Construction rampart suburb of Spain 1691-1719 (≈ 1705)
Four polygonal bastions and added ditches.
1728
Completion of supplements
Completion of supplements 1728 (≈ 1728)
Last changes in the suburbs of Spain.
2 décembre 1986
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 2 décembre 1986 (≈ 1986)
Protection of ramparts and suburbs.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Remparts of the upper town and suburb of Spain (old) (cad. not cadastralized; public domain): classification by order of 2 December 1986
Key figures
Vauban - Military engineer
Modified the enclosure in 1685 (citadel, murderers).
Origin and history
The ramparts of the Haute de Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port city date mainly from the 14th and 15th centuries. Five broken arch doors remain (Porte Est, Porte du Clocher, Porte de l'Église, Porte du Marché, Porte Saint-Jacques), but most of the upper towers and defences (craneaux, mâchicoulis) disappeared, perhaps during the wars of 1512-1530. The enclosure was modified in 1685 under the direction of Vauban, with the addition of murderers, a bastion and scauguettes, as well as transformations at the Porte Saint-Jacques.
The more recent rampart of the suburb of Spain was built between 1691 and 1719, with additions in 1728. It is distinguished by a round road wall supported by arcades, four polygonal bastions and a ditch. The gate of Spain, always visible, marks its entrance. These fortifications reflect the adaptations to firearms and military strategies of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Ranked Historic Monument in 1986, these ramparts testify to the defensive history of the city, from the Middle Ages to modern times. Their architecture combines medieval heritage and influences of Vauban, military architect of Louis XIV. The property today belongs to the commune of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
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