Gate of Carlos V, Viveiro, Plateresque city gate in Viveiro, Spain
The Gate of Carlos V is a fortified city entrance in Viveiro distinguished by its semicircular arch decorated in Plateresque style with cylindrical moldings and three coats of arms. It remains one of three surviving openings from the original medieval wall system and stands in the city's central area.
Construction began in 1548 under architect Pedro Pedroso after Emperor Charles I granted Viveiro a three-year tax exemption to recover from a devastating urban fire. The gate's construction was part of a broader rebuilding effort that supported the city's economic recovery.
Inside the gate stands a Plateresque shrine decorated with two shields and an 18th-century statue of Saint Roque, which replaced an earlier image of the Virgin of the Forsaken. This religious feature shows how the entrance served as a spiritual focal point for pilgrims and residents over the centuries.
The gate is easily accessible on foot from Viveiro's center with no special access restrictions. Visitors should note that late afternoon or early morning offers the best light for photographing the Plateresque decorative details.
During the Spanish War of Independence in 1809, the gate served as a defensive position against Napoleon's troops during their assault on the city. This military episode left its mark on the structure and remains part of Viveiro's wartime heritage.
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