Monument to Philip IV of Spain, Bronze equestrian monument in Plaza de Oriente, Spain.
The Monument to Philip IV is a bronze equestrian statue in Plaza de Oriente where the horse rests on its rear legs with the tail providing additional support. The sculpture occupies the center of the square and offers direct sightlines to the Royal Palace of Madrid from this vantage point.
The sculpture was created by Pietro Tacca in Florence starting in 1640, based on designs by the artist Diego Velázquez. The Italian sculptor received technical advice from Galileo Galilei to solve the challenging balance required for the horse composition.
The monument displays two marble bas-reliefs at its base, one showing Philip IV presenting the Cross of Santiago to the artist Velázquez. This scene reflects the close bond between the king and his art-loving courtiers.
The monument stands in the center of Plaza de Oriente, surrounded by gardens where you can view it from different angles. The best angle for photographs is from the north side of the square, where the palace appears in the background.
The entire structure weighs nine tons but was cast with varying bronze thicknesses, the horse's head being thinner than the massive rear quarters. This weight-balancing system was necessary to achieve the remarkable balance of the animal resting on just its rear legs.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
Casa-palacio de Ricardo Augustín, Madrid
168 m
Monumento al capitán Melgar
126 m
Statue of Ataúlfo
108 m
Monument to Luis Noval, Madrid
72 m
Statue of Wamba, Madrid
92 m
Statue of Ramiro I of Asturias, Madrid
97 m
Statue of Alonso I, Madrid
113 m
Statue of Alonso III, Madrid
49 m
Estatua de Íñigo Arista, Madrid
92 m
Wilfredo. El Belloso, Madrid
53 m
Statue of Suintila, Madrid
94 m
Statue of Pelayo, Madrid
90 m
Fernán-González. 1º Conde Independiente de Castilla, Madrid
47 m
Statue of Sancha of León, Madrid
74 m
Ordoño 2º, Madrid
47 m
Commemorative plaque to José del Castillo
158 m
Statue of Eurico, Madrid
102 m
Statue of Alonso II, Madrid
94 m
Statue of Leovigildo, Madrid
98 m
Ordoño 1º, Madrid
61 m
Ramiro 2º. Rey de León, Madrid
46 m
Ramiro 1º. Primer Rey de Aragón, Madrid
57 m
Commemorative plaque to the Puerta de la Sagra, Madrid
168 m
Alfonso V of León, Madrid
52 m
Fernando 1º
65 m
Monumento a Julian Gayarre, Madrid
88 m
Commemorative plaque to the Gate of Valnadú, Madrid
168 m
Commemorative plaque to Sebastián Herrera Barnuevo
115 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes