Portal de ses Taules, City gate in Eivissa, Spain
Portal de ses Taules is a stone city gate in the old walled quarter of Dalt Vila in Eivissa, Spain. It stands at the main entrance between two defensive bastions, with a simple facade topped by a carved imperial coat of arms and a crown, and its outer face shows the worn texture of long use.
The gate was built in the late 16th century, around 1584 to 1585, as part of the defensive wall ordered by Philip II. Its earlier drawbridge and moat were later replaced by a permanent bridge in the early 20th century to make access easier.
Two headless Roman statues once flanked this entrance and are now kept safe in the local archaeological museum, with copies visible on either side of the arch. On feast days the nearby streets are hung with lights and banners, so the old stones take on a different mood for local gatherings.
Walking through this gate leads directly into the narrow, cobbled streets of Dalt Vila, so footwear with a good grip helps on the uneven stones. The ground warms up by midday, making a morning or late afternoon walk more comfortable.
The moat that once surrounded this gate was crossed by simple wooden planks until 1888, long after the wall had stopped serving as a defense. Visitors walking across the modern bridge rarely realize they are following the same path that once required a drawbridge.
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