In Plaza de las Cortes, at number 8, is the Plus Ultra Building. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century by order of the Marquis of Amboage. The chosen architect was Joaquín Rojí López-Calvo, the same one who built the Church of Santa Bárbara or Superior Court of Justice of Madrid.

With a markedly French style and with a certain similarity in its construction to its neighbor Hotel Palace, it is a large work, 6 floors and 2 basements, with more than 1000 square meters per floor, in the heart of the Literary neighborhood.

Its façade and the wrought ironwork of its balconies stand out, as well as inside a marble Imperial staircase and fantastic stained glass windows.

Since the 40s it has been owned by the Plus Ultra company.

But the most surprising thing about the building is a clock with a chime, inaugurated on December 20, 1993 by Infanta Pilar de Borbón, located on the first floor balcony above the main door of the building. 18 bells of different sizes installed on both sides of the clock face and 5 mobile figures from the Goyesca era. The same painter, Francisco de Goya, King Charles III, The Duchess of Alba, the right-handed Pedro Romero and the very Madrid Manola. The figures are one meter forty high and were designed by the cartoonist and comedian Antonio Mingote.

Every day, at twelve noon and eight in the afternoon, the balcony opens while the characters come out. Five hundred different melodies, which vary according to recent events or calendar dates.

They were built in the Royal Factory of Eijsbouts, in Holland, one of the most prestigious in the world in bell casting and carillon manufacturing. They say that it is the only one that exists in Spain with mobile figures, try to stop by there one day during the opening hours of the balcony.

A abrazo.