old bridge in a new light
-
International Day for Biological Diversity
-
Manatee in Crystal River, Florida, United States
-
Murudeshwara Temple, Murdeshwar, Karnataka
-
International Womens Day
-
Birthplace of the Renaissance
-
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
-
Black-winged stilts, France
-
‘Moravian Tuscany’
-
Prayer flags in Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan
-
Spotted eagle rays
-
World Meteorological Day
-
Telašćica Nature Park, Dugi Otok, Croatia
-
An architectural wonder in Rajasthan
-
Moose, Denali National Park, Alaska, United States
-
Lake Bled, Slovenia
-
Old Rock Day
-
World Water Day
-
Van Mahotsav
-
Castle Square, Old Town, Warsaw, Poland
-
Glenariff Forest Park, Northern Ireland, UK
-
Coral Reef Awareness Week
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

