 |
| Puerta de Jerez - the only remaining gate in Tarifa's old city walls. |
Puerta de Jerez
Jerez Gate is a medieval gateway and the only entrance through the old Moorish city walls that remains today of the four original ones - as the name suggests, this gate gave access to the road northwards to Jerez de la Frontera.
Tarifa - built in the Moorish style, set in subtropical gardens leading down to the unspoilt beach.
Stylish & contemporary hotel close to unspoilt beaches. Gardens and large pool. Ideal for families.
The arched gate is flanked by two crenellated towers from a later date. Above the single pointed arch is a plaque explaining a key date in the history of Tarifa: when King Sancho IV, whose statue you can see by the Castillo de Guzman El Bueno, conquered the city from the Moors.
MUY NOBLE MUY LEAL, HEROICA CIUDAD DE TARIFA, GANADA A LOS MOROS REINADO SANCHO IV EL BRAVO EN 21 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1292
The arch would originally have had a wooden gate, but this is no longer in place, so you can pass through it freely. Vehicles going into the old town still pass through the arch - with care.
The city walls were constructed by the Moors, and some claim the gate dates back to the ninth century; but other evidence suggests it was built when the city was under the control of Benimerí (Moorish dynasty) in the 13th century. The Christians certainly rebuilt or reinforced the defensive walls and gates in the 14th century.
In 2000 it was restored and incorporates the painting "El Cristo de los Vientos" by local artist Guillermo Perez Villata.
