In tower of the clock and in the coat of arms of Sepúlveda there are seven door keys. They represent each of the seven gates through which the town could be accessed (The Seven Gates of Sepúlveda).
The Seven Gates of Sepúlveda are one of the most iconic and emblematic elements of this medieval town located in the province of Segovia, Spain. During the Middle Ages, Sepúlveda was a walled city of great strategic importance, which led to the construction of several gates and towers to protect it. These gates not only served a defensive function, but also served as checkpoints for access and demarcated the different neighborhoods.
The seven historic gates:
Puerta de la Fuerza: Located to the south, it is one of the main gates and is considered one of the most imposing because of its massive structure. Its name reflects its defensive character and it is believed that it was part of an even larger fortification.
Puerta del Azogue: This gate was related to the market (or Azogue), since it gave access to the main square where commercial activities took place. It was very busy with merchants and traders.
Puerta de Duruelo: Facing the nearby town of Duruelo, this gate played a key role in communication with neighboring villages and rural commerce.
Puerta del Río: As its name indicates, it is located near the Duratón River, and facilitated access to the riverbank and the activities that took place around the water, such as the fish trade and agriculture.
Puerta del Ecce Homo: Named after the image of the “Ecce Homo” that crowned its structure. It was located in a religious sector and had symbolic importance for pilgrims.
Puerta del Vado: Another gate towards the river, it allowed to cross the river in times when the water level was low, being crucial for the transit of people and livestock.
Puerta del Postiguillo: It was a smaller gate, also called “secondary gate”. It was used mainly for the passage of pedestrians and was less known than the main ones.
These gates were part of an imposing wall of which sections and ruins still remain, recalling Sepulveda’s glorious past as an impregnable fortress in medieval Castile. Today, the Seven Gates are a living testimony to the history of the village and are a tourist attraction for those who visit the picturesque town.
One of the most enjoyable activities you can do is to discover these seven gates.
