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The Campo del Moro is a pleasing park, rising steeply from the Rio Manzanares to offer one of the finest views of the Palacio Real. The park has a varied history. In 1109 a Moorish army, led by Ali ben Yusuf bivouacked here, hence the name. In the late 19th century it was used as a lavish playground for royal children. It was reopened to the public in 1931 under the Second Republic closed again under Franco and not reopened until 1983.

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Dedicated to the city's patron, the cathedral of La Almudena was begun in 1879 and completed over a century later. The cathedral which stands to the south of the Plaza de la Almeria, held the first royal wedding between Prince Felipe and Letizia Ortiz in May 2004.

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This busy roundabout is named after Antonio Canovas del Castillo, one of the leading statesman of 19th-century Spain, who was assassinated in 1897. Dominating the plaza is the Fuente de Neptuno-a fountain with a statue depicting Neptune in his chariot, being pulled by two horses. The statue was designed in 1780 by Ventura Rodriguez as part of Carlos III' scheme to beautify eastern Madrid.

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The much restored and frequently remodelled Plaza de la Villa is one of the most atmospheric spots in Madrid. Some of the city's most historic secular buildings are situated around this square. The oldest building is the early 15th-century Torre de los Lujanes, with its Gothic portal and Mudejar-style horse-shoe arches. Francois I of France was allegedly imprisoned in it following his defeat at the Battle of Pavia in 1525.

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During his days as king of Spain, Joseph Bonaparte carved out this stirrup-shaped space from the jumble of buildings to the east of the Palacio Real providing the view of the palace enjoyed today. The square was once an important meeting place for state occasions; kings, queens and dictators all made public appearances on the palace balcony facing the plaza. The many statues of early kings which stand here were originally intended for the palace roofline, but proved too heavy. The equestrian statue of Felipe IV in the centre of the square is by Italian sculptor Pietro.

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Noisy with traffic, chatter and policemen's whistles, the Puerta del Sol makes a fitting centre for Madrid. This is one of the city's most popular meeting places, and huge crowds converge here on their way to the shops and sights in the old part of the city. Today the "square" is shaped like half moon. A recent addition is the imposing statue of Carlos III. The Puerta del Sol has witnessed many important historical events. On 2 May 1808 the uprising against the occupying French forces began here, but the crowd, pitted against the well-armed French troops, was crushed. In 1912 the liberal Prime Minister Jose Canalejas was assassinated in the square and, in 1931, the Second Republic was proclaimed from the balcony of the Ministry of the Interior.

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