The goddess and lions
Cybele on her chariot since 1782 — guardian of the city's celebrations.
Fernando — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Naknaknak — CC0 · Benjamín Núñez González — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Benjamín Núñez González — CC BY-SA 4.0
Cibeles is Europe's most sumptuous crossroads: the goddess on her lion chariot amid the 1782 fountain, behind her the crowned white Cibeles Palace — once the post office, now city hall — with towers like a secular cathedral, and nineteenth-century palaces on every corner. The fountain is ceremonial Madrid's heart: Real Madrid celebrate their titles around their goddess (Atlético's faithful at nearby Neptune — the city's sacred division), and every state procession passes here. The visitor's clever move is the palace behind: the Mirador Madrid gallery in its tower (small ticket, lift) gives the finest central view over Gran Vía and Alcalá — a secret known to few. And the night shot of fountain and lit palace is among Madrid's icons.
Cybele on her chariot since 1782 — guardian of the city's celebrations.
A city hall like a cathedral — the grandest post office ever built.
Gran Vía and Alcalá beneath you from the eighth-floor gallery.
Plaza de Cibeles, 28014 Madrid
Palacio de LinaresPalacio de Linares holds a corner of Plaza de Cibeles, and most walk past it to 1 minute walk4.7
Círculo de Bellas ArtesA heavy 1920s block on Calle de Alcalá, designed by Antonio Palacios for a priva4 minutes walk4.3
National Museum of Decorative ArtsThe museum occupies a mansion built in 1878 as a summer residence for the Duches4 minutes walk4.2
Metropolis BuildingMetropolis Building stands on the corner where Calle de Alcalá runs into the sta5 minutes walk4.8
Puerta de AlcaláThe Puerta de Alcalá is modern Europe's first great triumphal gate — preceding B5 minutes walk4.8Since the eighties Cibeles has been Real's celebration shrine: players crown the goddess with flag and scarf after every title before a hundred thousand — the city barricading her on big nights since she lost a hand to one old party. A Madridista? Know your date.