Few places embody Madrid's vibrant spirit better than Plaza Mayor. Designed by Spanish architect Juan Gómez de Mora in 1619, the square is an ode to the Herrerian style known for its grandeur, though major restorations were made by Juan de Villanueva in the 18th Century. Celebrations for San Isidro, the city's patron saint kicked off the inauguration of the square and the plaza continued to be a venue for grand-scale public events during the Spanish Inquisition. The three-story buildings flanking the square are constructed in stone and feature 237 balconies that look out over the square and were once occupied by royals. Philip III's equestrian statue, made by master sculptor Giambologna, stands at the center of the square.
