Plaza de Isabel II (Queen Isabel II Square), Madrid
Located at the end of Calle del Arenal, Plaza de Isabel II is a spacious square that has become a popular gathering spot, especially for the younger population of Madrid. Its historical origins date back to a time when several streams converged just outside the medieval city walls. Over time, washhouses and bathhouses were established to utilize the water supply, while the sandy banks served as impromptu stages for performances until the construction of a theater in the 18th century. This theater was later replaced by the Teatro Real opera house in the following century.
Aside from the notable surrounding buildings, the square itself is relatively unremarkable, featuring a fountain with a statue of Queen Isabel II at its center. Having ascended to the throne at the age of three, succeeding her father King Fernando VII, her ascent was remarkable not because child monarchs were uncommon, but because she was a female successor. The Salic Law of the 6th century stipulated that women could not inherit the throne, but Fernando VII, not fond of his brother Carlos who was the natural successor, overruled the law and declared that his daughter should reign after him. However, he did not anticipate his untimely death when Isabel was only three years old, leading to her mother acting as regent for eight years. Isabel's life was marked by challenges and hardships - at the age of 11, her mother abandoned her; she married her homosexual double-first cousin at 16, and out of her eleven children, only five survived to adulthood. She faced years of contention with her uncle Carlos over the succession of the Spanish Crown and was eventually deposed during the Glorious Revolution in 1868. Her son Alfonso became King Alfonso XII, and Isabel was exiled to France, where she passed away in 1904.
Aside from the notable surrounding buildings, the square itself is relatively unremarkable, featuring a fountain with a statue of Queen Isabel II at its center. Having ascended to the throne at the age of three, succeeding her father King Fernando VII, her ascent was remarkable not because child monarchs were uncommon, but because she was a female successor. The Salic Law of the 6th century stipulated that women could not inherit the throne, but Fernando VII, not fond of his brother Carlos who was the natural successor, overruled the law and declared that his daughter should reign after him. However, he did not anticipate his untimely death when Isabel was only three years old, leading to her mother acting as regent for eight years. Isabel's life was marked by challenges and hardships - at the age of 11, her mother abandoned her; she married her homosexual double-first cousin at 16, and out of her eleven children, only five survived to adulthood. She faced years of contention with her uncle Carlos over the succession of the Spanish Crown and was eventually deposed during the Glorious Revolution in 1868. Her son Alfonso became King Alfonso XII, and Isabel was exiled to France, where she passed away in 1904.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Madrid. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Plaza de Isabel II (Queen Isabel II Square) on Map
Sight Name: Plaza de Isabel II (Queen Isabel II Square)
Sight Location: Madrid, Spain (See walking tours in Madrid)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Madrid, Spain (See walking tours in Madrid)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Madrid, Spain
Create Your Own Walk in Madrid
Creating your own self-guided walk in Madrid is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Madrid Food Tour
Spain is internationally reputed as a major gastronomic power and its capital city Madrid attests to this claim, being home to vibrant food markets and multiple establishments serving traditional Spanish food in a soul-warming atmosphere.
One of the iconic food destinations is Plaza Mayor, a bustling town square where you can savor traditional Spanish dishes. The square is home to numerous... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
One of the iconic food destinations is Plaza Mayor, a bustling town square where you can savor traditional Spanish dishes. The square is home to numerous... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Souvenirs Shopping Tour
Shopping for souvenirs in Madrid is an exciting and delightful experience for anyone visiting the vibrant Spanish capital. Indeed, it would be a pity to leave Madrid without having explored its specialty shops and bringing home something truly original. With this in mind, we've compiled a list of must-visit locations where you can find souvenirs, which are unique to Madrid and make for... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Madrid Introduction Walking Tour
A city of elegant boulevards, beautiful squares, and manicured parks, the Spanish capital is renowned for its rich repositories of European art, portico-lined Plaza Mayor, baroque style Royal Palace and many other cultural and historical monuments.
Although the site of modern-day Madrid has been occupied since prehistoric times, the first historical document about an established settlement here... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Although the site of modern-day Madrid has been occupied since prehistoric times, the first historical document about an established settlement here... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Golden Mile Walking Tour
Similarly to 5th Avenue in New York City, Champs Elysee in Paris, or Bond Street in London, the Golden Mile is one of the wealthiest and most expensive neighborhoods of the Spanish capital. Forming part of Madrid's Salamanca district, this posh area is known for its upscale shopping, cultural attractions, and gastronomic delights.
One of the prominent local landmarks is Columbus Square... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
One of the prominent local landmarks is Columbus Square... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Miguel de Cervantes' Madrid Walking Tour
The name of the iconic Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes is closely associated with Madrid. The author is known for a number of works, but his 1605 novel Don Quixote de la Mancha is often held as the first modern novel.
Despite being regarded as one of the fathers of modern literature, very little is known about Cervantes' early life. Born in 1547, he had spent some of his young years in... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Despite being regarded as one of the fathers of modern literature, very little is known about Cervantes' early life. Born in 1547, he had spent some of his young years in... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Ernest Hemingway's Madrid Walking Tour
Amid the many writers who have expressed their love for Madrid, Ernest Hemingway is the one who did so quite famously. A recognized heavyweight of the 20th century literature - the author of The Sun Also Rises (1926), Death in the Afternoon (1932), The Fifth Column (1938), For Whom the Bell Tolls (1940) and The Old Man and the Sea (1952) - was a frequent visitor to the Spanish capital.
Here,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Here,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
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