Plaza del Dos de Mayo
Ayuntamiento of Madrid | |
| Location | Centro, Madrid, Spain |
|---|---|
| Postal code | 28004 |
| Coordinates | 40°25′37″N 3°42′15″W / 40.426975°N 3.704064°W |
The Plaza del Dos de Mayo is an urban square in Madrid, Spain. It is the centre of the Malasaña area,[1] within the administrative neighborhood of Universidad.
Its name remembers the
Spanish War of Independence.[2] The plaza features a monumental arch in its centre dedicated to Luis Daoíz and Pedro Velarde, two soldiers fallen to the French army on 2 May 1808 who became heroes in the national imaginary.[2] The area was the place where the Monteleón Artillery barracks lied in 1808 and where the heroic defense of the aforementioned "martyrs" took place.[3]
In 1868 there was already an open semicircular space,[3] but it left much to be desired. The municipal authorities, aware of the potential symbolic value, decided to refurbish and put the area in value.[3] Following the demolishing of the Convent of Las Maravillas, the remains of the palace of the Dukes of Monteleón and further housing in order to create a gardened space with the monumental arch in its centre,[2] the area was inaugurated on 1 May 1869.[2]
More recently, the plaza became a preferential location for casual alcohol consumption.[4]
References
- ^ Cruz, Luis de la (8 March 2003). "Dos de Mayo, la plaza". Somos Malasaña. El Periódico.
- ^ a b c d Cantalapiedra, Ricardo (2 May 1995). "Memorias de una plaza". El País.
- ^ ISBN 9788474681215.
- ABC.
