In the muslim urbanism there are distinguishing features of great importance in the management of cities and public life. In a previous entry we told about the intricate layout of its streets, far from being chaotic, it is a defense against the weather and against an enemy incursion into the city. Similarly, the walls protect the heart of the city: the Medina, where the Mosque, the Barracks, the main palaces and, in short, the political, economic and religious centre of power. They also have a sort function and separation of urban areas, leaving outside its walls the suburbs or populated neighborhoods. It protects well the Medina against uprisings and riots.
Within the configuration of the wall, its doors are particularly important, to control and monitor access to the city. Typically in Muslim city, the main gates are associated with the cardinal directions: North, South, East and West. However, the special topography of the Arunda table, impossible to access on the north side until the construction of new bridge many centuries later.
This physical impossibility was a strategic advantage because the walls of the cliff (called Tajo) were the best natural fort that could be made available. The life in the Muslim city of Arunda was mainly looking towards the South, where the main suburbs were located stretching from west to east.
Within the configuration of the wall, its doors are particularly important, to control and monitor access to the city. Typically in Muslim city, the main gates are associated with the cardinal directions: North, South, East and West. However, the special topography of the Arunda table, impossible to access on the north side until the construction of new bridge many centuries later.
This physical impossibility was a strategic advantage because the walls of the cliff (called Tajo) were the best natural fort that could be made available. The life in the Muslim city of Arunda was mainly looking towards the South, where the main suburbs were located stretching from west to east.
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| Cíjara's Gate الجسر الشرقي |
The access to the city was from Malaga's way, in the east, after crossing a little muslim bridge. Across the river there was a slum inhabited by Mozarabic Christians and Jews, and there were leather factories in it. It is the area known today as the "Padre Jesus" Neighborhood. The Gate Bridge or Cíjara's Bridge now rebuilt in a different location, was adjacent to the magnificent Arab Baths which I described in a previous entry, and it was near a small mosque that allow the traveler to purify his body and soul before entering the Medina. It was therefore a very important door for regulating trade and fiscal relations with the road to Malaga and the local industry.
Once you have crossed this door, you have entered a broad corridor, between the outer wall and inner wall. It was an important military where defensive soldiers were allowed to move along the wall and in case of losing position, became a narrow pass for an invader who was exposed to the arrows, burning oil and stones that the defenders would throw. In this pass, called Chefchaouen Round is rebuilt the Cíjara's Gate. Esparteros' Gate, now walled up, connected the two suburbs, lower or neighborhood of San Miguel and the height or area of the Holy Spirit.
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| Esparteros' Gate. |
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| Cíjara's Gate. Foto de: carlostapiaronda.blogspot.com |
To the south, way of Algeciras is Almocabar Gate, which owes its name to the Muslim cemetery near the outskirts (etymology Al-maq-a-bir, cemetery). It is flanked by two towers where they were staying duty soldiers who protected and provided access to high-suburb as we said, today is the neighborhood of the Holy Spirit.
It consists of three consecutive arcs, being built in brick, like almost all the wall and then coated with masonry, decorating it with shells of the bombards that were used in the capture of the city. This is because it was the first time the Christian artillery used this type of weapon in Spain and was decisive in the siege. Amended under Charles V, incorporating Renaissance door which is now on your left.
It consists of three consecutive arcs, being built in brick, like almost all the wall and then coated with masonry, decorating it with shells of the bombards that were used in the capture of the city. This is because it was the first time the Christian artillery used this type of weapon in Spain and was decisive in the siege. Amended under Charles V, incorporating Renaissance door which is now on your left.
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| Mill Gate |
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| Gate of the Wind, after being repaired. |
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| Almocábar Gate. Renaissance door on your left. |
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| المقبرة Muslim triple Arch, sheltered by the towers. |
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| Almocábar Gate illuminated at night. Foto de: www.rondamagacine.com/ |
Near the Almocábar, also facing south and up the hill for direct access to the Medina, was the former Gate controlled Images from the Citadel, ruined castle siege by both the Christian and by the outrages of the French troops that, in their retreat, blew up the castle and its magazine.
In the West, en route to Seville, find Mill Gate and the Gate of the Wind, recently restored. The first, as the name suggests is giving access to the mills located in the bottom of the Tagus, in the river bed Guadalevín, where there was grinding wheat to make bread. For her, like the second, also gave access to areas where livestock fencing (basil). It was therefore very important logistical access to the city. Even now there is operating a small hydroelectric plant whose turbines evoke the old mills.
In the West, en route to Seville, find Mill Gate and the Gate of the Wind, recently restored. The first, as the name suggests is giving access to the mills located in the bottom of the Tagus, in the river bed Guadalevín, where there was grinding wheat to make bread. For her, like the second, also gave access to areas where livestock fencing (basil). It was therefore very important logistical access to the city. Even now there is operating a small hydroelectric plant whose turbines evoke the old mills.
