Sabatini's design called for a neoclassical granite gate with three large archways and two smaller, rectangular passageways. Each of the archways is decorated with a lion's head, sculpted by Roberto Michel. The top of the gate is decorated with statues by Francisco Guttiérrez.
Construction of the gate took 9 years, it was finally completed in 1778. The gate soon became one of Madrid's symbols. It is now classified as a national monument.