The Almohads – (Moroccans) built a city wall in the 12th century around Cadiz. During the reign of Alfonso X (1252 – 1284), the  Puerta del Mar (Sea Gate) was created to be the main entrance into the city from the port. In 1587, a painting by Antonio Franco of the Virgin of Pópulo was placed above the portal. In 1596, the religious image was defaced with bullets by Anglo-Dutch soldiers. A few years later, a Pópulo chapel was constructed above the arch. At the beginning of the 17th century, the chapel of Nuestra Señora del Pópulo was built before it which gives it the current appearance of a passage.

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