Exploring Kilometer Zero
Madrid, the bustling capital of Spain, is home to a fascinating piece of history that often goes unnoticed by many of its residents and visitors: Kilometre Zero.
This emblematic point, located in Puerta del Sol, serves as the starting point for all of Spain's radial roads, making it a place of geographical and cultural importance.
Of course, there are always several levels of reading, and with The Madrileñer it takes on a slightly different meaning...
History and Meaning
Madrid's Kilometer Zero has its roots in the 18th century, during the reign of Charles III. At that time, Puerta del Sol was established as the city's centre, and a kilometre post was erected to mark the starting point of the main roads that connected Madrid to other regions of Spain.
Over the years, this simple post was transformed into the monument we know today, with a plaque embedded in the ground indicating Kilometer Zero and the distances to different cities in the country.
Kilometer Zero and The Madrileñer
For us, Kilometre Zero is much more than just a reference point: it is a symbol rooted in Madrid's identity , an epicentre!! Mar Cerdeira , a talented Mexican artist who has found her home in Madrid, describes the city as the place where emotional resets are possible. This was the "starting point" for the creation of her print.
Mar, who has lived in the Spanish capital for many years, incorporates many elements of Madrid and the Plaza del Sol into her creation: the Telefonica building , the birds, a cat, and also a miniature of the sculpture of the Bear and the madroño Tree as a coffee table book. So nice!!
Visiting Kilometer Zero from another perspective
The next time you pass through Puerta del Sol, we invite you to stop among the crowds of tourists and souvenir sellers, and reflect on what Madrid means to you. Is it the starting point for new adventures? A refuge to rekindle emotions?
Madrid offers endless possibilities, and Kilometre Zero is the starting point to discover them all.
A shared ambition
Madrid's Kilometer Zero is much more than just a geographical point. It is a symbol of the history, culture and identity of the Spanish capital, and a starting point for many journeys, both physical and emotional, that are intertwined with the very essence of Madrid.
The Madrileñer sheets share a similar ambition to Kilómetro Cero: to be an authentic expression of the soul of Madrid.
