Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
4 min of reading 
0 comments 
Carbon-14 dating confirmed that the wooden gate of the Torre de Lujanes, located in the Habsburgs’ quarter, dates back to 1415, has remained preserved for over six centuries, and now reinforces the importance of medieval heritage still visible in Madrid’s historic center.
Carbon-14 dating has confirmed that the oldest existing civil gate in Madrid dates back to 1415 and is located in the Habsburgs’ quarter, at the beginning of Calle del Codo. The discovery was made based on analyses carried out by the University of Salamanca and reinforces the historical value of the Torre de Lujanes, one of the oldest buildings in the Spanish capital.
The scientific confirmation ends decades of uncertainty about the age of the structure, seen daily by residents and tourists circulating in the area. Until now, the medieval origin of the gate was supported by oral tradition and stylistic characteristics, but without dating proven by laboratory examination.
The result strongly pointed to the year 1415, a period linked to the construction of the Torre de Lujanes by the Luján family, one of Madrid’s most influential during the Late Middle Ages. With this, the gate is now considered a fundamental piece for understanding the urban development of the city’s historic center.
-
From a brigadeiro seller on Augusta Street (SP) to the owner of a millionaire sweet shop that grosses R$2.5 million per year and forms lines in the early hours of the morning: learn about Kleber Adair’s story.
-
The psychology of constant interruptions reveals why some people interrupt others all the time, dominate conversations without realizing it, and turn common dialogues into exhausting and uncomfortable situations.
-
Why can’t planes fly in these places in Brazil? “Invisible areas” in the sky protect military bases, power plants, government centers, and zones where even drones can be blocked by the FAB
-
New free RG with same-day issuance and first-come, first-served service; the community outreach event will also offer debt negotiation, social tariffs, and legal support in Serra (ES).
1415 Gate is located in the Habsburgs’ Quarter
The gate is located between Plaza de la Villa and Calle del Codo, in an area of strong historical presence in the center of Madrid. Its position makes the structure a visible and accessible landmark for those passing through the area, although its importance has long remained less evident compared to other nearby monuments.
Made of walnut wood and reinforced with artisanal wrought ironwork, the gate has withstood successive urban transformations over more than six centuries. The structure remains integrated into the architectural complex of the Torre de Lujanes and is still in operation.
The discovery rekindles interest in the medieval heritage of the Spanish capital, especially in preserved civil elements. The confirmation of its age creates a reference point for studies on historical constructions and the architectural evolution of the city.
How Carbon-14 Dating Confirmed the Age
The study was commissioned by the Royal Economic Society of Madrid, Friends of the Country, to the Laboratory of Ionizing Radiation and Dating at the University of Salamanca. The center is one of only two in Spain capable of performing carbon-14 dating with accelerator mass spectrometry.
To reach the result, small samples of wood chips and sawdust were collected from the gate. The material underwent prior treatment to remove traces of varnish and allow for a more reliable analysis.
The confirmation was presented at a public event promoted by the institution to celebrate its anniversary. The session featured presentations by chemist Miguel Ángel Muñecas Vidal and architect José Manuel Castellanos Oñate, who explained how this type of dating can clarify structural aspects of historic buildings.
Structure Almost Disappeared in the 19th Century
The preservation of the gate is also linked to an episode that occurred in the 19th century, when it was partially walled up. Graphic documents preserved by the Royal Economic Society of Madrid, Friends of the Country, record this partial closure.
This accidental enclosure may have helped protect the structure from demolitions, fires, or renovations that could have led to its disappearance. The wood and iron reinforcements have endured significant urban changes and have reached the present as an active part of the tower.
The conservation of the gate, restored in 1979, now benefits from scientific information that can guide future interventions. The institution responsible for the tower intends to use the data to strengthen preservation efforts for the piece.
Discovery Reinforces Historical Value of Torre de Lujanes
The identification of Madrid’s oldest gate enhances the relevance of the Torre de Lujanes in the city’s heritage. The date 1415 coincides with the construction context associated with the Luján family, indicating that the structure was part of the building from its earliest phases.
The Royal Economic Society of Madrid, Friends of the Country, has occupied the tower since the 18th century. With the new data, the building gains another scientifically confirmed element for its history and for the study of medieval Madrid.
The discovery also strengthens tourist and academic interest in the region. The gate, which remained for centuries in a historic corner of the Habsburgs neighborhood, now takes center stage in understanding the urban past of the Spanish capital.
Be the first to react!