A gate facing the sunrise
The square takes its name from a gate in the old city wall, traditionally said to have been decorated with a sun because it faced east.
Urban Tales › Madrid › Puerta del Sol
Puerta del Sol: where Spain counts down
Puerta del Sol began as a gate in Madrid's 15th-century wall. Today every Spanish New Year starts here: the whole country eats twelve grapes to the chimes of the clock on the old Post Office.
Origin15th-century city gate
Post Office built1766–1768
Clock1866
Kilometre Zerosince 1950
Hear the Puerta del Sol story, in the app's voice
A short preview. The full story plays on its own when you walk up to it with Urban Tales.
Three stories most visitors miss
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Twelve grapes
The clock on the Real Casa de Correos, given in 1866 by clockmaker José Rodríguez de Losada, rings in the New Year on national TV. Spaniards eat one grape for each chime.
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Kilometre Zero
A plaque on the pavement in front of the building marks Kilometre Zero, the point from which Spain's main roads are measured.
TipFind the Kilometre Zero plaque on the pavement in front of the clock tower, and the bear and strawberry tree statue, Madrid's emblem, on the other side. With Urban Tales running, its story plays as you arrive.
Nearby landmarks
Puerta del Sol: common questions
Why do Spaniards eat 12 grapes at Puerta del Sol?
At midnight on New Year's Eve, people eat one grape for each of the 12 chimes of the Puerta del Sol clock, broadcast live across Spain.
What is Kilometre Zero?
A plaque in front of the Real Casa de Correos marking the starting point for measuring Spain's national roads.
Why is it called Puerta del Sol?
It was a gate (puerta) in the city wall, said to have been decorated with a sun because it faced east.