Puerta de la Ilustración, Madrid, Steel arch sculpture in El Pilar district, Madrid, Spain.
The Puerta de la Ilustración is a steel arch sculpture in the El Pilar district composed of two parallel structures, each featuring thirteen semicircular arches arranged as a gateway. The construction rises significantly and creates a monumental passage where two major roads intersect.
The work was commissioned in 1984 by the Ministry of Public Works and Urban Development and completed in 1990. It was created as part of a major expansion of the M-30 highway that reshaped the city's infrastructure.
The name references the Enlightenment and symbolizes the connection between modern city development and residential neighborhoods. The structure marks the area visually and is perceived by visitors as a significant sign of urban transformation.
The monument is located at the intersection of Avenida de la Ilustración and Glorieta de las Reales Academias and is easy to reach. The site provides wheelchair accessibility, allowing all visitors to view the sculpture comfortably.
The arches of the two structures do not all reach the same height but follow a deliberate geometric pattern. The southern side decreases in height from west to east, while the northern side reverses this sequence, creating an intriguing visual effect.
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