Puerta de Alcalá

Framing the central square of Plaza de la Independencia in Madrid, the Puerta de Alcalá is an impressive triumphal arch built to honor King Charles III's reign. This Neo-classical gate, built much before its other European counterparts like the Arc de Triomphe and the Brandenburg Gate, is deemed to be the first modern, post-roman arch in Europe. One of Madrid's most enduring symbols, it's made entirely of granite, with one central arch and two smaller passageways on each side. Former Spanish monarch Charles III had his court architect Sabatini build the gate in 1778 not only as a monument to himself, but to also flaunt to visiting merchants from Aragon the rising prominence of the city on the world map. It also transformed the otherwise banal imagery of the Medieval-walled Madrid to a more uplifting picture. The ornamental statues that flank the walls of the gate are the work of Roberto Michel and Francisco Gutiérrez, while the gate's location is spectacular, as it stands on raised ground opposite another city symbol, the Cibeles Fountain. Built over a period of nine years, the Alcalá Gate has stood testament to several highs and lows that the city witnessed through the years since its construction.