Puerta de Alcalá, Madrid

Trying to find a postcard rack that doesn't include Madrid's famed Puerta de Alcalá, is like searching for a Madrid mother that can't make a Tortilla Española (Spanish Omelet). Just a few minutes walk down from the Palacio de Communicacíones on Gran Vía, this impressive arco is one of the two remaining gates the great city walls that once protected Madrid.

Located in the Plaza de la Independencía, this famed door is now home to countless city protests and celebrations.

The official home of the Spanish language (never spoken in Madrid), is the the Royal Language Academy (Real Academía Española de la Lengua).

You can see where King Juan Carlos (and his predecessors) was crowned at Madrid's society church, San Jerónimo el Real. This was also host to the royal wedding between Prince Felipe and Princess Letezia.

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