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Arco de la Victoria
Victory Arch
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At the plaza de la Moncloa, near the Oeste Park outside
the city center stands a large triumphal arch, the Arco
de la Victoria or Victory arch.
Arco de la Victoria
A Franco Legacy
The Arch looks older
than it really is. Dictator Franco had it built in 1956
as a tribute to his Nationalist army who defeated the
republicans during the Spanish civil war (1936-1939).
The Arco de la Victoria is also known as the Puerta
de Moncloa or Moncloa Gate, a name preferred by those
who don't want to be reminded of the late dictator.
The 39m/128ft high imposing arch is
topped by a statue of a four-horse chariot. Franco used
to drive along this route on a regular 
basis
traveling to Madrid's city center from his main residence,
the El Pardo Palace.
Arco de la Victoria
with the Mirador del
Faro to its right
with the Mirador del
Faro to its right
Lookout
The Arco de la Victoria is not open
to visitors, although there is a room inside the arch
with a model of the nearby university as well as the
plans for the arch.
Not far from the arch is the Mirador del Faro,
also known as the Faro de Moncloa or Faro de Madrid.
This futuristic looking tower was built in 1992 as a
communication center. Unfortunately the 92m / 300ft tower's observatory closed in 2005.
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- Next: Prado Museum
Location
Avenida de la Victoria
Subway
Argüelles (M3,M4,M6)
