ARCO DE MAZARELOS

Civil
2870
On the Way of St. James

Location

Street: Praza de Mazarelos

15703  Santiago de Compostela - A Coruña

Coordinates:
42º 52' 41.0" N - 8º 32' 31.9" W

Description

Almansur´s military expedition against Santiago in the year 997 led Bishop Cresconio (1037-1066) to rebuild the defence system created by Sisnando II (+ 968). Around the second defensive ring (deep moats and palisades) that surrounded the town (the first protected the locus Sancti Iacobi), he built another rampart with square towers and an interior walkway. In the 16th and 17th centuries, major repair and modification work was carried out on the defensive system. The Mazarelos Arch would have been one of the gateways that led into the city. There were also six other entry points of which only their names remain: Porta da Pena, Porta do Camiño (entrance from the French Way), Porta da Mámoa, Porta Faxeira, Porta da Trinidade or de A Mahía, and Porta de Sofrades. The stilted semi-circular arch has a building adjoining the south side, which conserves the foundations of the watch tower that flanked the gateway. Both structures are built in granite masonry.

Access

Urban core. Old Quarter.

The Ways of St. James

Portiguese Route
Portiguese Route by coast
The English Camino
The Fistera-Muxía Camino
The French Camino
The Northern Camino
The Primitive Camino
The Route of the Sea of Arousa and River Ulla
The Winter Camino
Vía de la Plata
Arriba
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