MADRID Information: LA
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The idea of having a large square with porticoes, which would regulate
trade and draw the citizens together, was first started in the reign
of Felipe II. However, it was in 1617, in the reign of Felipe III,
that Juan Gomez de Mora designed the square as a 120 m by 94 m rectangle,
with 477 balconies, although several fires meant that the final structure
was only completed at the end of the 18th century by the architect
Juan de Villanueva.
The square was in daily use as the only place where a market was held
in the city, and it had been a market place since mediaeval times
when the square was known as Arrabal Square, because it was outside
the walls.
One of the most important buildings in the square is the Bakery (Casa
de la Panaderia), which as a sign of the power of the throne, was
used exclusively by the Royal Family to watch any event that took
place in the square. The Royal Hall (Salon Real) inside is important,
where for centuries the Spanish kings received the people, dispensed
justice and presided over grand festivals and acts in their honour
from the balconies. During the 17th century, the Main Square was a
permanent area for plays. The most spectacular shows were staged here,
suitably organised: poetry competitions, triumphant entries, autos
de fe, games of strength and allegorical plays, One of the first festive
acts which took place in 1620 was the festival in honour of the beatification
of San Isidro two years previously, Felipe IV was proclaimed king
in the square a short time later in May 1621. Whenever there was a
festival, the owners of the flats had to give up their balconies to
the Council, who rented them out to the nobility and upper classes.
The equestrian statue of Felipe III in the centre of the square comes
from the small palace in the Casa de Campo, and was placed there in
1616. The model for the king was painted by Pantoja de la Cruz; Juan
de Bolonia drew it and cast it in bronze, but died before he could
finish, and it had to be completed by the Florentine, Pietro Tacca.
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Madrid Statues - Felipe IV |
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The statue of Felipe
IV, also known as the four geniuses, is the first equestrian statue
ever recorded where the horse is in the corvette position, that
is, standing on its hind legs. This feat of balance was cast by
the Florentine, Pietro Tacca, who had to ask Galileo Galilei for
advice. The problem was solved by making the front part of the horse
hollow, and the rear part solid to ensure stability. Pietro Tacca
based his work on designs by the painter Diego Velazquez, although
the bust of the king was sculpted by Martinez Montañes.
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