The Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid
Madrid is one of the beautiful cities in the country of Spain. It is a city rich in history and cultural significance and was particularly recognized and affected by the Spanish Civil War. Not only was it a stronghold of the Republicans for a period during 1936, but it was also the first city that was bombed during the war with the targets being regular citizens and non-military social structures. This was also the first time in the recorded history of warfare that the targeting of civilians by airplane bombings occurred.
This, however, does not define the city, nor does any other aspect of turbulent eras in history. What does define Madrid and is obvious to many of the tourists who visit it and stay in one of the five star Madrid hotels is its sense of pride, endurance and culture. There are many buildings that represent its sense of history and dynamic cultural heritage, though the Plaza de Cibeles is probably the strongest icon and symbolic representative of the city. It is located in the region of the city that is commonly referred to as the Paseo de Recoletos.
The Plaza de Cibeles is an incredible complex that is full of marble sculptures and beautiful fountains. It designed and built with a neo-classical orientation and depicts the Phrygian mythological goddess of fertility, Cybeles, sitting on a chariot with two lions pulling it. It was designed by Ventura Rodriguez in the late 18th century and was built during the reign of Charles the third. It is one of the main attractions for tourists and also the chosen location of celebration for the Real Madrid football team. They have adopted it as the appropriate place to celebrate major victories in the top competitions. The team is the most successful of all of the Spanish football teams, choosing the fountain as a place of celebration gives it an even greater significance.