El Arco de la Ville (The Town Arch) – Santa Cruz de la Zarza, Spain - Atlas Obscura

El Arco de la Ville (The Town Arch)

Santa Cruz de la Zarza, Spain

One of the last remnants of an ancient town wall. 

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This fascinating structure is one of the few remaining parts of a 13th-century wall that once formed a defensive boundary around the small town of Santa Cruz de la Zarza. At the time, Spain was in turmoil as Christian forces were fighting to complete the reconquest of Spain. The town walls created a fortress within which the townspeople could defend themselves from Moorish attacks.

The wall also marked the boundary between the Christian part of the town and the suburb, known as Arrabal, home to Muslim residents who had been subject to compulsory servitude under the ecomienda system. This labor system was essentially a form of slavery during the 12th-century in Spain to subjugate conquered non-Christian populations. 

The walled enclosure is described as a “mud wall” with “pebble and lime” towers. Above the once gated arch is a niche that contained a statue and other dedications to Saint Benito.

Little is left of the wall as modern buildings have been built along much of the old structure. The arch has been whitewashed, but there are photographs from the 1960s showing the arch blocked by a brick infill.

Another small remnant of the town wall can be seen within the dining room of El Quatro de Oros, an unusual hotel about 200 yards north of the arch. A detailed information board is provided next to the arch written in Spanish.

Know Before You Go

At certain times of year, the town becomes very quiet and many eateries are closed. Services within hotels can also be limited. Check if the hotel restaurant is open before you book.


If approaching by car from the north, it's perhaps better to drive a bit further and use the major road network rather than taking the small roads suggested as some are pretty rough. 


El Quatro de Oros is a very interesting hotel with traditional furniture and accommodations, but a very unconventional internal arrangement. 

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