Aerial view of Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain Aug 29, 2025

Aerial view of Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain

Seen from above, the uniform arcades and tiled rooftops of Plaza Mayor in Madrid—the capital of Spain—create a captivating architectural harmony. Once the site of a bustling market square known as the Plaza del Arrabal, this historic space has witnessed the city"s transformation over the centuries. The shift began in 1561, when the plaza came under Madrid"s jurisdiction after the royal court moved from Toledo. Inspired by a vision of order and grandeur, King Philip II reimagined the square—though construction did not actually begin until 1617, under the reign of Philip III.

© AirPano LLC/Amazing Aerial Agency

palette

Today in History

Aug 29, 2023Turkey tail mushroom
The sea that acts like a lake
Aug 29, 2024Castellfollit de la Roca, Catalonia, Spain

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Hovering over harmonious horticulture
Feb 26, 2025Maha Shivaratri
When just a pinch of salt won’t do
Mar 3, 2025World Wildlife Day
The sun sets on the Valley of the Moon
What’s your favorite colour?
This museum sets the prairie on fire
Dec 19, 2024Sibiu Christmas Market, Romania
Apr 6, 2025Dolphins near Santa Maria Island, Azores, Portugal
Dec 14, 2024Northern hawk-owl, Canada
The ancient home of the Minoans
Mar 16, 2025Baby giant panda, China
Jul 2, 2025Spine-cheeked anemonefish
A beach of many colours
Dec 24, 2024Silent night, sparkling lights and hearts full of joy
Dec 23, 2023Chinstrap penguins
Jul 1, 2024Fisgard Lighthouse, British Columbia, Canada
Apr 21, 2024Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, USA
Nov 29, 2025Red deer stag in De Hoge Veluwe National Park, Netherlands
In the tropics, land greets sea warmly
Apr 29, 2025Garden at Château de Villandry, Loire Valley, France
Jun 14, 2024Peggys Cove Lighthouse, Canada
Apr 10, 2024Dragon waterfall, Venezuela
Apr 12, 2025International Day of Human Space Flight
A feel of an era bygone
Mar 26, 2024Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam
Dec 17, 2023Bohemian waxwings
Jan 5, 2024International Ice and Snow Festival, Harbin, China
Kings of the north
Shining city on the hill