Plaza de Oriente

You’re now on the eastern side of the Royal Palace — which is why the square is called Plaza de Oriente, or the Orient Plaza. It’s best known for its impressive layout, offering views of the Royal Palace, the theatre, and a collection of statues of 20 Spanish kings. These sculptures were originally meant to decorate the palace but ended up here instead. At the centre stands an equestrian statue of Philip IV, created by Pietro Tacca based on a design by Velázquez — with some engineering advice from Galileo, who helped ensure the statue’s balance and stability. It’s also a great spot to catch the sunset lighting up the façades of the nearby beautiful buildings.