It is the most visible and best preserved element of the Andalusian city. They were built from the citadel to surround and protect the medina. After the conquest, they lost their function and were absorbed by the neighbouring houses. A large part of the walls of the old ramparts can still be seen in the Plaza de la Constitución, Calle de las Tiendas and Murallas Altas, but not the four access gates, of which only one has partially survived. The 15th-century theologian al-Wansharisi cites them in his work when discussing a habiz (endowment) of which “one part is for guarding Christians approaching Balish, and the other part is for those who keep watch at night and spend the night on the city walls”.