CALLE DE ALCALA

Founded at the beginning of XV century and called initially «de los Olivares». Just two streets went through the city , and that´s why Alcalá street is one of the most famous in Madrid. With a length of 10 km., is the longest and one of the oldest streets of the capital. This street starts in Puerta del Sol and extends by the northeast to Avenida de la Hispanidad.

Junnot marshal said that was one of the most beautiful streets of Europe. The name of Alcalá is because it was the causeway to the east, until the city of Alcalá de Henares.

Next to the park «del Buen Retiro» and crossed by this street, is one of the most famous monuments of the city and Spain: Puerta de Alcalá, ordered to build by the king Carlos III, to receive the travelers from Aragón, Cataluña or France. This project was commisioned to the architect Francsico de Sabatini. Puerta de Alcalá was inaugurated in 1778.

In this street we can also find the fountain of the goddess Cibeles, in the square with the same name.