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Origin and history

The town gate of Hastingues is a key element of the fortifications of this bastide founded on February 21, 1289 by contract of trimming between Edward I of England, Duke of Aquitaine, and the monks of the Abbey of Arthous. His name comes from John Hastings, Senechal of Gascony. Located at the edge of the Landes and the Labourd, the city is built on a spur overlooking the Gaves valley. The construction of the gate, started between 1307 and 1310, aims to secure the main street of the village.

The door, rectangular in shape, combines calcareous stone at the bottom and bells at the top. Its arch arched passage incorporates a leaf for a harrow, while murderers pierce the outer wall. Financing comes from tolls on goods transiting through the Gaves. In 1310, the unfinished work led the inhabitants to request Edward II to extend this toll and complete the stone enclosure, including a bridge over the Esté.

In the 14th century, the gate also served as a watchtower, as evidenced by two archeries to the south and a window to the north. A rectangular room of 7.5 m by 6 m on the first floor houses a prison in the 19th century. The crows at the top indicate an ancient crenelage, and the gonds of the door are always visible. The canal tile cover and traces of harrow complete this defensive building.

The door is inscribed in historical monuments by order of 13 June 1941. Its history reveals partial destruction: in 1571 by the Protestants, then a fire in 1615 by the Duke of La Force. In 1640, there were still two doors, one from the north, demolished in 1792. Today, the southern gate, unchanged since 2002, remains the last major vestige of the ramparts.

The initial ramparts, planned as early as 1289, combine stone and earth walls. A ditch remains to the northwest for 50 meters. The gate, framed by ramparts of earth, illustrates the evolution of the fortifications of this English bastide in Aquitaine, marked by religious conflicts and reconstructions until the 17th century.

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