This is the monumental entrance to my Madrid and from which I always entered the city when living there. I have no words to describe it every time I see passing by it with my late dear Mom Gladys and Dad Elio , and later my dear late wife Martine,and now the 3 boys, and dog Rex, memories for a lifetime. This is the Puera de Alcalà of Madrid, part II !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The Puerta de Alcalá is one of the five old Royal gates that gave access to the city of Madrid. It is located in the center of the roundabout of the Plaza de la Independencia. At the crossroads of the streets of Alcalá, Alfonso XII, Serrano and Salustiano Olózaga, next to the gates of the Retiro park such as the Puerta de España, Puerta de la Independencia and Puerta de Hernani. The outline of the enclosure is formed by buildings from the late 19C and early 20C, built during the widening of Madrid. The gate or Puerta de Alcalà gave access to those travelers who formerly entered the town from France or Aragon. At present it is a monumental gate that is located near the Cibeles Fountain and next to the Retiro Park. It was built by mandate of Carlos III in substitution of another previous gate that already existed since the 16C. It is a gate of neoclassical style and monumental aspect, erected looking its exterior to the east in 1778. The gate has subsequently been restored several times in more than two centuries of existence, being the last just this year 2023. The originality of its construction consists in being the first triumphal arch built in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire! The neoclassical-style Puerta de Alcalà has a width of about 44 meters and culminates at 22 meters in height. The sculptures of children who crown the gate represent the four cardinal virtues. Made by Francisco Gutiérrez Arribas, these sculptures are sometimes referred to as the Angels of Peace. The Puerta de Alcalá is modernized, and a more suitable environment and designed in the form of a square around it. This was decided to be call the Plaza de la Independencia square in honor of Spanish independence (against dictator Napoleon) ,and specifically the defenders of Zaragoza.
The name of the Puerta de Alcalá, like that of the street with the same name, comes from being located on the road that existed to go to Alcalá de Henares.(see posts) The name gate is also no coincidence since, in its origins, it was one of the five gates that gave access to the town of Madrid. It is today, the longest street in Madrid with 10.5 km long. If we look closely,you see, crowning the Puerta de Alcalà gate, at its highest point and above the central arch, on the east side appears the Royal Coat of Arms of the time, the Shield of the Bourbons and the Royal Crown, held by the “Fame” of the time , and a child who represents “Genius”. Just on the opposite side, the gate is crowned by what appears to be the torsos of reclining warriors. Empty armor would symbolize peace. If you go down a little further, on the east side above the gate, there are four children representing the four virtues: Fortitude, Temperance, Justice and Prudence. Just on the opposite façade, resting on the cornice, some trumps without faces appear that represent different victories. And if you look just above each arch on the east face, the face of a satyr appears symbolizing fertility, on its opposite façade there is the face of a lion symbolizing sovereignty, vigilance and protection of peace. Another significant point to note is that on the lintels of the extreme doors, on the east side, there are cards with floral decorations that would symbolize fertility, on the opposite side those cards are cornucopias that represent abundance.
The Plaza de la Independencia or Independence Square is crossed, from east to west, by Calle de Alcalá street and the streets of Serrano, and Alfonso XII, also converge. Also Calle Salustiano Olózaga and, Avenida de Méjico begins, which runs entirely through El Retiro Park. The sqaure has one of the most symbolic monument in Madrid, the Puerta de Alcalá, The outline of the enclosure is made up of buildings from the late 19C and early 20C, built during the expansion of Madrid. You have my favorite entrance the Puerta de la Independencia, to the Retiro Park., The square was developed in the style of Parisian squares. In 1869, the buildings of the old Pósito, the remains of the wall attached to the Puerta de Alcalà, were demolished, and an area of the Retiro was annexed to this square, forming a group of great harmony underlined by the adjacent buildings, inhabited by families of the old Madrid bourgeoisie.
A popular song I like called La Puerta de Alcalá in which they tell the story of the monument. Recorded in 1986 by singers Víctor Manuel and Ana Belén in their album “Para la ternura siempre hay tiempo” or for tenderness there is always time.Awesome!
The Madrid tourist office on the Puerta de Alcalà: https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-information/puerta-de-alcala
There you go folks, a huge monument not to be missed when in Madrid. The best sight, a memory lane shock but always a must to see in my Madrid. Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Puera de Alcalà of Madrid, part II !!! as I
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 