The Plaza de Armas of the Royal Walls comprises Ceuta's primary defensive fortification system, constructed over several centuries with the main works built between 1541 and 1549 under the direction of Spanish architect Miguel Arruda during the reign of King John III of Portugal. The walls span several kilometers and feature distinctive bastions including Coraza Alta, Bandera, and Mallorquines, along with a navigable moat and historic drawbridge. Built using advanced military architecture of the Renaissance period, the Royal Walls protected Ceuta against invaders and served as a crucial strategic element in Mediterranean defense. Restored in modern times, these monuments remain accessible to visitors and represent significant engineering achievements in European-African military heritage.
