The arch is named after San Juan because it is the arch that’s path led to the hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe (named after John the Baptist). This was the main gate of the wall because of the structure above the arch in shape of a tower.
The XIV century arch has an interior and exterior gate. The interior gate is shorter with a lower pitch, while the exterior is taller and ends in a point. In the space between them the gate could be opened and closed. Above the interior arch there is an opening in the wall with the image of Saint John inside.
In the XIII and XIV centuries, Bermeo was the head of Bizkaia and the village with most economic activity thanks to the port which had more commerce than most in the entire Iberian Peninsula. Large quantities of fish were exported to the interior part of the peninsula in exchange for wine, wood and coal which was then transported by sea.
