One of the most beautiful squares in the capital of Spain is located at the intersection of the famous Prado avenue, Alcala Street, and Recoletos Boulevard.
In the center of Cibeles Square stands the Cibeles Fountain, made in the form of a marble sculpture of the ancient Greek goddess of fertility. The majestic Cybele, seated in a chariot drawn by two lions, is surrounded by jets of water shooting upward. The monument symbolizes Spain's aspiration for prosperity. It is no accident that Real Madrid players bathe in this fountain after major victories.
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The ensemble of the square includes amazingly beautiful buildings - the Communications Palace, the Linares Palace, the Buenavista Palace, and the Bank of Spain. The Communications Palace deserves a separate story, but it is enough to mention the other three buildings at least briefly.
The place where the mansion of the Marquis of Linares stands today was once considered cursed. During the War of Independence, the French built a prison building here, where prisoners languished and executions were carried out. Nowadays, this is home to the cultural center Casa de America, or the "House of America," which serves to maintain Spain's cultural ties with Latin American countries.
Buenavista Palace, one of the oldest buildings on the square, was built in 1777 as the family residence of the Duchess of Alba. Today it houses the Spanish Ministry of Defense. As for the Bank of Spain, rumors persist that a tunnel runs from this building to the Cibeles Fountain, where the country's gold reserves are kept!
