Sabatini Gardens and Plaza de España: Fountains, Statues, and Don Quixote
Why is it significant?
Lean against the balustrade of the Sabatini Gardens and look down at the geometric maze of sculpted boxwood hedges reflecting in the tranquil waters of the central rectangular pool.
Key Facts
| Place | Sabatini Gardens and Plaza de España: Fountains, Statues, and Don Quixote |
|---|---|
| Address | Calle de Bailén 2, 28013 Madrid, Spain |
| Geo Coordinates | 40.42030, -3.71350 |
| Part of Walk | Heart of Madrid: Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, and Gran Vía |
| Generated | Generated |
Lean against the balustrade of the Sabatini Gardens and look down at the geometric maze of sculpted boxwood hedges reflecting in the tranquil waters of the central rectangular pool. Against the northern granite facade of the Royal Palace stand white marble statues of ancient Spanish kings, originally intended for the palace roofline but lowered when Queen Barbara of Braganza had a nightmare that they fell and crushed her.
Stroll northward into the vast green expanse of Plaza de España. In the center rises the towering stone obelisk monument to Miguel de Cervantes, with bronze statues of Don Quixote riding his scrawny horse Rocinante and faithful Sancho Panza on his donkey Dapple at his feet.
Looming behind are the Edificio España and Torre de Madrid, which in the nineteen fifties were among the tallest concrete skyscrapers in the world, embodying Spain's mid-century modernization.
Turn onto the bustling pavement where Madrid's legendary Broadway begins: the Gran Vía.