Muralla de la Macarena and Puerta de Córdoba, the Almohad stretch
Written by official guides
The Muralla de la Macarena is the best-preserved stretch of Seville's medieval defensive system. It's 537 metres of 12th-century Almohad wall between the Arco de la Macarena and the Puerta de Córdoba, representing less than 15% of the city's original walls. This northern area was the most heavily fortified because it controlled access from Córdoba and the trade routes along the Guadalquivir.
Construction began under the Almoravids in the 11th century and was completed by the Almohads in the 12th century. The system included 8 rectangular towers, an outer barbican and a defensive moat to protect the Muslim city. After the 1248 Reconquista, Ferdinand III kept the fortifications for their strategic value. In the 19th century they were saved from demolition thanks to their religious importance during Holy Week, when the Virgen de la Macarena passes under the arch.
Declared a National Monument in 1908, the wall is currently undergoing a full restoration launched in 2022. The project includes consolidating the rammed-earth structure, recovering the barbican and adding artistic lighting. Full public opening is planned for 2025, including access to the Torre Blanca and a complete walk along the wall walk.
What to see at the wall and the Puerta de Córdoba
Walking the wall lets you see Spain's best-preserved Almohad defensive system, with unique elements such as the octagonal Torre Blanca and remains of the outer barbican. The visit takes 45 minutes along the wall walk, with views over the Macarena neighbourhood and explanations of medieval building techniques.
The 8 rectangular towers alternate every 40 metres between two types: taller towers with a covered chamber, and lower, chamber-less towers. The stretches of wall between towers are 3 metres thick, built from rammed earth of lime, sand and pebbles, in modules 2.25 metres long by 0.84 metres high.
The Torre Blanca
The Torre Blanca, or Torreón de la Tía Tomasa, is the standout structure on this stretch, with an octagonal floor plan unique among Seville's walls. It has two vaulted levels connected by an internal staircase and an upper terrace for watch duty. This tower controlled the northern approach from Córdoba and served as a command post for defending the sector.
Currently under restoration, the Torre Blanca will open to the public in 2025 as an interpretation centre for the walls. From its terrace you can take in the whole Macarena neighbourhood, the Basilica and the historic routes towards Córdoba.
The Arco de la Macarena
The Arco de la Macarena preserves traces of its original polychromy, uncovered in 2021 test pits: ochre red, white, sandy yellow and black lines marking the ashlar-style remodelling directed by José Echamorro in the 18th century, layered over the more sober original Almohad colours.
The gate follows the typical Almohad bent-entrance design, which forced attackers to turn inside the parade ground, exposing them to the defenders. The arch is also a key religious symbol, since every Good Friday the Virgen de la Esperanza Macarena passes beneath it during the procession from the Basilica towards the centre of Seville.
History of the wall and the Puerta de Córdoba
The Muralla de la Macarena has over 900 years of history defending Seville. The Almoravids arrived from North Africa in the 11th century and extended Seville's walls between 1107 and 1143, as the city had grown considerably. The northern stretch towards Córdoba was a priority, since that's where invasions tended to arrive from.
The Almohads who followed them were even better builders. In the second half of the 12th century they turned the walls into a full defensive system, with an outer barbican, a moat and towers every 40 metres so archers could cover each other.
Ferdinand III conquered Seville in 1248 after a 16-month siege, but he couldn't breach the Muralla de la Macarena. It was so strong that he decided to keep it to protect his new Christian city. For 300 years it remained a real defensive wall, with soldiers, weapons and a nightly curfew.
In the 16th century it began to lose its military function but gained civilian uses: the towers were rented out as storerooms for merchants, craft workshops, and even homes for poor families. The Puerta de Córdoba fared worse: in 1569 a chapel was built on top of it, and in the 17th century the Church of San Hermenegildo swallowed up half of the original arch.
The 19th century was brutal for the walls: between 1868 and 1912, more than 85% of Seville's original walls were demolished, including the Puerta de Jerez, the Puerta de Triana and the Puerta del Arenal. The Muralla de la Macarena survived thanks to its role in Holy Week, its good state of preservation, its location away from the new avenues, and pressure from local residents — until it was declared a National Monument in 1908.
How to visit the Muralla de la Macarena
The Muralla de la Macarena is under restoration until 2025, with partial opening on weekends. Once fully restored, it will be open for a walk along the wall walk, with access to the Torre Blanca as an interpretation centre.
While the works continue, the exterior can be seen freely any day by walking along Calle Resolana from the Arco de la Macarena to the Puerta de Córdoba. The exterior route takes 20 minutes and lets you photograph the towers, wall sections and architectural details from street level.
The wall is a 15-minute walk from Plaza Nueva via Calle Sierpes-Cuna to Plaza del Duque, then Resolana. By public transport: bus C5 from the city centre to the Macarena stop, or metro line 1 to San Bernardo, then bus.
Guided tours
If you're interested in learning more about Seville's Almohad past and walking this historic stretch with an official guide, you can do so as part of the Sevilla a Pie private tour. The route adapts to each visitor and includes nearby areas such as the Basílica de la Macarena, the Arco and the wall itself.
Besides visiting the stretch independently, the Muralla de la Macarena and the Puerta de Córdoba can also be seen as part of official guided tours organised by Seville City Council and the Regional Government of Andalusia, with up-to-date dates and booking information on the Andalusian Cultural Agenda and the Seville Tourism website.
Want to see it with an official guide telling you about it in person?