Arch of the Star

It was built in the XVIII Century on the ruins of a former construction from the XV Century. It is a segmental arch of great spaciousness and skewed, built with this form with the aim of making easier the way of the carriages to the Monumental Town (Ciudad Monumental).

It is one of the five gates of access to the town, together with the one of Mérida, La Fuente or Puerta del Concejo, the Puerta del Socorro and the Puerta del Postigo.

The 30 June of 1497, this gate had the honour of being crossed by the Queen Isabel la Católica and two years later by his husband the King Fernando V de Aragón.

In 1726, Churriguera modified it towards a Baroque style and enlarged it in order to make easier the way of the carriages.

Inside, and in a Baroque small temple, was located the image of the Virgen de la Estrella, the reason of its name. After crossing the arch, we can find the Calle de la Estrella that drives to the Plaza de Santa María. It joins the interior of the town with the Major Square.