Baluarte de las Cinco Palabras: A former gate and execution site in Melilla

The Baluarte de las Cinco Palabras is an old Islamic gate situated in the northeast of the Tercer Recinto Fortificado of Melilla la Vieja. Originally built as a fortified gate by the Arabs, it was converted into a baluarte in the 18th century as the Puerta de la Alafia. During this period, cannoneries with brick arches were constructed over a stringcourse on its western face.

In 1864, Francisco Roldán designed a bascule bridge installed nearby, and another bridge was built over its deck during that same century. By 1905, the battery had become a passage with toilets, and barracks were erected on the tower towards the end of the century. The structure underwent restoration in 2007, during which the battery's height was adjusted to the original Arab level of the upper floor, and the front and bridge deck were repaired in 2018.

At the end of the 17th century, the site was known as Torreón del Veedor. It was renamed Baluarte de San Francisco in 1721 and eventually became Baluarte de las Cinco Palabras in 1740. This final name commemorates the creed that prisoners reportedly recited before being executed in the orca located within the baluarte.

Constructed using local stone for the walls and solid brick for the vault, the structure features a north side door leading to a tunnel. This tunnel connects the Cuarto Recinto Fortificado with the Tercer Recinto Fortificado, which is crowned by a grating in an arch over a machicolation. An artillery battery is situated on the western side.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons