Arche de los Cuchilleros

Linguistics
Monument

Emilie

Published on 20/06/2025

This point of interest is available as audio on the tour: Visit Madrid, From the Royal Palace to La Latina

This beautiful archway is called the Arco de los Cuchilleros. It was built as part of a plan to enclose the square, after a fire had damaged Plaza Mayor in the 17th century. It served as one of its main entrances, linking it to Cava de San Miguel. Its impressive height comes from the difference in elevation between the two streets. The name comes from the Spanish word cuchillo, meaning “knife”, because this street was once lined with knife sellers, who set up shop here to be close to the butchers in the square.