1-ALAMEDA
The Alameda is one of the favorite meeting places for the residents of Tarifa, and it hosted the Feria between 1868 and 1971. Its urban development began in the early 19th century along the Carrera del Sol, named after the hermitage of the Virgen del Sol, located at the place now occupied by the Tourist Office. Initially named Paseo de la Defensa, it soon became known as Alameda. It was expanded northward, creating its current layout with three terraces or halls in 1860, and seaward in 1929. Closer to the port, you can see the statue of Guzmán el Bueno from 1960, a work by Manuel Reiné.
Text: Alejandro Pérez-Malumbres Landa
Translation: Juan Glez. Fleta
Image:
-Statue of Guzmán el Bueno, a work by Manuel Reiné.
-View of the Alameda. VAN DEN WYNGAERDE DETAIL OF THE HERMITAGE?
2-SAN MARTÍN SQUARE
It preserves old buildings on all four sides. It is open at three of its corners, and at the fourth, there used to be another alley, now closed. It has had other names such as Plaza de Pi y Margall or Plazuela del Gobernador.
Text: Alejandro Pérez-Malumbres Landa
Translation: Juan Glez. Fleta
Image: Esquina so con callejon cerrado
3-SAINT HISCIO SQUARE OR EL PERULERO
Named after Saint Hiscio, Bishop of Carteia, an ancient city mistakenly identified with Tarifa, who was declared the patron saint of Tarifa in 1620. It is also popularly known as Plazuela del Perulero, attributed to D. Juan Fernández de Riofrío, an Indiano from Peru, who, with his habit of displaying exotic birds, likely influenced the naming of the adjacent Lorito Alley. In the square, there is an emblazoned palace and an old cinema built in 1960 in rationalist style, later converted into a disco.
Text: Alejandro Pérez-Malumbres Landa
Translation: Juan Glez. Fleta
Image:
-Emblazoned palace
-Former cinema
4-OVIEDO SQUARE
Its current name comes from the Battalion of Oviedo. It was previously known as Plaza de los Perdones, as from here, there was a crossing to the unfinished Puerta del Perdón of San Mateo Church (is a common term associated with devotions that came with the granting of indulgences), through a small bridge called Tablón del Cura.
From this point, we can well appreciate the gothic style of the church, such as the windows with archivolts and pierced traceries, or the pinnacles, flying buttresses and gargoyles,
At its feet runs Calle Sancho IV el Bravo, today the main street of the city, named after the Castilian king who conquered it. Its serpentine shape is due to the fact that until the late 19th century, the river of Tarifa (Angorrilla stream) crossed it, spanned by seven bridges. The locals call it “La Calzada,” a term given to the sidewalks along the old riverbed (Calzada de Solis, Hospital, Los Perdones, and San Mateo). The cobblestone paving is still the one laid when the riverbed was covered after diverting the river to the Mediterranean Sea.
Text: Alejandro Pérez-Malumbres Landa
Translation: Juan Glez. Fleta
Image:
-Plan with the names of the sidewalks (Andrés Sarriá Muñoz):
-Window of San Mateo with Gothic lattice (Alejandro Pérez-Malumbres Landa)
5-MESÓN SQUARE
This triangular space, where Calle Guzmán el Bueno widens, is an important crossroads in the city. A little further up, on Calle Aljaranda, we can see a reused roman column, recently discovered, which may have been part of the Aljaranda gate. Opposite is the emblazoned palace of Núñez Temblador family, dating back to 1771, one of the finest examples of civil architecture in Tarifa. It has a lookout tower and preserves remains of sgraffito decoration on the terrace’s cornices.
Text: Alejandro Pérez-Malumbres Landa
Translation: Juan Glez. Fleta
Image:
Palace, detail of paintings.
-Reused Roman column
6- WINDY SQUARE
The name of this small square, open to the sea and offering magnificent views, is one of the most celebrated in the city. In the rest of the historic ensemble, the wind is not as noticeable, thanks to the urban layout of narrow streets inherited from Islamic times. Next to it, a breach was opened in the wall in contemporary times, known as the Cadiz Gap, to connect it with the port neighborhood of La Caleta. It provides beautiful views of the Strait.
A little further on, there is another square named Pomponius Mela, a Roman geographer from the 1st century AD born in Tingentera, a city that has sometimes been identified with Tarifa. Next to it are the Church of Santiago and the noncommissioned officer housing facilities, converted into tourist accommodation
Text: Alejandro Pérez-Malumbres Landa
Translation: Juan Glez. Fleta
Image: ¿?
7-MIRAMAR SQUARE: STRAIT VIEWPOINT
The Strait of Gibraltar, formerly known as Tarifa, holds a strategic position where Europe and Africa are closest, just 14.4 km apart. Throughout history, it has been more of a bridge than a border, fostering shared cultures and histories. This area sees 20% of the world’s cargo traffic, linking the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.
From east (on the left) to west (on the right), we can observe 60 km of the African coast:
- Ceuta: A city with Phoenician, Roman (Septem Frates), Byzantine, and Muslim (Sebta) roots. Conquered by the Portuguese in 1451 and later by the Spanish in 1580.
- Yabal Musa: Part of the Rif mountains, meaning “Mountain of Musa” (the governor who led the conquest of al-Andalus). It parallels Gibraltar, “Yabal Tariq” (dedicated to the general who commanded the troops).
- Perejil Islet: With a tiny surface area, it occupies a strategic enclave. It came under Spanish control with Ceuta, preserving remnants of a watchtower and a cistern. In the 19th century, it was contested by Great Britain and the United States, gaining national attention in 2002 during a diplomatic incident.
- Tangier Med: Inaugurated in 2007, this massive port centralizes most of the traffic between both shores, featuring container cranes. On the hillside closing the bay to the north, large Arabic letters proclaim the motto: Allah, al-Watan, al-Malik – ” God, The Nation, The King “
- Qsar al-Seguir: An ancient city that served as the main Maghreb passage with Tarifa during Muslim rule. It had a symbolic circular wall and was destroyed in 1550 after being conquered by the Portuguese, remaining abandoned since.
- Tangier: The legendary city of Tingis, naming the province of Mauretania Tingitana. Muslims call it Tanya. It passed through Portuguese, Spanish, and British hands between the 15th and 17th centuries, destroyed after them. Its peak was when it was declared as an international city in 1923 until some years after Morocco’s independence occurred in 1956. Today, it experiences a remarkable demographic growth.
- Cape Spartel: Closing the bay of Tangier, this cape marks the southern turn of the Tingitana Peninsula. Next to it are the Caves of Hercules.
Text: Alejandro Pérez-Malumbres Landa
Translation: Juan Glez. Fleta
Format: PANORAMIC STAND
Image: PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE GUIDE, WHERE POINTS ARE MARKED. Photo: Manuel Rojas
8-SANTA MARIA SQUARE, “La Ranita”
It was the main square of Tarifa, overlooking the original neighborhood of Almedina, serving as an acropolis or upper city. It even became bullfigting arena. Its official name of Santa María derives from the church that stands at one of its corners, while the popular name “La Ranita” comes from a fountain in its center, the original dates back to 1927. It has had other names, such as Constitution Square, the 1868 Revolution Square, the Republic Square, and more. Several interesting public buildings stand around it.
Text: Alejandro Pérez-Malumbres Landa
Translation: Juan Glez. Fleta
