Alcazaba

Castle in Granada

The Walls Of Alhambra, Granada — CC BY-SA 4.0 / Øyvind Holmstad

The Alcazaba is a Moorish fortification withing the Alhambra Complex in Grenada, Spain.

Within the limits of Alhambra is the Alcazaba, a walled fortification meant for the rulers and their subjects. According to some sources, Alhambra’s Alcazaba was said to be built around the 11th century. This later became the last Moorish stronghold of Al-Andalus, and as such, is at the center of historical attention.

History of Alcazaba

The Alcazaba, a fortress, is one of the oldest part of the Alhambra. It is thought that before it was built and before the Muslims arrived to Granada, there were already several constructions in the same area. Its first historical reference dates from the 9th century and it is believed that it was then built by Sawwar ben Hamdun during the fights between Muslims and muwalladins, who were Christians who had converted to the Islam and lived among the Muslims.

The current complex was built by Mohammed I, who constructed the ramparts around the previous castle, defenses and three new towers: Torre Quebrada or The Broken Tower, the Torre del Homenaje or Keep and the Torre de la Vela or Watch Tower. As a consequence, the Alcazaba became a real fortress, where the king established the royal residence. His son Mohammed II also had his residence in the Alcazaba, until the palaces were finished. After the palaces were completed, the Alcazaba was used exclusively for military purposes.

When the Christians subsequently took over, they carried out restorative work on the structure. For long periods of time, including during the French occupation. the castle was State prison. Since then, until the late 19th century, the Alcazaba lay unattended. It was restored during the 19th and 20th Centuries.

Where does the name Alcazaba come from?

The word derives from the Arabic word al-qasbah, a walled-fortification in a city.

Where is the Alcazaba located?

The Alcazaba is located to the west of the Plaza de Los Aljibes and the Puerta del Vino.

What to see in the Alcazaba

Puerta de las Armas: Puerta de las Armas was one of the four city gates giving access to the Alhambra from the City of Granada. It lies below the Torre de las Armas.Torre de las Armas: This tower sit atop the Puerta de las Armas. It offers great views down to the Darro river, the San Pedro Forest and the City of Granada.
Torre de la Vela: The Torre de la Vela or Candle Tower is the large tower that dominates the Alcazaba, with its flags and the bell tower. The flag of Ferdinand and Isabella was first raised from here as a symbol of the Spanish conquest of Granada on 2 January 1492.
Plaza de las Armas: Plaza de las Armas is the main body of the castle courtyard. It would have been full of military buildings and barracks. The remains of a rainwater cistern, a bath house, and a dungeon can be found. This is a great place to view to the towers of the Alcazaba.
Torre del Homenaje: The Torre del Homenaje or Tower of Homage is one of the defensive towers of the Alcazaba. It is the northernmost tower on the east wall of the Alcazaba.
Torre Quebrada: The Torre Quebrada or The Broken Tower is one of the defensive towers of the Alcazaba. It is the middle tower on the east wall of the Alcazaba.
Torre del Adarguero: The Torre del Adarguero or Shield-makers Tower is one of the defensive towers of the Alcazaba. It is the southernmost tower on the east wall of the Alcazaba. It is also known as the Torre Hueca or Hollow Tower.
Torre de la Sultana: The Torre de la Sultana or the Tower of the Sultana (Queen or Princess) is defensive tower of the Alcazaba. It is the middle tower on the south wall of the Alcazaba.
Torre de la Pólvora: The Torre de la Pólvora or the Powder Tower is defensive tower of the Alcazaba. It is the westernmost tower on the south wall of the Alcazaba. This tower used to store Gunpowder and contained a firing battery.
Torre de los Hidalgos: The Torre de los Hidalgos or Tower of the Nobles is a defensive tower of the Alcazaba de la Alhambra in Grenada. It is the westernmost tower of the Alcazaba.
Torre de los Hidalgos: The Torre de los Hidalgos or Tower of the Nobles is a defensive tower of the Alcazaba de la Alhambra in Grenada. It is the westernmost tower of the Alcazaba, located to the northwest of the Torre de la Vela.
Torre de Alquiza: The Torre de Alquiza or the Tower of Alquiza is a small, solid defensive tower, of the Alcazaba. It is a the middle tower on the north wall.
Torre del Criado del Doctor Ortiz: Torre del Criado del Doctor Ortiz or The Tower of the Servant of Dr Oritz is a small, solid defensive tower, of the Alcazaba. It is the easternmost tower o the north wall.
Torre del Cubo: The semicircular Torre del Cubo or Turret Tower, for example, was built at the base of the Torre del Homenaje for reinforcement.
Puerta de la Tahona: The Puerta de la Tahona or Gate of the Bakery was an old inner gate that was not rediscovered until 1952. It sits underneath the Torre del Cubo.
Jardín de Los Adarves: The Jardines de los Adarves or Gardens of the Adarves are gardens located on the low adarve or parapet of the fortress and it is one of the places from which you can admire one of the most beautiful landscapes in the city.
Puerta de las Armas: In Nasrid times, the so-called Puerta de las Armas or Bab al-Silah (as it was known since the end of the 15th century) communicated the city of Granada, through the Almanzora neighborhood.

The Alcazaba appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Granada!

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Visiting Alcazaba

Hours:

For opening times of the Alcazaba see Alhambra Opening Times.

The Alcazaba is part of the Alhambra Complex and access it you need to purchase Alhambra Tickets or a Alhambra Guided Tour.

Address: Alcazaba 18009 Granada Spain

Telephone: +34 858 95 36 16

Duration: 1 hours

Official Website