Puerta de Alcalá
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Why go
- The first triumphal arch of its kind built after the fall of the Roman Empire.
- Five openings: three carriage arches and two pedestrian gates.
- A more ornate outer-facing side, with a royal coat of arms held by Fame and a child.
- Four child figures representing fortitude, justice, temperance and prudence.
Interesting facts5
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The gate was one of Madrid’s five royal toll gates, where taxes were collected on goods entering the city.
Puerta de Alcalá - Wikipedia -
44 metres
It measures about 44 metres wide and 22 metres high.
Puerta de Alcalá - Wikipedia -
Its structure uses granite from Colmenar Viejo, Alpedrete and Hoyo de Manzanares, with limestone decoration from Colmenar de Oreja.
Porte d'Alcalá - Wikipedia -
Francisco Gutiérrez and Roberto Michel sculpted its ornamental details.
Puerta de Alcalá - Wikipedia -
Its name refers to the road to Alcalá de Henares, Cervantes’ hometown.
Puerta de Alcalá | Tourism Madrid
Shorts
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MENÚ 10€ en la PUERTA de ALCALÁ - MADRID!!Cenando con Pablo
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la puerta de alcala # salsa rosadaIvan Meza
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🇪🇸 Visita a la Puerta de Alcalá, icono de MadridNicolas Landson
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LA PUERTA DE ALCALÁ - LA GRABDE DE MADRID - CARLOS NUÑOlos grandes de la salsa
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CARLOS III Y LA PUERTA DE ALCALAAPRENDE CON MOYSESKA
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3 Datos sobre la Puerta de AlcaláDecorarte Madrid
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La Puerta de Alcalá, MadridEl Viajero Exquisito
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Así nació “La Puerta de Alcalá” 🇪🇸🎶 | La historia que unió la balada …Disetti Music
History
The gate once formed part of the Walls of Philip IV. Shepherds drove migrating flocks through its openings along Calle de Alcalá, then a seasonal livestock route; these crossings have fallen out of use. Ana Belén and Víctor Manuel popularised the song “La Puerta de Alcalá” in 1985. Thirty Seconds to Mars, Katy Perry and Linkin Park performed at the gate during the 2010 MTV Europe Music Awards. WorldPride’s closing ceremony and concert took place there in 2017.
- 16th c.An earlier gate stood on the road to Alcalá de Henares.
- 1759Charles III entered Madrid through the old gate and ordered its replacement because he disliked it.
- 1769Plans for the new gate were drawn up by Francesco Sabatini.
- 1778The new gate was inaugurated.
- 1823Cannon fire struck the gate near the end of the Trienio Liberal; impact marks remain visible.
Show all
- 1869The defensive enclosure was removed as Plaza de la Independencia took its present form.
- 1976The gate and Plaza de la Independencia received national historic-artistic monument protection.
How to get there
- TrainRetiro station on Metro line 2 serves the monument.
- On footFrom Atocha station, follow Calle de Alfonso XII towards Plaza de la Independencia.
- On footThe gate occupies the centre of the roundabout. Calle de Alcalá crosses the square; Alfonso XII, Serrano and Olózaga begin there.
- BikeNearby cycle docking stations are at Calle Valenzuela 3, Calle Serrano 8 and Calle Alcalá 95.
Sources: Puerta de Alcalá - Wikipedia · Puerta de Alcalá | Tourism Madrid · Puerta de Alcalá - Wikipedia · Puerta de Alcalá - Wikipedia · Porte d'Alcalá - Wikipedia · checked 28 Sep 2026
Questions and answers
Which travellers once entered Madrid through Puerta de Alcalá?
It admitted travellers arriving from Aragon, Catalonia and France.
How does Puerta de Alcalá compare with Madrid’s other gates?
It has five openings; Puerta de Toledo and Puerta de San Vicente each have three.
Who else proposed a design for Puerta de Alcalá?
Charles III chose Francesco Sabatini’s design over proposals by Ventura Rodríguez and José de Hermosilla.
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