Puerta del Puente (Gate of the Bridge), Cordoba
The Gate of the Bridge has been standing guard since the days of Julius Caesar, back when traffic on the Roman road Augusta way meant chariots, not tour buses. It marked the main entrance into C贸rdoba and linked up with the Roman Bridge, forming part of what was essentially the city鈥檚 ancient welcome mat. Rumor has it a statue of Venus once topped the gate鈥攗sing her status as goddess of love to attract city visitors. She didn鈥檛 make it past the Moorish period, though鈥攚rong pantheon.
Under Islamic rule, the gate picked up a handful of different names, depending on who you asked. Some called it Bab al-Qantara, meaning the Gate of the Bridge. Others went with Bab al-Wadi, the Gate of the River, or Bab al-Yazir, the Gate of Algeciras. When Christian forces reclaimed C贸rdoba during the Reconquest, they decided to keep the Algeciras name鈥攂ecause why mess with a label that already worked? By the late 1500s, Mayor Ortega figured the old gate needed a royal upgrade before King Felipe II showed up. Architect Montalb谩n began the makeover, and Ruiz the Younger wrapped it up in 1576.
Hopping to 1912鈥擪ing Alfonso XIII is on the throne, and the gate has had enough of being boxed in by neighbors. The surrounding buildings were cleared, and by 1928, it had evolved into the solo monument you see today, standing like a proud relic that just got its own spotlight.
Nowadays, the gate is more than just a photo op. You can actually go inside. There鈥檚 a small exhibition room with illustrations of its past lives, and if you climb to the top, the balcony offers a sweeping view of the square, the bridge, and the slow march of time.
Under Islamic rule, the gate picked up a handful of different names, depending on who you asked. Some called it Bab al-Qantara, meaning the Gate of the Bridge. Others went with Bab al-Wadi, the Gate of the River, or Bab al-Yazir, the Gate of Algeciras. When Christian forces reclaimed C贸rdoba during the Reconquest, they decided to keep the Algeciras name鈥攂ecause why mess with a label that already worked? By the late 1500s, Mayor Ortega figured the old gate needed a royal upgrade before King Felipe II showed up. Architect Montalb谩n began the makeover, and Ruiz the Younger wrapped it up in 1576.
Hopping to 1912鈥擪ing Alfonso XIII is on the throne, and the gate has had enough of being boxed in by neighbors. The surrounding buildings were cleared, and by 1928, it had evolved into the solo monument you see today, standing like a proud relic that just got its own spotlight.
Nowadays, the gate is more than just a photo op. You can actually go inside. There鈥檚 a small exhibition room with illustrations of its past lives, and if you climb to the top, the balcony offers a sweeping view of the square, the bridge, and the slow march of time.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Cordoba. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Puerta del Puente (Gate of the Bridge) on Map
Sight Name: Puerta del Puente (Gate of the Bridge)
Sight Location: Cordoba, Spain (See walking tours in Cordoba)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Cordoba, Spain (See walking tours in Cordoba)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Cordoba, Spain
Create Your Own Walk in Cordoba
Creating your own self-guided walk in Cordoba is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Cordoba Introduction Walking Tour
C贸rdoba treats history like a sculptor treats marble鈥攍ayered, chiseled, and ever revealing something new. Situated in Andalusia, this city has seen empires rise, and its story spans over 2,200 years. Originally named Qart Juba by the Carthaginians, it was refounded in 206 BC by the Romans as Corduba. As the capital of the province Hispania Ulterior, it had to prove its reputation by having its... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Cordoba Jewish Quarter Walk
The Juder铆a de C贸rdoba is the area in C贸rdoba that was once densely populated by the Jews, between the 10th and the 15th centuries. Back then, it was a time when three world religions 鈥� Christianity, Judaism, and Islam 鈥� coexisted in C贸rdoba, although not always peacefully. Attesting to that today are the major religious shrines found in the area, like the Synagogue, the Mosque-Cathedral... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles
Ancient Roman Sites Walking Tour
Under all in Cordoba lies a once redoubtable Roman strongpoint. After Scipio's defeat of the Carthaginians in Llipa, the victorious Romans set up camp by the Guadalquivir River.
Under Augustus, the city gained the status of Colonia Patricia. A perimeter wall was built touching the Guadalquivir River. There were two forums, colonial and provincial. A large amphitheater has been uncovered.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Under Augustus, the city gained the status of Colonia Patricia. A perimeter wall was built touching the Guadalquivir River. There were two forums, colonial and provincial. A large amphitheater has been uncovered.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles