The KIO Towers, officially known as Puerta de Europa, are two of the most recognizable buildings in Madrid. Standing at Plaza de Castilla on the Paseo de la Castellana, these dramatic leaning skyscrapers have become an unmistakable symbol of the Spanish capital.

In this episode, we explore the architecture and history of the KIO Towers, from Madrid’s expansion north and the transformation of Plaza de Castilla to the ambitious design by architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee. We look at how the towers were engineered to lean, the structural challenges hidden behind their simple form, the financial troubles that stopped construction, and how an unfinished corporate project eventually became one of Madrid’s most famous landmarks.

Whether you’re interested in modern architecture, skyscraper design, Madrid architecture and urban planning, or you’re simply planning a trip to Madrid and want to understand the buildings you’ll see around Plaza de Castilla and the Castellana, this is the story behind one of the city’s most unusual sights.

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