Alcazaba of Mérida facts for kids
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Alcazaba de Mérida
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| Location | Mérida (Badajoz), Spain |
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| Type | Alcazaba |
| Official name: Alcazaba | |
| Type: | Cultural |
| Criteria: | iii, iv |
| Designated: | 1993 (17th session) |
| Part of: | Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida |
| Reference #: | 664-004 |
| Region: | Europe and North America |
| Official name: Alcazaba-conventual | |
| Type: | Non-movable |
| Criteria: | Monument |
| Designated: | 13 December 1912 |
| Reference #: | RI-51-0000124 |
The Alcazaba of Mérida is a really old fortress in Mérida, Spain. It was built by Muslims way back in the 800s. This amazing historical building is part of the UNESCO Heritage List. This means it's considered super important for everyone in the world to protect and learn about.
Contents
What is the Alcazaba of Mérida?
The Alcazaba is a type of fortress built by Muslims in Spain. This one in Mérida was the very first of its kind. It was built in 835 by a ruler named Abd ar-Rahman II. He was the emir (a type of ruler) of Córdoba. He built it to control the city of Mérida because the people there had rebelled in 805.
Strong Walls and Towers
The Alcazaba has huge square walls. Each side is about 130 meters long. The walls are 10 meters high and 2.7 meters thick! They were built using old Roman and Visigothic stones. These stones came from buildings that were already there.
The walls also have 25 towers. These towers have a square base. They also worked as buttresses. Buttresses are supports that help make the walls even stronger.
Water Inside the Fortress
Inside the Alcazaba, there's a special water tank called an aljibe. This tank was used to collect rainwater. It also had a system to filter water from the nearby Guadiana river. This meant the people inside the fortress always had fresh water.
Entering the Alcazaba
You can get to the Alcazaba from the Roman bridge (called Puente Romano). There's a small area you go through first. People used to call this area Alcarazejo. It was used to check people and goods coming into the city.
Next to this area is the military part of the fortress. Its gate has two towers on either side. Above the gate, there's an inscription. It celebrates Abd ar-Rahman for building this amazing place.
Other Parts of the Site
Right next to the Alcazaba, there used to be a convent. This was a building for a religious group called the Order of Santiago. Today, this building is used by the local government of Extremadura.
Ancient Discoveries
When people dug around the fortress, they found even older things! They found a well-preserved part of a Roman road. This road also goes to another important area called the Morerías Archaeological Area.
They also found an old Roman house. This house was changed many times over the years. It faced the same Roman street. You can also see a part of the original Roman wall. Next to it is a very strong buttress. This buttress was built using old granite pieces. Experts think this buttress is from the 400s AD.
Gallery
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The strong walls of the Alcazaba.
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Another view of the ancient walls.
See also
In Spanish: Alcazaba de Mérida para niños
