Medieval walls

The story and heritage of this place

Among today's streets, a different Algeciras appears: a city that needed to control its entrances, defend its port and negotiate its place between two shores. The medieval walls are not a backdrop for a quick photograph. They invite you to imagine crossing an urban boundary when a gate had military importance. The surviving complex belongs to the Marinid fortification built between 1279 and 1285.

Its remains reveal stretches of wall, towers, an outer wall and a moat, as well as the entrance associated with the Puerta del Fonsario. The name refers to the cemetery outside the enclosure. The destruction of the city in the fourteenth century and the later reoccupation of its site explain why we now read the defensive system through fragments and excavations. Begin by looking at the distance between the wall and the moat.

Then identify the changes of direction in the approach: what matters is not just a wall's height, but how it controls the movement of someone trying to enter. Compare the remains with the level of modern streets to perceive the layering of cities. Follow the panels and distinguish original remains from later presentation work. The municipal walk connects the Alfonso XI area with Avenida Virgen del Carmen.

Explore the designated areas and check the interpretation centre's opening times if you want to extend the visit. From here, Plaza Alta forms a logical continuation through the city; the contrast between medieval fortification and modern square is one of the best introductions to local history.