San Andrés Gate, the City Walls and the Jewish Quarter

The San Andrés Gate, in Plaza del Socorro, was the entrance to the Jewish Quarter from the south. Inside is the Walls Information Centre (Espacio Informativo de la Muralla), which explains the circuit and lets you look out from the top. Two minutes away, the Jewish Quarter Interpretation Centre (Centro Didáctico de la Judería) tells the story of Segovia's Jewish community up to 1492.

What you see

The gate, restored in the 16th century and flanked by one round and one square tower, is one of the three that survive of the seven the walls once had. That is why the whole circuit is explained here: how it encircled the upper town above the Eresma and Clamores valleys, and which stretches are still standing. From the top you look out over the southern slope, with the Clamores valley and, opposite, the hillside of El Pinarillo, where the Jewish cemetery of the Cuesta de los Hoyos lay for more than two centuries.

Once through the gate you enter the old Jewish Quarter. Between the 13th and 14th centuries Segovia had an important Jewish community, of noble and humble families alike, living alongside their Christian neighbours. The Interpretation Centre occupies part of the house of Abraham Seneor, chief rabbi of the Jewish communities of Castile, and is a modern, interactive museum on the history, customs and trades of the city's Sephardic Jews.

The Jewish Quarter on foot

From the Interpretation Centre, the streets of the Jewish Quarter climb towards the cathedral. On Calle Juan Bravo stands the former Main Synagogue, now the church of Corpus Christi, consecrated for Catholic worship between 1373 and 1419: it has an entrance courtyard and three aisles separated by horseshoe arches on octagonal pillars. If you have time and energy for more walking, go on down to the Jewish cemetery of El Pinarillo, outside the walls.

Opening hours and prices

San Andrés Gate: every day from 10:00 to 14:00; €2 standard and €1 reduced, free on Wednesdays that are not public holidays. Jewish Quarter Interpretation Centre: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 18:00, Sunday from 10:00 to 13:00; €3 standard, €2 reduced, with a daily guided visit at 13:00 (book by 12:30). Telephone: 921 461 297 and 921 462 396. As opening hours change with the season, check with the tourist office before you go.

From the Plaza Mayor it takes about ten minutes, walking down Calle de la Judería Vieja or past the cathedral.