Aerial view of Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain Aug. 29, 2025

Seen from above, the uniform arcades and tiled rooftops of Plaza Mayor in Madrid—the capital of Spain—create a captivating architectural harmony. Once the site of a bustling market square known as the Plaza del Arrabal, this historic space has witnessed the city"s transformation over the centuries. The shift began in 1561, when the plaza came under Madrid"s jurisdiction after the royal court moved from Toledo. Inspired by a vision of order and grandeur, King Philip II reimagined the square—though construction did not actually begin until 1617, under the reign of Philip III.

© AirPano LLC/Amazing Aerial Agency

palette

Today in History

Aug. 29, 2023Zelenci Nature Reserve, Slovenia
The sea that acts like a lake
Aug. 29, 2024Castellfollit de la Roca, Catalonia, Spain

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Aug. 25, 2025Colony of northern gannets in Quebec
Sep. 11, 2023French River, Ontario
Apr. 2, 2024Beech trees and anemone wildflowers, Jutland, Denmark
Best views tower
Jan. 8, 2026Starling murmuration over the ruins of Brightons West Pier, England
Dec. 16, 2023Guild houses of Grand-Place, Brussels, Belgium
Jul. 6, 2025Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park, United States
Jun. 11, 2024A group of Southern gemsbok in the savannah, Botswana
Sep. 16, 2024Wallabies at sunrise, Australia
Mar. 27, 2026World Theatre Day
Hiding in the woods
Have a merry little Christmas
Apr. 5, 2026Easter Sunday
Blue as far as the eye can see
Immersing in nature
Little Island, Big Sea
May 20, 2025World Bee Day
Let there be lights!
Underwater underground
Go hug a mountain, if you can
Jul. 24, 2024Cousins Day
Jan. 10, 2025Abraham Lake, Alberta
Jul. 10, 2024Collared aracari
Oct. 31, 2025Happy Halloween!
Apr. 29, 2024Fujian Tulou, China
A grove glows green
The grass looks greener on this side
Feb. 29, 2024Leap Day
Jan. 2, 2026Aerial view of Venice, Italy
Aug. 19, 2025Vancouver Island, British Columbia