PUERTA DEL SOL AND CALLE ARENAL, Puerta Del Sol 2

Right at the center of the square between the two fountains, you can see the recent statue of Charles III of Bourbon on horseback. Follow his example and direct your gaze toward the red brick building in front of you. This is Casa de Correos dating back to the second half of the 1700s, and currently the seat of the Presidency of the Region of Madrid. If you're in Madrid at the end of the year, be sure to celebrate New Year's in front of this building! In fact, on the night of the 31st hundreds of thousands of people gather here to perform the grape ritual: you have to eat a grape for each of the twelve chimes of the clock built into the central tower.

And speaking of Madrid traditions: to the left near the corner of Calle Alcalá, you can see a group of statues in bronze and stone depicting a climbing bear and a strawberry tree. It's the famous "Oso y Madroño" statue, and the symbol of Madrid that you'll find on every postcard.

Now head towards "Casa de Correos" and you'll walk through an area full of history. It was here that the 19th century revolt against the French began and was immediately stamped out the next day with the shootings that are also dramatically represented in the famous painting by Goya at the Prado. Also here, the President of the Government was assassinated in 1912, the First Republic was proclaimed in 1931, and a few years ago the so-called "Indignados" camped out here led by the leader of the "Podemos" party, Pablo Iglesias....