The current Puerta de Madrid, built in 1788, replaced a medieval gate in the old fortified wall of the city due to its narrow and bow-shaped structure, making access difficult. It was funded by Cardenal Lorenzana during the reign of Carlos III. Architect Antonio Juana Jordán led the construction, creating a neoclassical design featuring a triangular pediment and inscriptions on both sides.
On the city side (east), the inscription reads: «A EXPENSAS DEL ARZOBISPO DE TOLEDO EL EXCMO. SEÑOR D. FRANCISCO ANTONIO LORENZANA». On the outer side (west), it reads: «REYNANDO CARLOS III. AÑO DE MDCCLXXXVIII». The space behind Puerta de Madrid was previously known as Plaza de la Cebada, now Plaza Puerta de Madrid, where the streets of Cardenal Sandoval y Rojas and Cardenal Cisneros, Andrés Saborit, and Avenida de Madrid converge.
Puerta de Madrid is often compared to Madrid's Puerta de Alcalá, built in 1778, which only differs by ten years. The gate has also appeared in films, such as the triumphant procession of Spartacus, which passes under an arc built for that purpose. The structure is considered the last architectural work of the splendor of Alcalá.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nik Frost
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