Murallas Merinies Archaeological Site – Algeciras

Murallas Merinies Archaeological Site Algeciras

The Murallas Merinies Archaeological Site is located next to the Maria Cristina Park in the Andalusian town of Algeciras, province of Cadiz.

The preserved remains are only a small part of the defensive system that enveloped the city of Algeciras in the Middle Ages. We do not know the precise time of its construction, but should occur during the Islamic rule in the Lower Middle Ages. Fortiification withstood a prolonged siege Castilian that besieged the city by land and sea, for almost two years (1342-1344). Finally, the administration merini surrendered.

During the Castilian period (1344-1369) major renovations were made. To this time belong many of the remains currently visitable. The Moorish army reconquered and subsequently destroyed systematically in 1379.

It has been given this name to a complex system of income consists of two hollow towers, through which it entered the city. The first one, located right in front of you, was built over the moat and functioned as an early strength taht is accessed via a bridge. Currently, you can only see half of this tower. The second, of which only ruins remain, was attached to the wall and was the main entrance.

In the Middle Ages this gate was know as Bab Tarfa, ie “the end” and also as the Puerta del Fonsario due to the large cemetery that stretched outside (Fonsario=ossuary=cemetery) and was dug unde buildings “Plaza Mayor”.

Although since its discovery had considered Islamic, recent excavations have brought to light two Castilian headings possibly related to the authors of the construction: the developer, which only read clearly the name – Juan – and the promoter, king Alfonso XI.