Puerta del Barrio de Santa María (Gate of the district of Santa Maria), Cadiz

The Gate of the district of Santa Maria stands as a surviving fragment of medieval defenses and serves as a symbolic threshold. Originally part of the city walls constructed after the Christian conquest in 1262 by Alfonso X the Wise, the arch functioned as a gateway between the fortified city and the emerging suburb of Santa María.

In its early days, the arch marked the passage from the official urban center to an outer district that would grow into a bustling, working-class neighborhood of merchants, sailors, and artisans.

Over time, the Santa María district became fully integrated into Cádiz’s urban core, and the arch evolved from a defensive structure to a unifying landmark.

Though the original façade was later dismantled to allow for street expansion, the rear section of the arch still remains, showcasing solid stone ashlars that hint at its historic role in the city's fortifications.