THE DEMOLITION OF THE CITY WALLS

THE DEMOLITION OF THE CITY WALLS

In the late 19th century, Tortosa began demolishing its medieval city walls to allow the city to expand.

At the end of the 19th century, Tortosa City Council decided to demolish the city walls in the name of progress. These defensive structures had come to symbolise the past and oppression. Their demolition not only allowed fresh air into the city but also made it possible for the urban area to expand, following a trend that was spreading across Europe under the influence of the hygienist movement. In urban planning, this movement advocated reducing urban density to 'allow air to circulate' by opening up cities beyond their defensive walls.

However, demolishing the walls was neither a quick nor an easy process. This was once the site of the Sant Francesc or Sant Joan Gate, one of the busiest entrances during the medieval period. The gate was flanked by two towers, one of which was home to the executioner. As the terrain was much steeper at the time, many local people still call this spot coll de Sant Joan. The gate provided access to the road to Tarragona, the Hospital of Sant Joan del Camp, the Convent of the Menorets of Sant Francesc and the cemeteries. The city walls descended from Sitjar Hill to the river, passing through the Temple Gate.

A document dating from 1554 tells us that the city walls were divided into fifteen sections. This was the third section and was maintained by the Brotherhood of Santa Magdalena, made up of the shopkeepers' guild, and the Brotherhood of the Holy Trinity, formed by the weavers' guild.

THE ROMAN CITY
THE ROMAN CITY
Dertosa developed from the Iberian settlement of Hibera and became an important trading centre in the Ebro valley
sant ruf
sant ruf
El cementirti del castell
El cementirti del castell
THE DEFENCE OF THE CITY: THE TRAST
THE DEFENCE OF THE CITY: THE TRAST
In the 16th century, the defence of Tortosa was organised into fifteen sections corresponding to different parts of the city walls.
THE DEMOLITION OF THE CITY WALLS
THE DEMOLITION OF THE CITY WALLS
In the late 19th century, Tortosa began demolishing its medieval city walls to allow the city to expand.
FROM CASTLE TO FORTRESS
FROM CASTLE TO FORTRESS
The development of artillery transformed medieval castles into modern fortresses, with structures specifically designed for military defence.
HABSBURG AND BOURBON SUPPORTERS
HABSBURG AND BOURBON SUPPORTERS
During the War of the Spanish Succession, Tortosa passed from Habsburg to Bourbon control, bringing significant political and social consequences.
THE DIAMOND POINT TOWER
THE DIAMOND POINT TOWER
The Diamond Point Tower is a pentagonal defensive structure at La Suda Castle, adapted to the development of artillery to strengthen the fortress's defences.
CRISTÒFOL DESPUIG
CRISTÒFOL DESPUIG
Cristòfol Despuig (1510–1574) was a politician and writer from Tortosa, known for producing one of the finest examples of Catalan Renaissance prose.
TORTOSA'S TRADITIONAL CULTURE
TORTOSA'S TRADITIONAL CULTURE
Tortosa's traditional culture brings together music, dance, giants and festive customs that keep the city's identity alive.
TENASSES FORT
TENASSES FORT
Tenasses Fort is a 17th- and 18th-century fortification built to strengthen Tortosa's defences and protect the northern approaches to the city.
TORTOSA, A CENTRE OF ART IN THE MEDIEVAL AND EARLY MODERN PERIODS
TORTOSA, A CENTRE OF ART IN THE MEDIEVAL AND EARLY MODERN PERIODS
Between the 14th and 20th centuries, Tortosa was an important centre of artistic production, with workshops specialising in painting, sculpture, silversmithing,
THE OPEN CAPONIER
THE OPEN CAPONIER
The Open Caponier is a defensive site along the road to Tenasses Fort, with structures once used to control access to the Célio ravine.
HORNWORK
HORNWORK
The hornwork at Tenasses is a 17th-century defensive structure designed to protect the northern approaches to Tortosa.