The plaza was a central spot in 15th-century Madrid when the city had already established itself as an urban centre, a Villa! Some of the oldest buildings in town can be admired here, among which the Gothic Casa de Los Lujanes stands out with its imposing tower that reminds us of the defensive role of medieval castles. The building belonged to a noble landlord, Pedro Luján, royal chamberlain of King John II of Castile who reigned until 1454. The second oldest structure is the Casa de Cisneros, built after the Renaissance style in 1537 in the southern part of the square by the nephew of the mighty Cardinal Cisneros. Last but not least, we shouldn’t fail to notice the Casa de la Villa, one of the headquarters of Madrid’s City Council. This is a typical 17th-century construction that belongs to the Hapsburg period. The building was renovated by Juan de Villanueva after the fire that wrought havoc in Plaza Mayor. Isn’t it unique when one has the chance to admire the style of so many different eras in one only sight?