Torres de Serranos

At the northern edge of Valencia’s old town, Torres de Serranos is a 14th-century Gothic gate built into the city’s medieval defensive wall. It is one of only two surviving gates from the original wall, and its scale and stonework are striking from the street. Inside, you can explore several levels and climb narrow stairs to terraces overlooking the historic centre and Turia Gardens. The visit fits easily into a walk through El Carmen, but the upper levels are reached by steep stairs.

A gate in Valencia’s medieval wall

Torres de Serranos was built in the 14th century as part of the Christian wall that enclosed Valencia. It stood at a major entrance to the city, on the route connecting Valencia with the district of Els Serrans. The gate’s name comes from that connection.

The towers are one of two surviving gates from the medieval wall. The other is Torres de Quart. When the city walls were demolished in 1865, Torres de Serranos was spared. Its thick stone structure, arches and paired towers still give a sense of how the entrance was built to defend the city.

From entrance to prison

The gate’s role changed over time. It was used for ceremonial occasions as well as defence, and the towers later held prison cells for nobles. The prison operated from 1586 to 1887. The exterior also bears marks from past conflict, including cannonball and bullet holes.

During the Spanish Civil War, the towers were used to safeguard important works of art. These changing uses place the monument within several chapters of Valencia’s history, beyond its original function as a city entrance.