Puerta de Alcala

Located on a large roundabout in Madrid's Independencia Square, this neoclassical gate was one of the five ancient entrances to the city. The gate got its name because it stands on the road that leads to Alcalá de Henares. Its appearance is similar to the triumphal arches built by the Romans, and it was designed by the Italian architect Francesco Sabatini. Its construction was completed in 1778 AD, and since then the statues, inscriptions, and columns that adorn the five arches have undergone five restorations, and they are now wonderfully present. This gate is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Madrid, and it is worth seeing at night, to admire its impressively lit facade.