Arco de Cuchilleros, Stone arch entrance in Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain
The Arco de Cuchilleros is a stone arch in Madrid that links Plaza Mayor with the steeply descending Cava de San Miguel street. Tall walls frame a long flight of stairs that leads down to this historic thoroughfare.
Juan de Villanueva designed the arch in the 18th century to solve the height difference between Plaza Mayor and the streets below. This architectural solution created a practical link between two distinct parts of the city.
The arch takes its name from the knife makers and sword craftsmen whose workshops filled this area for generations.
The stairs can get crowded during peak times, so visiting early is advisable. Traditional Spanish restaurants and wine bars line the sides, offering places to stop and rest.
In 1808, a friar spoke from the arch's metal railing to Madrid residents, urging them to resist Napoleon's occupation. This moment made the location a site of resistance.
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