Gate of Europe, Twin office skyscrapers in Plaza de Castilla, Madrid, Spain
The Gate of Europe features two identical 114-meter towers, each leaning at a 15-degree angle toward the central Plaza de Castilla.
The Kuwait Investment Office commissioned these towers in 1989, leading to their initial name Torres KIO before their completion in 1996.
These towers mark the northern entrance to Madrid and represent the fusion between modern engineering and architectural innovation in the Spanish capital.
Each tower contains 26 floors served by eight elevators, with the west tower displaying a blue helipad and the east tower featuring a red one.
The structures, designed by Philip Johnson and John Burgee, were the first skyscrapers in the world constructed with an inclined design.
Location: Madrid
Location: Chamartín
Location: Tetuán
Inception: 1996
Architects: Philip Johnson
Architectural style: postmodern architecture
Floors above the ground: 26
Elevators: 8
Height: 114 m
GPS coordinates: 40.46639,-3.68778
Latest update: May 26, 2025 21:42
Philip Johnson created notable buildings across the United States and Europe. His works include the Glass House in New Canaan, the Seagram Building in New York, and the Puerta de Europa in Madrid. His designs combine modernism with classical elements and shape the skylines of New York, Houston, and other cities.
Caja Madrid Obelisk
135 m
Monument to Calvo Sotelo
192 m
Water tower, Plaza de Castilla, Madrid
101 m
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Espino, Madrid
362 m
Iglesia de San Fernando
727 m
Iglesia de San Francisco Javier
591 m
Puerta de Europa I
212 m
Monument to Francisco Javier
600 m
Hotel Meliá Castilla, Madrid
666 m
Puerta de Europa II
56 m
Edificio Castellana 266
722 m
Hotel Via Castellana, Madrid
133 m
National Statistics Institute of Spain headquarters
376 m
Escultura Caja Laboral
586 m
Juzgados de Plaza de Castilla
259 m
Iglesia del Santísimo Redentor, Madrid
386 m
Edificio Gorbea 2
703 m
Torre Rioja, Madrid
595 m
Hotel Puerta Castilla, Madrid
218 m
Zurich offices, Madrid
751 m
Tetuán District Hall
523 m
Iglesia de San Francisco Javier y Escuela de Formación Profesional Padre Piquer
591 m
Estanque con surtidores CYII
227 m
Municipal Public Library María Zambrano
546 m
Torre Castilla
250 m
Triángulo de Oro
425 m
Juan Ramón Jiménez 22 building, Madrid
557 m
Discovery Building
429 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes