Melilla Old Town
Melilla
Melilla Old Town, known locally as Melilla la Vieja, is a fortified citadel located in the Spanish city of Melilla on the North African coast. It is one of the largest fortress complexes in Spain, with approximately 2,000 meters of walls, built over an ancient Phoenician-Punic fortification. The site has witnessed a continuous occupation from the 8th century BC, beginning as the Phoenician settlement of Rusadir, evolving through Roman, Vandal, Byzantine, and Islamic periods. The current fortifications largely date from the late 15th to 18th centuries, featuring Renaissance and Baroque military architecture adapted to artillery warfare. The citadel is divided into four walled enclosures connected by gates and moats with drawbridges, designed to isolate sections during sieges. Notable features include the Puerta and Chapel of Santiago, the only Gothic temple in Africa, the Hospital del Rey, and the Hornabeque moat system. Today, Melilla la Vieja is a key cultural and historical monument attracting visitors interested in its rich past and panoramic views of the Mediterranean.
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Tip: The best time to visit Melilla Old Town is during spring and autumn when the weather is mild. It is advisable to purchase tickets in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, to avoid queues. Visitors can benefit from discounts for students, seniors, and groups. Guided tours are recommended to fully appreciate the historical and architectural significance of the fortifications. Comfortable walking shoes are essential due to uneven surfaces and stairs within the citadel.
Interesting facts
- •Melilla Old Town is one of the largest fortified citadels of its kind in Spain, with walls stretching approximately 2,000 meters.
- •The Puerta and Chapel of Santiago within the fortress is the only Gothic church on the African continent.
- •The fortifications include a complex moat system called the Hornabeque, a notable example of Baroque military architecture.
- •Melilla was known as Rusadir in antiquity, a name linked to its Phoenician and Roman heritage.
- •The fortress has been continuously inhabited and adapted from Phoenician times through to modern Spain, making it a rare example of living historical fortifications.
History
Melilla's origins date back to the 8th century BC when Phoenicians founded Rusadir as a strategic trading post.
It later came under Carthaginian control and was incorporated into the Roman Empire as part of Mauretania Tingitana.
The city experienced successive rule by Vandals, Byzantines, and various Islamic dynasties, including the Umayyads and Marinids.
By the 15th century, Melilla was nearly deserted and its defenses in ruins.
In 1497, Spanish forces captured the city, initiating the construction of new fortifications between the late 15th and 16th centuries.
Subsequent centuries saw expansions and enhancements adapting to evolving military technology, culminating in the Baroque-style defenses of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Place Guide
Puerta and Chapel of Santiago15th century
This is the only Gothic temple in Africa, located within Melilla Old Town. The chapel served both religious and defensive purposes and is a key architectural highlight of the citadel.
Hospital del Rey16th century
A historic building within the fortress that once served as a hospital for soldiers and residents, reflecting the citadel's role as a self-sufficient military settlement.
Hornabeque Moat System17th-18th century
An advanced Baroque defensive moat connecting different defensive levels via bridges and tunnels, designed to isolate sections during sieges and improve fortification resilience.
Baluartes and Fortified Walls16th-18th century
The citadel includes multiple bastions such as San José, San Pedro, and San Fernando, featuring cylindrical and elliptical towers inspired by Renaissance military treatises, adapted for artillery defense.
