Puerta de Valnadu Plaque

In the heart of Madrid, a silent sentinel whispers tales of a forgotten gateway. The Puerta de Valnadu Plaque marks the spot where a vibrant portal once stood. This plaque, at the corner of Calle de la Unión and Calle de Vergara, commemorates the Puerta de Valnadu. This gate, demolished in 1567, served as an access point in the medieval wall of the city. Imagine Madrid in the 12th century. The Puerta de Valnadu stood as part of the Christian enclosure, leading down to the deep ravine of Las Hontanillas. It was a bustling entryway to the city, a key part of Madrid’s defenses. King Philip II, in his quest to modernize the urban landscape for his newly established court, ordered the gate’s demolition. This act, meant to enhance the grandeur of the capital, erased a piece of Madrid’s medieval past. The Puerta de Valnadu Plaque stands as a reminder of this lost gateway. It offers a glimpse into a time when the city walls defined its boundaries. Jerónimo de la Quintana, writing in 1629, described the Puerta de Valnadu as being near the Treasury House and close to the Palace. He noted its “convoluted and ambiguous” entrance, suggesting a winding passageway designed for defense. Adding to the mystery, Quintana proposed two possible origins for the name “Valnadú.” One theory attributes it to a Moorish guard who oversaw the gate during the Arab rule. The other suggests a derivation from “Balneaduo,” referring to two baths that were supposedly located nearby, a place of royal recreation and natural beauty. Intriguingly, the Puerta de Valnadu also earned the nickname “Devil’s Gate.” This moniker stemmed from a large stone at the gate’s base, bearing five holes and the impression of a hand with sculpted fingers. Legend claimed the Devil himself placed his hand there, leaving his mark. A similar marking exists on a gate in Granada’s Alhambra, representing the “Five Commandments of Muhammad.” The connection to a Christian gate in Madrid remains a curious enigma. The Puerta de Valnadu Plaque, though small and unassuming, serves as a portal to Madrid’s rich and layered past. It invites us to reflect on the city’s evolution and the vestiges of history that lie hidden beneath our feet. As you stand before this plaque, let your imagination transport you back to the days of the medieval city. Picture the Puerta de Valnadu in its prime, a vital artery of life and defense.