What to see in the Calle and Puerta de Alcalá in Madrid
Calle de Alcalá is one of the main streets in Madrid and the longest in the city with more than 10 km in length.
But the main section that should be visited is the one that is closest to Puerta del Sol or Plaza de Cibeles. In it is also the Puerta de Alcalá, the most famous of the gates of Madrid.
Walking down this street is quite an experience, both during the day to admire its stately buildings and at night to see its lighting.
Look at the Puerta de Alcalá
In the Plaza de la Independencia and in one of the corners of the Parque del Retiro we can find the Puerta de Alcalá, one of the main symbols of the city.
It was built by order of Carlos III being the architect Sabatini.
The Puerta de Alcalá consists of 5 arches, the two lateral ones with lintels and the three central ones semicircular. The Puerta de Alcalá has two completely different facades.
The interior facade, the one that overlooks the Plaza de Cibeles, represents the 4 cardinal virtues: Temperance, Fortitude, Justice and Prudence. The exterior facade can be considered the most beautiful.
It consists of 10 granite statues with Ionic order capitals. The common point on both facades is the inscription «Rege Carolo III. Anno MDCCLXXVII”.
As a curiosity to say that its name is due to the fact that it was on the road that linked Madrid with Alcalá de Henares. Surely you also remember the famous song that Ana Belén and Víctor Manuel dedicated to it.
What to see in Calle de Alcalá in Madrid
In the Calle de Alcalá we can find many other monuments apart from the Puerta de Alcalá.
It is also one of the oldest streets in Madrid since its construction began in the fifteenth century and grew as the city expanded.
Among the most interesting buildings that we can find, in the part closest to Puerta del Sol, are the Casa de la Aduana, which is the headquarters of the Ministry of Finance or the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando.
Also noteworthy are the Casino de Madrid, from 1836 and witness to selected gatherings, and the spectacular Banco de Bilbao Building with its stained glass windows, the sculptures on the façade and, above all, the chariots on its roof.
Other important buildings are the Alcázar Theater, one of the most famous in Madrid, the Unión y el Fénix Building, the Calatravas Church, the Metrópolis Building, shared with the Gran Vía and crowned by the Winged Victory statue, the Central Bank Building, headquarters of the Cervantes Institute and the Círculo de Bellas Artes, with a terrace from which you have beautiful views.
Of course also highlight its confluence with the Plaza de Cibeles and the Plaza de la Independencia.
