Walls and San Rafael Gate

What it is

Charles III ordered Tabarca to be fortified in the 18th century and a village built inside for the Genoese families ransomed from the Tunisian port of Tabarka. The walls around the old town are a Historic-Artistic Site and a Site of Cultural Interest. You enter through the Levante Gate, also called San Rafael, and inside you walk along straight streets of low houses, with the church at the far end. It is a short, flat walk that is best done on arrival, before the beach fills up.

The three gates

The San Rafael Gate, or Levante, is today the main entrance; formerly it was reached by crossing the moat. It is flanked by the bastions of San Pedro and San Pablo and is Doric in order, with pilasters. The San Miguel Gate, also called North, Land or Alicante, was the main entrance in the 18th century, from the small quay now called the old harbour, and is flanked by the Príncipe bastion. The San Gabriel Gate, or Poniente or Trancada, gives access to the islet of La Cantera, from where the stone to build the village was quarried; it has Tuscan pilasters and the inscription "CAROLVS III HISPANIARUM REX FECIT EDIFICAVIT". From it you can see the islet well, but you should not go across because it is a bird breeding area.

Bastions and coves

The Princesa bastion and the wall-walk of the north wall are among the best preserved; beneath them are large chambers that were used as artillery stores. The Tenaza Grande of the Count of Aranda, a badly deteriorated angle of the wall, can be seen from the beach. Between the wall sections open the cove and cave of the Birros and the Guardia cove, with the Llop Marí cave, one of the last refuges of the monk seal in these waters.

Walking them

Alicante City Council proposes a 1,575-metre Monumental Trail, about two hours at an easy pace, easy and flat, linking the gates, the bastions, the church of San Pedro y San Pablo and the Governor's House. The ensemble has been a Historic Site since 1964.