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Puerta de Alcalá
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In the middle of busy Plaza de la Independencia on the eastern side of Madrid proper stands one of city's best known landmarks, Puerta de Alcalá or Alcala Gate. Located on Calle de Alcalá, one of Madrid’s major arteries and only a few feet from the main entrance to Parque del Buen Retiro, the massive gate was once the main entrance to the city from the province of Aragon. Surrounded by the city’s walls, it was from Puerta de Alcalá that the authorities controlled access to the capital and levied customs duties.
The original gate was built in 1599 but King Carlos III thought it "less than worthy of his city" and in 1764 had the original gate demolished and replaced with the far more imposing one we see today. Carlos selected the design of Italian architect Francesco Sabatini to replace the original small 16th century Baroque gate. Construction began in 1769 and was completed in 1778.
Sabatini's design called for a Neo-Classical monumental granite gate with three large archways and two smaller rectangular passageways. Each of the archways is decorated with the head of a lion sculpted by Roberto Michel. The top of the gate is decorated with statues by Francisco Guttiérrez.
The four statues on top of the gate represent the four cardinal virtues of Prudence, Justice, Temperance and Fortitude (Courage). Justice is depicted with a balance and scales; Temperance with a stirrup, Courage with a spear and shield and Prudence with a mirror. The empty trusses on the west side appear abandoned and are allegory of the exaltation of peace.
The raised central part at the gate's highest point has a plaque which reads: "REGE CARLO III ANNO MDCCLXXVIII." This commemorates the date of the gate's inauguration by King Carlos III. Standing just a hair under 64 feet tall (19.5 meters) Puerta de Alcalá immediately became one of Madrid's symbols and is now a national monument.
Trivia Fun: Because Calle de Alcalá is traditionally considered a cañada real or a special route for moving livestock on a seasonal basis; during the Blessing of the Animals on the feast day of Saint Anthony, flocks of sheep and other animals can be seen passing through the gate as their owners bring them to Church.
And more Trivia Fun: In 1985 the gate was immortalized in song when Ana Belén and Victor Manuel released a record called, "La Puerta de Alcalá" which went on to become a huge success in Spain and throughout South America.
The original gate was built in 1599 but King Carlos III thought it "less than worthy of his city" and in 1764 had the original gate demolished and replaced with the far more imposing one we see today. Carlos selected the design of Italian architect Francesco Sabatini to replace the original small 16th century Baroque gate. Construction began in 1769 and was completed in 1778.
Sabatini's design called for a Neo-Classical monumental granite gate with three large archways and two smaller rectangular passageways. Each of the archways is decorated with the head of a lion sculpted by Roberto Michel. The top of the gate is decorated with statues by Francisco Guttiérrez.
The four statues on top of the gate represent the four cardinal virtues of Prudence, Justice, Temperance and Fortitude (Courage). Justice is depicted with a balance and scales; Temperance with a stirrup, Courage with a spear and shield and Prudence with a mirror. The empty trusses on the west side appear abandoned and are allegory of the exaltation of peace.
The raised central part at the gate's highest point has a plaque which reads: "REGE CARLO III ANNO MDCCLXXVIII." This commemorates the date of the gate's inauguration by King Carlos III. Standing just a hair under 64 feet tall (19.5 meters) Puerta de Alcalá immediately became one of Madrid's symbols and is now a national monument.
Trivia Fun: Because Calle de Alcalá is traditionally considered a cañada real or a special route for moving livestock on a seasonal basis; during the Blessing of the Animals on the feast day of Saint Anthony, flocks of sheep and other animals can be seen passing through the gate as their owners bring them to Church.
And more Trivia Fun: In 1985 the gate was immortalized in song when Ana Belén and Victor Manuel released a record called, "La Puerta de Alcalá" which went on to become a huge success in Spain and throughout South America.
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