Attraction
City of Arts and Sciences
Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela's futuristic complex at the eastern end of the Turia riverbed, with a science museum, IMAX cinema, aquarium and opera house.
Torres de Quart
Valencia's 15th-century western city gate, 34 metres high, still marked by French cannon fire from the siege of 1808.
At a glance
- Type
- Medieval city gate
- Area
- Ciutat Vella (El Carmen), Valencia, Spain
Good to know
- Rooftop views
- Historic monument
Why we recommend it
The Torres de Quart are one of the two surviving gates of Valencia's medieval city wall, together with the Torres de Serranos. They guarded the western approach, the road towards Castile, and stand on the site of an earlier Islamic gate. Construction began in 1441 and took several decades, with a series of master builders in charge, including Francesc Baldomar and Pere Compte, who later built La Lonja. The result is a massive Valencian Gothic gate, 34 metres high, with two cylindrical towers facing outwards.
What makes Quart memorable is its scars. During the Battle of Valencia in 1808, in the Peninsular War, French troops bombarded the gate, and the holes left by cannonballs and musket fire are still clearly visible on the outer façade. They were deliberately left in place during later restorations as a record of the city's resistance. More damage followed during the Cantonal rebellion of 1873.
The gate also had a long life as a prison. In the 17th century it held women prisoners, and from 1813 it was a military prison. That use is one reason it survived when most of the city wall was pulled down in 1865. It was declared a national monument in 1931 and was last restored in 2007.
Visitors can climb inside the towers. Steep stone stairs, without handrails in places, lead up through the vaulted levels to the top, where there are views over the rooftops of El Carmen towards the cathedral and the Turia garden. The climb is not suitable for people with limited mobility, and children need close supervision. A visit takes around 30 minutes. Check opening times and prices on the city council's monuments website before you go.
Compared with Serranos, Quart is less visited and has a rougher, more military look, so it is worth seeing both if you have time. The gate faces Guillem de Castro street on the western edge of the old town. The IVAM modern art museum and the university Botanical Garden are a few minutes' walk away, and the bars, cafés and street art of the Barrio del Carmen start just inside the gate. The Torres de Serranos are about 15 minutes' walk to the north-east, and Turia metro station is nearby.
Torres de Quart FAQs
When were the Torres de Quart built?
Construction began in 1441 and continued for several decades in the 15th century.
What are the holes in the walls?
Damage from French cannonballs and musket fire during the siege of Valencia in 1808, deliberately kept during restorations.
How tall are the towers?
They are 34 metres high.
Can you climb them?
Yes, steep stone stairs lead to the top, which gives views over El Carmen and the old town.
Is it accessible?
No, the upper levels are reached only by steep stairs.
How long does a visit take?
About 30 minutes.
Why did the gate survive when the walls were demolished?
It was in use as a prison, which helped it escape the demolition of the city wall in 1865.
What is nearby?
The IVAM, the university Botanical Garden and the Barrio del Carmen are all a short walk away.