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Alcala Gate

The "Alcalá Gate" (in Spanish, La Puerta de Alcalá) soon became one of Madrid's symbols and it is one of the most well-known monuments. It is now classified as a National Monument.

It is a Neo-classical granite monument in the Independencia Square. It stands near the city center and several meters away from the main entrance to the Buen Retiro Park. The square is bisected by Alcalá Street, although the street itself doesn't cross through the monument.

It was designed by Italian architect Francesco Sabatini in 1764 (with the King Charles III).
Charles III ordered it to be built in the city wall, which marked the eastern boundary.

The granite gate is 19.5 metres tall and is elegant and well-proportioned. With three large archways and two smaller, rectangular passageways. The façade features a number of decorative elements with groups of sculptures, capitals, reliefs and masks, among others. Each of the archways is decorated with a lion's head, sculpted by Roberto Michel. The construction of the gate took 9 years, it was finally completed in 1778.

The Gate was a real door, ie a door of one wall still standing well into the nineteenth century. And was erected as a triumphal arch to celebrate the arrival of the King Charles III in the city of Madrid.

One curious piece of information about this Gate: It has some statues on top, representing four cardinal virtues: Prudence, Justice, Temperance and Fortitude.

Directions:

       Plaza de la Independencia
       28001 Madrid

Subway transportation:
    * Line 2 - Retiro or Banco de España stations.