Puerta de San Vicente, Triumphal arch near Parque del Oeste, Madrid, Spain
Puerta de San Vicente is a gate with a central arch and two smaller openings on the sides, decorated with Doric columns and stone surfaces. The current structure from 1994 is a precise replica of the original, built from concrete that is faced with grey granite and limestone.
King Charles III commissioned architect Francesco Sabatini in 1775 to build this monumental gate as a city entrance. Following its dismantling in 1892, parts of the original were transformed into decorative lampposts at Glorieta de Cibeles.
The gate connects Madrid to an era when the city wanted to grow with grand public symbols. Its symmetrical design and classical columns reflect the neoclassical taste that dominated European cities at that time.
The gate stands at the edge of Parque del Oeste and is easily reached on foot with free access and good views from multiple angles. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon, when less traffic surrounds the area and the light is more favorable.
Few visitors know that the original components of the dismantled structure received a second life in functional artworks at another location in the city. This made the gate an example of how urban materials were recycled in Madrid.
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