The Porta de la Gabella near Plaça Reina has recently undergone a bit of a face-lift. The newly restored archway is also known as the Porta de l’Almudí in reference to its Arab origins. The name comes from the Arab word al-mudí, a measurement for grain and salt. Another name for the passage way is Arc de la Gabella de la Sal, because a tax was levied in the building next door to the arch, the Gabella de la Sal, on any transaction of salt. In medieval times, salt was an essential commodity because it was one of the few known ways of conserving food. The Gabella de la Sal building is today known as the Antic Quarter d’Intendència (Quartermasters headquarter). It is occupied by the Spanish Fuerzas Armadas (Armed Forces) and hence, is off-limits to us mere mortals.

The photo was taken in Palma de Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The date: November 24th, 2009. The time was 15:10:43.