Arche de los Cuchilleros

The Arch of Cuchilleros, in Madrid

The Arch of Cuchilleros is a monumental gate that marks one of the entrances of the Plaza Mayor of Madrid. The Madrid audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this spectacular arch, linking the square to the lively district of Cava San Miguel.

A monumental entrance of the Plaza Mayor

The Arch of Cuchilleros, or Arco de Cuchilleros, is a magnificent arch created after the fire of the Plaza Mayor in the seventeenth century, to completely close the square. It was one of the main entrances, linking the square to the Cava San Miguel, in the district of the cutlers that gave it its name. Due to the slope of the ground, the arch reaches an impressive height, dominating a monumental staircase. It is one of the most spectacular and photogenic accesses of the Plaza Mayor.

What to see

You admire the monumental arch of an impressive height, dominating a staircase, which links the Plaza Mayor to the lively district of Cava San Miguel. The Arch of Cuchilleros is one of the most spectacular accesses of the square. It is a photogenic stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Arch of Cuchilleros lies at one of the entrances of the Plaza Mayor, in the heart of old Madrid, reachable on foot. It is an open-air monument, freely passable at all times from the public space. You discover it during a walk around the Plaza Mayor.

Why was the Arch of Cuchilleros created?

After the fire of the Plaza Mayor in the seventeenth century, to completely close the square; it linked the square to the Cava San Miguel, in the district of the cutlers.

Where is the Arch of Cuchilleros?

At one of the entrances of the Plaza Mayor, in the heart of old Madrid.