The Renacentista Arch of Puerta Berrozana

The arch of Puerta Berrozana stands as a sturdy monument, though its proportions have been altered by the passage of time. As the ground level in Plasencia rose over centuries of paving, the size of its semicircular arch was reduced. This monumental gate, originally built in the Middle Ages, received its current Renaissance appearance following renovations in 1571.

Located on the western side of the city walls, the gate provides access to a noble neighborhood near the Plaza Mayor. It is connected to the main square via the streets of Berrozana and Los Quesos. The name identifies the path toward the dehesa de Berrozanas, a region characterized by a landscape of granite outcrops known as berrocal. This geological feature gave its name to the neighborhood of El Berrocal created outside the walls.

Historically, the gate was protected by two round towers, though only the northern tower survives today. The structure features a wall topped with four battlements and displays a coat of arms of the Catholic Monarchs. Above the arch, a figure of the Archangel Michael is flanked by inscriptions that help date the monument. Inside the walls, the gate leads to a historic area housing the church of San Martín, while the exterior once led to the arrabal of San Julián.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons