Alcazaba

Alcazaba is a fortress, palace fortification or citadel in Málaga, built during Arab rule. The fortress began to be built in the 8th century, but the main construction works were carried out until the middle of the 9th century. The Alcazaba was built by the rulers of the Zirid dynasty, who ruled Granada, to be the seat of the governor of Málaga. The Alcazaba is one of the few fortifications of this period in Spain that has been perfectly preserved. Alcazaba was built on the site of ancient Roman buildings. Not so long ago near the fortress were discovered ruins of the Roman theatre, built in the I century. For the construction of the fortress partially used materials from this ancient Roman building.

Description

The Alcazaba Fortress is located on a hill in the centre of Málaga, it sits above the harbour. The fortress consists of two walls, and was originally also connected to the walls of the city, which were the third defence barrier. Today only two walls of the fortress have survived. The first wall of the fortress exactly repeats the relief of the hill, it is designed to protect the inner space. Towers were used to reinforce the fortress. The entrance to the fortress is through the Vaulted Gate (Puerta de la Boveda). Also nowadays, the fortress is equipped with a lift.

The entrance gate to the fortress has an original design, its flaps are closed one on the other, this made it difficult for the attacking troops to storm the fortress.

There are numerous landscaped gardens and fountains on the territory of the fortress.

The inner wall of the Alcazaba fortress also has only one entrance - the Gate of the Granada Flats (Puerta de los Cuartos de Granada). Inside the second wall there was a palace and other living quarters, these were built between the eleventh and fourteenth centuries. The architecture of this part of the Alcazaba is in the Nasrid style. Now they house an archaeological museum.
Of the original structure, the first line of defence, located on the sea side, which consisted of walls and towers, has not survived. The chapel, built on the site of the old mosque, has not been preserved either.

The internal area of the fortress is thousands of square metres, of which thousands of square metres are occupied by living quarters and about the same number of military buildings.

The Alcazaba had a defensive purpose, and also housed the seat of government and the city hierarchy.

History

When Andalusia was conquered by the Arabs in the early 8th century, Abd al-Aziz ibn Musa became the governor of Malaga. The city became part of the Caliphate of Cordoba. But after the Omeyad dynasty fell, Málaga became the capital of a separate Arab state subject to Granada. The local population often revolted against Berber and Arab rule. After the largest of a series of such revolts, an Islamic system of civil society organisation was established in Málaga in 928 by the ruler Abd-al-Rahman III. This stimulated the development of the city and stimulated agriculture in the province. Farmers engaged in intensive agriculture, trade and crafts flourished. The city grew and developed.

In the middle of the XI century, the Alcazaba citadel was built on the Gibralfaro mountain in the centre of the city by the third ruler of Granada, Badis Ben Habus. The fortress had two walls on the city side and three walls on the sea side. There were 110 towers around the circumference of the fortress. Inside the fortress there were separate residential quarters and gardens.

Marble, statues and columns from the ancient Roman theatre were used for the construction of Alcazaba. Alcazaba became a residence for the rulers of Malaga. The palaces of Alcazaba were occupied by the rulers of several dynasties. In 1239 the city was captured by Mohammed I ibn Nasr and became part of the Kingdom of Granada. Málaga remained under the rule of the Nasrid dynasty until its capture by the Castilians.

Málaga was a centre of shipbuilding and trade, the city had a trade agreement with Genoa, this made the city the main sea gateway of the Kingdom of Granada. At that time the city had a population of about 15,000 people, most of the inhabitants were Muslims, with a small proportion of Jews and Christians.

The city was usually ruled by a Moorish prince who lived in Alcazaba, accompanied by his retinue and officials.

Excursion

The Alcazaba fortress is accessed through the Vaulted Gate, then the road passes through the Columned Gate and leads to the Christ Gate, through which we enter the interior of the fortress. The first thing you will see is a small armoury courtyard.

To see the palace rooms of the fortress, you will need to find the Gate of the Granada Flats, they are located on the west side of the fortress. Passing through them, you will see a courtyard with fountains. Also in this place you can climb the fortress walls, from there you will have a magnificent view of the city. From the Courtyard of Fountains, you can pass through an archway to the Maldonado Tower and the Armoury Tower.

