City walls of Jaén, Medieval defensive wall in Jaén, Spain
The city walls of Jaén are a medieval defensive structure that surrounds the old center, built from stone with multiple towers and gates set into the perimeter. The construction displays different building phases, visible in the changes to stone work and the patterns of the masonry throughout its length.
The walls were built between 1125 and 1144 and served the city through multiple sieges over the centuries. They witnessed the transition from Islamic to Christian rule in 1246.
The walls shape how the old city looks today and show how defensive structures organized medieval life. Walking through the gates, you see how these barriers were central to protecting the people who lived here.
You can explore several sections of the walls through marked entry points that offer views over the old city. Information panels at various locations explain how the defensive structures worked and their architectural details.
The walls blend Islamic and Christian building techniques, visible in the different stone patterns used throughout their construction. This mixture of different building traditions makes them a fascinating example of how cultures mixed in medieval architecture.
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