Puerta de Europa

Puerta de Europa

Puerta de Europa are twin office towers in Madrid, Spain, standing 114 meters tall with 26 floors, built between 1990 and 1996. Puerta de Europa were designed by American architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee, and constructed by the Kuwait Investment Office (KIO), hence their original name “KIO Towers”.

Each tower of Puerta de Europa is tilted at a 15-degree angle, making them the world’s first inclined skyscrapers. They are located near Chamartín Railway Station, on the side of Plaza de Castilla bus station, north of Paseo de la Castellana, close to the Four Towers Business Area (CTBA) in Madrid. After the KIO Towers scandal, the Kuwait Investment Office sold the buildings, which are now owned by Caja Madrid. The west tower has a blue rooftop helipad, while the east tower has a red one; the two rooftops can accommodate up to four helicopters simultaneously. It is said that the sloped undersides of the towers can shelter a thousand people from the rain.

Puerta de Europa resembles an open archway, with a constant flow of vehicles passing beneath, exuding grandeur and offering a truly spectacular sight — perfectly fitting its impressive title, “Gate of Europe”.

Gate of Europe

Must-visit reason: The world’s first built inclined skyscraper

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Spain[Spain]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Autonomous Community of Madrid [Madrid Autonomous Community]

City where the attraction is located: Madrid [Madrid]