Identification of the most recent fortified structures and recognition of surviving historical evidence

The military function of Segovia's walls had disappeared by the beginning of the Modern Age, with a centralized government being set up in the 16th century, which meant the loss of collection of taxes, since these were controlled by the State. As a consequence of this, the walls began to decline. Moreover, the walls became an obstacle to city development and there were also quarrels and controversies about financing repair works.
The following facts must also be taken into consideration:
- use of the walls as a quarry
- use of the walls as a rubbish dump
- appropriation of the walls by private citizens and religious congregations
- loss of symbolic and territorial meaning.

During the 19th century, the walls were considered to be an obstacle and their systematic demolition began. On the contrary, in the 20th century, serious efforts were made to preserve monuments, and therefore there was a lot of recovery work, such as:
1946 - Restoration of the Santigo gate
1949 - Reconstruction of the Consuelo door
1957/9 - Repair work on the walls close to the Alcazar
1960/70 - Restoration of different sections of the wall
1968 - Reconstruction of the wall crown around San Juan
1970 - Repair of the Santiago and San Andres gates
2000 - Reconstruction of a block on the northern walls

The philosophy lying behind the conservation policy is explained in a plan of historical-artistic features for the walls:
a) To preserve, recover and increase the identity of the walled enclosure.
b) To conserve the artistic, environmental and historical heritage of existing buildings and spaces.
c) To make some areas pedestrian areas, thereby reinstating the original paths, itineraries, etc.
d) To draw up a catalogue of buildings, spaces and natural or artificial elements making up the walled enclosure.
The Spanish Historical Heritage Law of 1985 establishes conservation of our heritage, and the Castile and León Heritage Law shows the great interest of our community in defending and protecting this common heritage.