Alcazaba of Málaga facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alcazaba of Málaga |
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| Alcazaba de Málaga | |
| Málaga, Spain | |
The Alcazaba of Málaga from the sea.
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| Coordinates | 36°43′17″N 4°24′56″W / 36.72139°N 4.41556°W |
| Type | Palatial fortress |
| Site information | |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Condition | Well-preserved (partly reconstructed) |
| Site history | |
| Built | 10th century- 15th century |
| Built by | Hammudids, Nasrids |
The Alcazaba (pronounced al-ka-THA-ba) is a large fortress-palace in Málaga, Spain. It was built when Muslims ruled parts of Spain, known as Al-Andalus. Construction began in the 11th century and continued with changes and rebuilding until the 14th century. It is one of the best-preserved alcazabas (which means "citadel" or "fortress") in Spain.
The Alcazaba is connected by a special walled path to the higher Gibralfaro Castle. Right next to the Alcazaba's entrance, you can also see the remains of an old Roman theater from the 1st century AD.
What is the Alcazaba's History?
The hill where the Alcazaba stands, along with Gibralfaro, was first settled by the Phoenicians around 600 BC. Remains of their old walls have been found there. Later, when the Romans controlled the city (after 205 BC), the area had a Roman villa and workshops. A Roman theater, which you can still see today, was built into the hillside in the 1st century AD.
After Muslims took over the Iberian Peninsula in the early 700s, historical records mention a fortress on the hill. It was built by Abd al-Rahman I (who ruled from 756–788) and even had a mosque inside.
Who Built the Alcazaba?
The Alcazaba you see today was started by the Hammudid dynasty in the early 11th century. This was likely during the rule of Yahya I (1021–1036). Some of the palace parts still standing might be from this time.
After the Zirids of Granada took Málaga in 1056, more parts were added. This happened during the rule of Badis ibn Habus (died 1073). He might have added the double walls or rebuilt larger sections.
In the early 14th century, when Málaga was part of the Emirate of Granada, the Alcazaba was largely rebuilt. This was done by the Nasrid ruler Muhammad II of Granada. He improved both the defenses and the royal homes.
How Was Gibralfaro Castle Connected?
The Gibralfaro Castle, on a higher hill nearby, was built by the Nasrid ruler Yusuf I of Granada (who ruled from 1333–1354). It was also built on the site of older forts. Yusuf I also created the famous walled path connecting the castle to the lower Alcazaba. This made the whole complex almost impossible to attack!
When Did the Christians Take Over?
Towards the end of the Reconquista (the Christian reconquest of Spain), the Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella captured Málaga from the Muslims. This happened during the Siege of Málaga (1487), which started on May 6, 1487, and ended on August 18 of the same year. After their victory, the monarchs proudly placed their flag at the Torre del Homenaje (Tower of Tribute) inside the fortress.
What Happened to the Alcazaba Later?
From the 18th century onwards, the Alcazaba was no longer used for military purposes. People started living there, and it became a regular neighborhood. However, starting in 1933, under the direction of Leopoldo Torres Balbás, the residents moved out. Restoration work began, along with archaeological digs to uncover its history.
What Does the Alcazaba Look Like?
The Alcazaba of Málaga is built on a hill in the city center, looking out over the port. It has two sets of walls, one inside the other. Each wall has towers for defense. The inner area, at the very top of the hill, holds the palaces.
To reach the palace areas, you had to pass through five gates! This design, with its double walls and strong entrances, shows how important it was for rulers to have a super-strong fortress during this time. The fortress was also once connected to the city's main walls, which formed a third layer of defense.
According to the architect Leopoldo Torres Balbás, the Alcazaba of Málaga is a great example of military architecture from the Taifa period in Spain. It's known for its double walls and huge entrance defenses.
The Outer (Lower) Fortress
The main entrance to the Alcazaba is a winding path that goes through several gates. It even turns back on itself twice! This "bent entrance" design was meant to make it very hard for attackers to get through.
- The Puerta de la Bóveda ('Gate of the Vault') is one of these bending gates.
- Next is the Puerta de las Columnas ('Gate of the Columns'). This gate is simpler and straight. It gets its name from two Roman-era columns and capitals (the tops of columns) that were reused from the nearby Roman theater. In the 18th century, the mayor of the Alcazaba built his home on top of this gate. Over time, houses covered much of the entrance path, so by the 19th century, it was called the "Alcazaba Tunnel."
After the Puerta de las Columnas, a narrow, walled space continues upwards. This leads to the Arco del Cristo ('Arch of the Christ', also called the Torre del Cristo, 'Tower of the Christ'). This is another bent-entrance gate that finally takes you into the outer fortress area. The gate and its tower are named this way because a room in the tower was used as a chapel in the 19th century and had a picture of Christ.
