The fortified walls

You can still trace the outline of these ancient monuments and in places they appear proud & defensive & in others disappear into homes & you’ll see somebodys washing being hung on the ramparts. Heavily restored in places the walls were built in the 15th.C. as part of the defensive investment after the Christian reconquest of the region. The best sections of restored walls are to be found at the top end of Calle Eduardo Shelly next to the north face of the church, in the Judería including the old gates of Puerta Cerrada and the entire section from the gate of Sancho el Bravo to the Plaza de España including the Casa del Mayorazgo (see below).

The Archways

A notable feature are the various arches that lead into the old town through the walls. Unlike in many other towns all the original gateways still exist & form a feature of the everyday life of Vejer.

• Sancho IV gate: The oldest & best preserved gate to the old town.
• Villa´s gate : The main archway into Vejer in the Plaza de España. Originally this was the termination of the old Roman road up from La Barca.
• Segur´s gate : The lowest and best fortified of the archways squeezed between the fortifications & the church.
• Closed gate : Traditionally the ‘closed gate’ as it was supposedly most susceptible to attack form the south.

The Castle

The old moorish built ‘alcazaba’ is tucked away down a narrow backstreet. Only one facade reveals this monuments history as the town has been built right around the edifice. A classic 11th.C. ogee arch leads into a jasmine scented courtyard. Beyond this there is not much to see as now much of the castle is residential. If you are lucky the local scouts who have their den here will show you around the ramparts.

The Church

Built on the site of the old mosque the minaret is still standing now although now crowned with a bell tower. Under the church is the outstanding ‘aljibe’ or water deposit built by the moors (not open to the public) so large that it can be navigated around in a small dinghy. The church itself has two contrasting styles. Towards the front of the main aisle is visigothic while the remainder is mudejar. The interior was completely bespoiled during the Civil War & little remains of the churches riches. Its simplicity however is most attractive. Take a close look at the burial niches along the outside north wall of the church.

Plaza de España or ‘Plaza de los Pescaitos’

A most attractive plaza this is a favourite spot for visitors & locals alike. Ringed with date palms with some immense bouganvilla bushes as a backdrop the Plaza de los Pescaitos (Plaza of the Little Fish), gets its name from the goldfish that used to swim around the fountain. The ornate fountain is not as old as it seems and dates back to the 1920’s. Decorated with bright ceramics & 4 spouting frogs you will find an almost replica fountain in the main plaza of Algeciras. The town hall (‘Ayuntamiento’) overlooks the square & a notable feature is the facade of the 16th.C. Court (below)

Court

One of Vejer’s most notable privately owned buildings is the intriguing Casa del Juzgado (home both to Vejer’s magistrates office and the Casa del Califa hotel). The main building dates back to 1527 although the façade was added almost a century later. Built on the site of a 10th. Century arab building you can still see the aljibe and remaining stairs from this era by visiting the hotel itself.

Mayorazgo´s house

Next to the Gate of Sancho el Bravo you will find this large private house now a ‘patio de vecinos’ with 5 families living around its large central courtyard. Visiting the medieval tower is free, just walk through the courtyard and leave a donation on your way out. This is a good opportunity to see how families communally live, at one time sharing not only common living spaces but kitchens and toilets. From the tower you will see fabulous views of town, country and coast plus a splendid birds eye view of the Plaza de España. Open every day during daylight hours.