Walking through Puerta de Almodóvar feels like stepping through a genuine piece of medieval Córdoba that somehow survived while everything else around it changed. This stone gateway, tucked into the western wall of the old city, is one of only three original entrances that remain from the ancient fortifications.

The Arabs called it Bab al-Yawz, the Gate of the Walnut Tree. That name disappeared after the Christian reconquest in 1236, when it became known for the road that led to the town of Almodóvar del Río. What strikes me most about this gate is how it's built - two rectangular towers connected by a slightly pointed arch that creates a barrel vault overhead. The stonework is solid sandstone blocks, though you can spot later additions from various restorations over the centuries.

The current structure dates mainly from the 14th century, when Christians rebuilt it on the original Arab foundations. They kept the essential defensive design but added their own touches. The original arch was actually sealed up in the early 1800s and replaced with a simple rectangular doorway, which gives it a somewhat patched-up appearance if you look closely.

Calle Cairuán runs alongside the wall here, and it's one of those spots where Córdoba's layered history becomes tangible. The street itself was created in the 1960s when they built the water feature that flows down a series of small pools. Before that renovation, this was just a small stream running along the base of the wall.

Right next to the gate stands a bronze statue of Seneca, the Roman philosopher who was born in Córdoba. There's an interesting story behind it - the famous bullfighter Manuel Benítez "El Cordobés" paid for the statue in 1965, apparently as compensation for some urban planning issues. Further down the street, you'll find another statue honoring Averroes, the medieval Muslim philosopher. Two great thinkers, a thousand years apart, now facing each other across a few meters of stone.

If you want to dig deeper into the gate's history, an audio guide can provide additional context about the medieval fortification system. The judería spreads out just beyond this entrance, making it a natural starting point for exploring Córdoba's most atmospheric neighborhood. The contrast between the sturdy medieval stonework and the delicate water gardens creates an unexpectedly peaceful corner in this ancient Andalusian city.