ROUTE OF THE SIX GATES OF THE WALL

It owes its name to its orientation, as it is located directly to the east of the city. It is one of the gates that originally had a tower. Its vaults were rebuilt in the early 18th century, and after remaining closed for some time, it was permanently reopened in the 19th century. On the route between this gate and the Conde Gate, we come across the famous “Cuerpo de Guardia del Registro,” which has been converted into a museum and now houses the “Interpretive Center for the Border Fortifications.”

It faces north and is named in memory of Count Rodrigo, after whom the city was named. Originally, one of the towers of the city wall stood here. Outside, the grain exchange and the flour weigh station stood here in the 17th century. This area is part of the route for the bull runs during the “Carnaval del Toro.”

It was originally a small gate that, due to its proximity to the cathedral, was called Santa María, at least since the 14th century. In 1563, it was expanded and became the Puerta Nueva, and in the mid-20th century, an arch was opened next to it to facilitate modern-day traffic flow. Today it is known as the Puerta de Amayuelas because the palace of the counts bearing that title once stood next to it.

It appears to date from the 16th century. Originally, it was a narrow alleyway named San Vicente, due to its proximity to that parish church, which no longer exists. It was later widened to facilitate the passage of carts. In the 17th century, it was known as Santa Cruz because it led to the convent of the Augustinian nuns, which was dedicated to that saint. Once the convent of the Sisters of Sancti Spiritus was established next to it in 1711, the alley took on that name. It is a simple structure with a brick barrel vault.

Facing southwest, it was known as the Puerta de Águeda between the 14th and 16th centuries. By the mid-16th century, it was already referred to as the Puerta de la Colada, a name that took hold in the 17th century and by which it is known today. Sánchez Cabañas, a local historian of that century, explains that it took its name from the Colada stream, into which all the city’s waters flowed, passing through this gate.

It lies to the south of the city. It takes its name from an old parish church, located outside the city walls, dedicated to the same saint. A successful restoration project in 2002 uncovered ancient moats and barbicans, the outlines of which have been marked on the pavement, and one of the moats that once protected the fortress has been left exposed. Between this gate and the Puerta del Sol stands a guardhouse, next to the so-called “Puente de San Felipe,” which allows passage over the fortress’s moats.