Thursday 9 October 2008

Alcalá Gate...


The Alcalá Gate, situated on Independence square, was built in 1778 under the order of the king Carlos III, as a monumental gate in the city wall to pass the road which leads to the nearby city of Alcalá de Henares, replacing an older gate which stood nearby.
The Gate work of the architect Francisco Sabatini is one of Madrid most visited monuments.

Across the central arch of the gate, you can see the church I posted some days ago.

To know more.

19 comments:

Ivar Østtun said...

A beautiful construction. And as a Sky Watch Team member I can tell that this would be an excellent SWF post. Feel free to join at www.skyley.blogspot.com :-)

Tanya Breese said...

So beautifully amazing! Your city has such wonderful archetecture and I agree, this is a great skywatch photo, those swooshy clouds look painted in!

Tanya Breese said...

I mean architecture

Olivier said...

belle photo, cette porte est tres superbe. c'est du HDR ?

beautiful picture, the door is very nice. is HDR?

EG CameraGirl said...

What a magnificent gate! The people in the foreground give an ide of how big it is.

PJ said...

I came here to agree, beautiful Sky Watch Friday posting. Hope to see you there!

Copenhagen said...

I love this gate!

Virginia said...

Absolutely gorgeous and so large I think I would have to stand there with my mouth open in wonder! I really enjoy your photographs so very much.

Rob said...

Wonderful gate to the city. I did not realize Madrid was a walled city.

Louis la Vache said...

Outstanding photo of this magnificent gate!

Mariposa said...

the flowers are beautiful..i remember them. They were a stunning shade of fuschia!

Unknown said...

Very nice photo of the gate! Já passei aí muitas vezes! :-)

sonia a. mascaro said...

Wonderful photo! The Alcalá Gate is amazing!

Jane Hards Photography said...

Marvellous gate. Thanks for the mini history lesson too.

Lucky Dip Lisa said...

I've updatd my Tauranga DP blog to include yours. Thanks!
Lisa

http://lisasarsfield.wordpress.com

Uma por Dia said...

I've never been to Madrid, so I'm learning and its beautiful...and I love the angle :)

Dora said...

The clouds look so feathery.

Greyhound Girl said...

Until I visited your blog I never knew anything about your city- which I have decided has to be filled with some of the most beautiful architecture in the world. Another amazing shot.

Kitty said...

I like the sky in this photo.
Madrid seems so stately from what I've seen on your blog.

A friend of mine is from Madrid and is visiting home now, and it's no wonder. Looks like a perfect time to be there.