Walls of Iglesias

The Walls of Iglesias form a medieval fortification system surrounding the historic center with approximately twenty towers. These towers reach about ten meters in height, arranged in a polygonal pattern with stones laid in horizontal courses throughout the structure.

Construction of these defensive walls began in the 13th century under the Della Gherardesca family as the city expanded. The builders combined stone and wooden structures to create a layered defense system.

The four city gates still bear their historic names today: Porta Maestra, Porta Castello, Porta Sant'Antonio, and Porta Nuova. Walking through the old town, you can see how these passages connected different areas and still shape the way streets flow through the center.

The northern sections of the walls remain well preserved and accessible for viewing, while southern portions have been integrated into residential buildings. Plan your route with this variation in mind, as some sections are more open than others.

The walls were originally reinforced with wooden palisades in addition to their stone construction, offering an extra defensive layer. A surrounding moat was part of this layered approach, designed to prevent attacking forces and their siege equipment from reaching the fortifications.