Circuit of the wall by its gates

The wall of Jerez de los Caballeros runs 1,700 m round the hill and keeps 18 of its 26 towers standing. It was built in Muslim times and rebuilt by the Order of the Temple after the conquest of 1230. Walking it by its gates is the best way to understand the city: it is free, can be done at any time and in an hour leaves you at Plaza de España.

The six gates

It had six gates and two remain complete, at opposite ends of the enclosure.

The Burgos gate, to the east, takes its name from the road to Burguillos del Cerro. It has a pointed opening with granite voussoirs and pyramidal crenellations. It was damaged in 1706, repaired in 1707 and rebuilt in the mid-19th century. Beside it is the statue of Hernando de Soto, another conquistador from Jerez.

The Villa gate, to the west, the most important, opens onto Plaza de España: a semicircular granite arch, remains of a machicolation and an interior ramped, bent passage covered with brick vaults. Next to it is the small chapel of San Antoñito.

Of the other four, remains survive. The Santiago gate, or Alhóndiga gate, keeps part of its tower beside the chapel of Santiago and one of the round towers that is best seen. The Puerta Nueva, the last to be opened, in 1659, can be partly recognised among the houses. Of the Alconchel gate there are remains embedded in later buildings, and the Seville gate, to the south, has disappeared: it survives only in the layout of the streets.

The route

The tourist office proposes this circuit:

1. Start at the Burgos gate, beside the statue of Hernando de Soto.
2. Go up Calle Templarios.
3. Reach the Templar alcazaba, with the Bloody Tower and views over the dehesa.
4. Go down Corazón de María and cross the bend of the Villa gate to Plaza de España.

Allow an hour at a leisurely pace. The streets are cobbled and sloping: comfortable shoes, and in summer, better first thing or at dusk. Dogs are allowed, on a lead.

Practical and what to combine

Gates and wall are free to access from the street at any hour; there is no ticket office. On the upper square, beside the alcazaba, is the church of Santa María, the oldest in Jerez. The office suggests linking with the palaces route, which ends at the alcazaba, and its website has interactive maps and a PDF plan. If you prefer a guide, the Tour Extremadura visit covers castle, alcazaba and wall.