Spain’s capital has since grown outwards in all directions and the old city gate stands as a picturesque monument to the past right in the centre of hustling, bustling, modern-day Madrid. Midway through the 18th century, King Carlos III commissioned a new gate to take the place of the less impressive original which had stood there since 1559. The new gate was built in conjunction with the architect Francisco Sabatini, with most of the decorative work (the friezes, reliefs and statues) drawn up by Robert de Michel and Francisco Gutiérrez.