Puerta De Santa Maria, patrimonio construido vasco destacado en Hondarribia
The Puerta de Santa María is a city gate in Hondarribia that combines Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical architectural elements. The passage features a simple rounded arch topped with a 1694 town shield, a sculpture of the Virgin Mary with two angels, and a sundial that adorns its upper section.
The gate was built in the 1500s when European towns strengthened their fortifications, featuring firing holes and a drawbridge for city defense. Its upper section was rebuilt in the 1800s in Neoclassical style, reflecting the structure's evolution across multiple centuries.
The gate is named after the Virgin Mary and displays a sculpture of her flanked by two angels above the city shield. These religious symbols reflect the spiritual significance that marked medieval European city entrances as sacred passages into town life.
The gate stands in the old city on Nagusia Street and is freely accessible on foot, inviting easy exploration. The area is flat and walkable, with nearby landmarks such as the Bishop's Palace and Castle only a few minutes walk away.
The gate originally featured firing holes and a drawbridge across a moat, making it a genuine defensive installation rather than mere passage. These practical features reveal how carefully it was designed to protect the town and guard those who entered.
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