Statue of Alonso III, Madrid

The Statue of Alfonso III stands among the royal stone figures lining Plaza de Oriente in Madrid, the square framed by the Royal Palace and the Teatro Real. It depicts a medieval ruler of the Kingdom of Asturias and is one of a larger set of statues of Spanish monarchs arranged in two rows across the square.

Who was Alfonso III?

Alfonso III, known as "the Great," ruled the Kingdom of Asturias in the second half of the 9th century until his death in 910 (the statue's base gives the date as 912). He was one of the rulers who, during the Reconquista, pushed the borders of the Christian kingdoms further south across the Iberian Peninsula, strengthening Asturias as the nucleus of the later kingdoms of León and Castile. The figure on Plaza de Oriente is one of twenty royal statues — spanning Visigothic and Asturian rulers through to the kings of Castile and León — set out in two rows of ten.

Where did the statues come from?

The story of these figures begins in the 18th century. The statue of Alfonso III, along with the rest of the set, was carved between 1743 and 1748 under the patronage of the courts of Philip V and Ferdinand VI, directed by the Italian sculptor Juan Domingo Olivieri and his Spanish collaborator Felipe de Castro. The set was originally intended to crown the balustrade atop the Royal Palace in Madrid — a common decorative convention for European royal residences of the period. Plans changed under Charles III, when the architect Francisco Sabatini judged the statues too heavy for the roof structure and had them removed. The figures spent decades in storage, including time in the palace gardens.

How did the statues end up on Plaza de Oriente?

The fortunes of the statues shifted in the 19th century. After years of storage and some deterioration, several figures were restored, with conservation work carried out by Francisco Elías and José Tomás among others. When the current layout of Plaza de Oriente took shape next to the Royal Palace in the 1840s, authorities decided to line the square's walkways with the restored royal statues, where they still stand today, forming a distinctive open-air gallery of Spanish monarchs.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

The Statue of Alfonso III sits right next to the biggest landmarks in this part of Madrid. The Royal Palace's façade rises on one side of the square, the Teatro Real opera house on the other, and the monumental equestrian statue of Philip IV occupies the square's central point. It's worth walking the full row of royal statues to compare the eras and styles they represent — from the early medieval rulers of Asturias through the kings of León to the monarchs of a unified Castile.

When is the best time to visit?

Plaza de Oriente is open year-round, and a walk among the statues works in any weather. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, when Madrid's temperatures are mild and the square is less crowded with visitors heading to the nearby Royal Palace. After dark, the illuminated statues and palace façade create a striking scene, making the square a popular spot for an evening stroll.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Alfonso III, the figure shown in the statue? Alfonso III the Great was king of Asturias in the 9th and 10th centuries, one of the rulers who expanded the Christian kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula during the Reconquista. He died in 910.

Why does the statue stand on Plaza de Oriente instead of on the palace roof? The royal statues, including Alfonso III's, were designed in the 18th century to decorate the balustrade of the Royal Palace, but architect Francisco Sabatini deemed them too heavy for the roof structure. They were eventually placed on Plaza de Oriente in the 19th century.

How many royal statues are on the square? Plaza de Oriente holds twenty statues of Spanish rulers, arranged in two rows of ten, covering kings of the Visigoths, Asturias, León, and Castile.

What else can be found on Plaza de Oriente? Besides the royal statues, the square is home to the Royal Palace, the Teatro Real opera house, and the central equestrian monument to King Philip IV.