English
The Puerta de Alcalá finds itself in the Plaza de la Independencia in Madrid and it´s one of the main monuments in the city. The original gate, which was situated close to the one that exists today, was built in 1599 for Margaret of Austria, who was the wife of King Felipe III.
But 150 years later, when Carlos III occupied the Spanish throne, he wanted to re-design it and the Italian architect Francisco Sabatini was in charge of the project. In 1764 the Puerta de Alcalá was demolished and at that same time the works to build the one that exists now began.
The monument occupies a place in the east of the city and it´s in the middle of Alcalá Street, one of the oldest in the whole of Madrid and which starts from the Puerta del Sol and finishes in the town of Alcalá de Henares.
There are six statues in the upper part of the gate that decorate it, which were made by the artists Francisco Gutiérrez and Roberto Michel. Also, in the middle of the gate, there´s a plaque which says “REGE CARLO III ANNO MDCCLXXVIII” which commemorates the inauguration date which was headed by King Carlos III.
You can visit the Puerta de Alcalá, but before you should get accomodation in Madrid.