Just past this gate, inside the outer fortress, is an open area called the Plaza de las Armas ('Place of Arms'). Today, it's filled with gardens. While no original parts remain here, archaeologists found traces of an old church. This church was likely built after the city was captured by Christians, on top of an earlier mosque.
Some parts of the outer fortress are not open to visitors. This includes a large well called the Pozo Airón. It goes 30 meters deep into the rock, reaching a natural water source that supplied the fortress's residents.
- Gates of the Alcazaba
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External view towards the entrance fortifications of the Alcazaba
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View of the entrance passage and outer gates of the Alcazaba
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The bending passage of the Puerta de la Bóveda
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Puerta de las Columnas
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Puerta del Cristo, the final gate to the outer citadel
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Puerta de los Cuartos de Granada, the entrance to the inner citadel
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The Inner (Upper) Fortress
The inner, or upper, fortress can only be reached through the Puerta de los Cuartos de Granada ('Gate of the Granada Quarters'). This gate is very strongly built and is on the western side of the inner area. It has towers on both sides and a straight passage with two doorways. Between the doorways is a small open space where defenders could attack intruders from above.
This gate fell apart over the centuries and was mostly torn down in 1854. The gate you see today was rebuilt in the 20th century using old drawings. On the eastern side of the inner fortress is the large Torre del Homenaje ('Tower of Tribute'). It was built in the 11th century and rebuilt during the Nasrid period. During the 20th-century repairs, the tower was carefully preserved instead of being completely rebuilt.
Inside the inner fortress are several courtyard homes known as the Cuartos de Granada (Quarters of Granada). These were where the kings and governors lived.
The Oldest Palace (Taifa Period)
The first palace, located furthest south, is the only one from the Taifa period (11th century). The northern part of this palace is gone today, replaced by trees. Only the southern part, or pavilion, remains. It was also heavily restored by Leopoldo Torres Balbás in the early 20th century.
This pavilion has an inner front (facing north to what was once a courtyard). You enter through a wide portico with arches. These arches were restored by Torres Balbás in a Nasrid style, but they might stand on original foundations. Behind this is a small rectangular room. You enter it through another arcade with three horseshoe arches. These arches are supported by two columns in the middle and two columns attached to the sides. They are decorated with carved arabesque designs, with plain and decorated voussoirs (wedge-shaped stones) alternating. This arcade looks like the older style from Madinat al-Zahra (10th-century), but it's smaller and simpler. This part might be from the early days of Hammudid rule, under Yahya I (1021-1036).
Next to the main room, on the southwest side, is a small side area. A square room at the entrance of this area has pairs of intersecting multifoil arches on all four sides. (The arches on the southwest side, looking towards the city and sea, were added by Torres Balbás). These multifoil arches are similar to those found in the 10th-century expansion of the Great Mosque of Cordoba. However, they are simpler and mostly for decoration, hinting at the more complex arches seen later in the 11th-century Aljaferia Palace in Zaragoza.
Right behind the southern pavilion is an outer defense tower called the Torre de Maldonado. It was changed by the Almohads in the 12th-13th century, and you can still see some decorations from that time. Across from it, to the northeast, is a large room from the 16th century (after the Christian conquest). It has a wooden Mudéjar ceiling. Today, this room holds a model of the Alcazaba.
The Nasrid Palace and Houses
The rest of the area northeast of the Taifa palace is a Nasrid palace. It has many rooms and covered walkways arranged around two rectangular courtyards. Most of this palace was rebuilt or restored in the 20th century based on what archaeologists found.
- The first (southern) courtyard is called the Patio de los Naranjos ('Courtyard of the Orange Trees'). It still has two original pools and their tiled floors.
- The second (northern) courtyard is known as the Patio de la Alberca ('Courtyard of the Pool'). It has one long central pool, also surrounded by original tile paving.
On the northeast side of this section is another courtyard, the Patio del Aljibe. It might have been part of the Nasrid palace too. Today, it's where the Alcazaba's restoration workshop is located. It's named after a water tank (cistern) built underneath it, which is about 25 square meters in size.
The space between the Nasrid palace and the Torre del Homenaje is called the Barrio Castrense ('Military District'). It's thought to be from the 11th century and was likely where the ruler's other officials and servants lived. This area is one of the best-preserved parts of the fortress because it wasn't rebuilt or changed in later centuries. However, it is not open to the public today. The area has eight houses connected by narrow streets. Some of the houses were rebuilt in the 20th century, while others were preserved and are protected by a roof. One of the largest houses even has its own hammam (bath facility) and toilets.
See Also
In Spanish: Alcazaba de Málaga para niños
- Taifa of Málaga
- Moorish architecture
- Spanish architecture
