La puerta de Puerta del Sol se somete a su primera limpieza en 30 años

The iconic clock in Puerta del Sol has stopped ringing and will not do so for at least over two weeks, undergoing its first cleaning process in nearly thirty years. Europa Press reported that Jesús López Terradas, one of the responsible producers of the works, mentioned that the last time the pieces of this Madrid icon were dismantled and removed from their ordinary space was in 1996, with him present during that procedure.

The mechanism, hidden behind the minute hand visible from the street, needs intervention to prevent «such wear and tear» that has ultimately affected its functionality. «It’s very simple. When a car runs for 30 years without stopping, day and night, you have to clean it. You have to clean it,» he explained.

A process that is taking place now as it was noticed, according to López Terradas, that the clock was gradually losing strength. Therefore, cleaning the components of the mechanism is not just a matter of hygiene or aesthetics, but it will also ensure accurate timekeeping in the future.

To ensure that the clock (its former name being «La Vigilancia del Gobierno») does not stop for too long, the process has been divided into three different phases. The works started with an intervention in the elements that produce the sounds of the bells in the chambers. It was not until last night, from Tuesday to Wednesday, that the silence was finally achieved.

The minute hand will come to a complete stop next week when the second phase of the restoration process begins. At that point, the main cleaning and adjustment mechanism in the workshop will be dismantled. It will remain stationary for approximately one week until it is reinstalled and reconnected in the final phase.

«In summary, among other things, it will only be stopped for one week,» confirmed López, emphasizing the priority given to a cleaning and restoration process that minimizes downtime.

Finally, in the third phase scheduled for two weeks, the movement will be reinstalled, and the sounds of the bells and hours will be reconnected, allowing the clock to tick once again. «In total, considering what has been done and what is left to do, it will be completed in two or two and a half weeks,» estimated the clock producer.

Unlike the restoration carried out in 1996, where the clock was completely dismantled and transferred to an external workshop while the building was also under construction, this time the process will be faster and less invasive. «It was much more worn out,» recalled the clockmaker.

In this intervention, the priority was the complete restoration of the building, which allowed more time to dismantle and adjust the clock before returning it to its original location. Now, the strategy is different as the mechanism has not been entirely transferred. Only some components, like the sound system, were taken to the workshop, while the rest of the work was done on-site.

The restoration will conclude with the final assembly of the movement and the reconnection of the sounds of the bells and hours. The process is expected to be finished within two or two and a half weeks, ensuring that the iconic clock will be in perfect condition to fulfill its traditional significance on New Year’s Eve. «At least ‘Lavadito’ will be, that’s for sure,» joked the clockmaker.

FUENTE