The history of Córdoba’s walls goes back over 2,200 years. First the Romans built an 8,690 foot fortification following the Battle of Ilipa in 206 BC. Some sections were torn down for urban expansion after Roman Emperor Augustus granted the city Colonia Patricia status in 46 AD. During the Islamic rule, few changes were made from 711 until the 11th century. That changed radically after 1085. The Muslims encircled the Axerquía suburb to the east of the old Roman settlement of Medina. The defenses from both eras were breeched in 1236 by the Christians. Afterwards, they strengthened existing walls and extended them to the south during the 14th century. Additional reconstruction occurred in the 15th and 16th centuries. Finally, after the walls lost their protective value, many were demolished in the 19th century. This wall along Calle Cairuán was constructed by the Christians in the 14th century. The white statue by artist Pablo Yusti on the left is Averroes, a 14th century philosopher.
