The Plaza Mayor, (The Old Square), is one of the most visited areas in the center of Madrid; just a minute's walk from Puerta del Sol, the plaza began as an Arab market and was known at the time of the 16th century as the Plaza del Arrabal. In 1576 King Philip the first asked a renowned architect, Juan de Herrera to look at the old chaotic market, Plaza del Arrabal, with a view to modernization. Tags: Plaza Mayor, center of Madrid, Puerta del Sol, Plaza del Arrabal, Philip III, Philip II, auto de fé, Spanish Inquisition, Spanish tapas bars, Casa del Jamòn, Ulysses, madrid, spain, auto de fe Read More