The living quarters of the palace are organised around inner rectangular courtyards, around which the living quarters are arranged. The first one you will see is the front patio of the Orange Trees, followed by the Pool Patio.

The best way to see the Alcazaba is on a guided tour. The palace has daily organised guided tours at 4pm with guides, the language of the tour is English or Spanish.

Guided tour

How to get to the citadel

Visits to the Alcazaba Castle are on a scheduled basis. There is a summer and winter schedule.

• Winter period 1 November - 31 March: from 9-00 to 18-00, the last visitor is allowed in 17-15.
  
• Summer period 1 April - 31 October: from 9-00 to 20-00, the last visitor is allowed in at 19-15.
  

The lift leading to the Nasrid palaces does not work on Mondays (it is necessary to find out about its functioning on the official website).

Ticket price

Ticket prices to visit the Alcazaba Fortress and the Gibralfaro Castle in Málaga:

• Adult ticket to visit the Alcazaba: €3.50.
  
• Preferential ticket (for students, pensioners, people over 65, disabled and unemployed): 1.50 euros.
  
• Combined ticket to visit Alcazaba and Ghibralfaro Castle: €5.50.
  
• Preferential combined ticket: €2.50.
  

Tickets can be purchased at the entrance to the castle and at ticket vending machines installed on site. Online ticket sales are also available, avoiding queues and speeding up the entry process.

How to get there

To get to the Alcazaba Palace in Málaga, you can use several bus routes that pass through the central parts of the city and provide easy access to this historic landmark. The most suitable routes are buses numbered 1, 3, 11, 19, 32, 33, 34, 35 and the night route N1. It is recommended to get off at the Paseo del Parque - Ayuntamiento or Alameda Principal stops, which are just a short walk from the Alcazaba. These stops are located in Málaga's park and main street, making them ideal for starting your tour.

If you plan to visit the Alcazaba in the evening or at night, note that the night buses (N1, N2, N3, N4) continue until late at night, providing a convenient return to other parts of the city after your tour. Alternatively, it is possible to reach the palace by taxi, especially if you are travelling with luggage or in company. A taxi from the centre of Málaga will cost around 4-6 euros and will only take a few minutes.

It is worth noting that the Alcazaba is located on the Ghibralfaro hill, and the views of the city and coastline are magnificent as you climb up to the palace. Therefore, if time permits, you can walk to enjoy the panorama of Málaga. The entrance to the palace is located next to the Roman Theatre on Calle Alcazabilla

Málaga sights near the Alcazaba Fortress

The Alcazaba Fortress in Málaga is not only fascinating for its historical significance and architecture, but it is also surrounded by many other important sights that are definitely worth a visit. Here is a list of the main ones:

1. Roman Theatre: Built in the 1st century BC, this theatre is one of the best preserved Roman structures in Spain. It is located at the foot of the Alcazaba fortress and offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in ancient history.
   
2. Ghibralfaro Castle: Just a short walk from Alcazaba is this majestic castle. Climbing to its summit will reward you with stunning views of Málaga and the Mediterranean Sea.
   
3. Málaga Cathedral: Famous for its unfinished tower, La Manquita, the cathedral is breathtaking in its splendour and rich history. It is located near the fortress and is a must-see on any traveller's itinerary.
   
4. Picasso Museum: This museum houses an extensive collection of works by the world famous artist Pablo Picasso, who was born in Málaga. The museum is within walking distance of the Alcazaba.
   
5. Plaza Merced: This historic square is known for its cosy cafes and restaurants, as well as the statue of Picasso sitting on a bench. It's a great place to relax and observe city life.
   
6. Atarazanas Central Market: Housed in a building that was once a monastery, this market offers a wide range of fresh produce and local specialities.
   
7. Parque de Málaga: This park is a great place to walk and relax amongst greenery and fountains, and is close to the harbour.
   
8. Plaza de la Constitución: The main square of the city, where cultural events and festivities are often held. It is also surrounded by numerous shops and cafes.
   

All of these attractions are in close proximity to the Alcazaba Fortress, making it an ideal starting point for exploring Málaga's rich cultural and historical heritage. Visit Málaga and discover its multifaceted beauty!

• Phone:
  
  • 951 92 60 51
    
• e-mail:
  
  • gmpalcazaba@malaga.eu
    
• Official website:
  
  • alcazabaygibralfaro.malaga.eu