The Bib-Rambla Gate and Its Locations in Granada

Walking through the green areas of the Alhambra, along the central path, you will find an ancient Arab gate built in stone. Dating back to the Nasrid period, it is marked on signs as the Arch of the Ears. Its real name is the Bib-rambla Gate, known over time by many other names: Arch of the Ears, Gate of the Sandbank, Gate of Weights, Gate of Hands, Gate of Knives, and Gate of the Horse.

This gate was once part of the walls of the old city of Granada. Over time, for various reasons, it became part of the Alhambra Monumental Complex.

Yusuf I ordered the construction of the Bib-rambla Gate at the spot where Salamanca Street now meets Arco de las Orejas Street.

The Gate of the Rambla was a square tower. On its exterior side stood a horseshoe arch ten meters high, made of stone from Sierra Elvira. Inside, there was an open space used both to guard the walls and to defend the entrance. Directly in front, a smaller arch gave it a resemblance to the Gate of Justice.

THE GATE’S RELOCATION AND TORRES BALBÁS

In 1873, work began to dismantle the Bib-rambla Gate. Four local businessmen and members of Granada’s bourgeoisie led the initiative, claiming the gate hindered economic growth in the area and in the city.

Demolition was completed on September 3, 1884. Many intellectuals and heritage defenders protested at the time, seeking to preserve Granada’s artistic heritage.

After dismantling, each piece was stored in the Archaeological Museum of Granada. Nearly 50 years later, architect Leopoldo Torres Balbás reconstructed the gate in its current location.

Today, it belongs to the Alhambra Monumental Complex and stands along the Alhambra promenades. Thousands of visitors admire it every year, although several original elements were lost during demolition. For reconstruction, new stones and bricks were added to replace them.

In 2016, restoration work on a building at its former site uncovered remains of the wall that once supported the gate.