Walls of Philip II facts for kids
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The Walls of Philip II (called cerca de Felipe II in Spanish) were old walls built around the city of Madrid. King Philip II ordered them to be built in 1566. These walls helped the king control who entered and left the city. They also helped manage taxes and keep the city healthy. The walls surrounded an area of about 125 hectares (309 acres).
Contents
Why Madrid Needed New Walls
Madrid was growing fast in the 1500s. King Philip II wanted to make sure everything was organized. He needed a way to collect taxes on goods coming into the city. He also wanted to stop diseases from spreading. The new walls helped with both these important tasks. They made it easier to check people and goods at the city's entrances.
Where the Walls Stood
The Walls of Philip II were very long. They started near the older Christian Walls. From there, they went through many streets that are still in Madrid today.
Some of the streets the walls followed include:
- Calle Segovia
- Calle de las Aguas
- Calle Águila
- Calle Calatrava
- Calle Santa Ana
- Calle Juanelo
- Calle Cabeza
- Calle Magdalena
- Calle Echegaray
- Calle Cedaceros
- Calle Arlabán
- Calle Virgen de los Peligros
- Calle Aduana
- Calle Montera
- Gran Vía
The new walls also connected to the Walls del Arrabal near Plaza del Callao.
Main Gates and Entrances
The Walls of Philip II had eight main gates. These gates were important entry points for people and goods. There were also smaller access points called postigos.
Here are some of the main gates:
- Puerta de la Vega: This gate was part of an even older Arab wall. It was rebuilt in 1708 and taken down in 1814.
- Puerta de Segovia: Located near the Puente de Segovia. This gate connected Madrid to roads leading to Castile and Extremadura.
- Puerta de Toledo: You could find this gate on Calle Toledo.
- Puerta de Antón Martín: This gate was in the area now known as Plaza de Antón Martín. It was named after a hospital nearby.
- Puerta del Sol: A new gate built in the famous Puerta del Sol area. It replaced an older gate that stood further forward.
- Puerta de la Red de San Luis: Located on Calle Montera. This gate was the way out to towns like Hortaleza and Fuencarral. It was named after a nearby church.
- Postigo de San Martín: This was a smaller entrance that belonged to the Walls del Arrabal.
- Puerta de Santo Domingo: Another gate that was part of the Walls del Arrabal.
Where to See Remains Today
Even though most of the walls are gone, you can still see some parts. You can find remains of these old walls on Calle de Bailén. They are located next to the extension of the Palacio del Senado. These small sections give us a peek into Madrid's past.
See also
In Spanish: Cerca de Felipe II para niños
