Puerta de Alcalá, Triumphal arch in Madrid, Spain
The Puerta de Alcalá is a city gate with five openings made of pale stone in the Plaza de la Independencia of Madrid. The three central arches are larger and decorated with columns and sculptures, while the two outer openings are rectangular and show simpler forms.
King Charles III commissioned Francesco Sabatini in 1764 to design a new gate on the site of an older entrance to the city. Work was completed in 1778 and replaced the earlier Moorish construction with this classical structure.
The name refers to the old road toward Alcalá de Henares that began here and led travelers eastward. Today locals and visitors gather in the square to photograph the monument or meet in front of the arches.
The monument stands freely on a large square and can be viewed from all sides. Those wishing to enter Retiro Park from here will find the entrance just a few steps away on the eastern side.
The two facades show different decorations: the outer one with lions and trophies, the inner one with representations of the cardinal virtues. This asymmetry was unusual for city gates of the period and makes each passage its own experience.
Location: Madrid
Inception: 1769
Creator: Francisco Gutiérrez Arribas, Francesco Sabatini, Roberto Michel
Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture
Accessibility: Accès limité en fauteuil roulant
Part of: Paseo del Prado and Buen Retiro, a landscape of Arts and Sciences
Address: Plaza Independencia
Website: https://esmadrid.com/informacion-turistica/puerta-de-alcala
GPS coordinates: 40.42002,-3.68873
Latest update: December 15, 2025 06:02
Triumphal arches document military and historical events of their time. These monuments to victories and commemoration stand in cities around the world. The structures combine architectural elements with historical documentation through reliefs, inscriptions, and sculptures. The collection includes...
Madrid ranks among Europe's richest cultural capitals. The city brings together royal heritage, art, and everyday life behind its wide avenues and animated squares. The Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza, and Reina Sofía museums display works from the medieval period to contemporary times. The Royal Palace,...
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