Muslim Almería

La Alcazaba Monument

The Alcazaba has 1,430 metres of walled perimeter; it is the second biggest Moorish construction after the Alhambra. In the X Century, Abderraman III ordered the Fortress to be built after founding the City. The Fortress is structured in three enclosures, the first two Moorish and the last one Christian. Works on the Christian enclosure began after the Catholic Kings conquered the City in 1489.

The Fortress is located on a hill overlooking the primitive urban nucleus, la Medina. In the First Enclosure of today is Alcazaba, there is an extensive garden area and Moorish Aljibes (water cisterns).                                        

The Great XI Century Palace of King Almotacín is located in the Second Enclosure. This area was made up of a public area, where today, you can find the Aljibes from the Caliphate period, a Christian arch which belonged to the residence of the first Christian governor, two reconstructed buildings, the Mudejar style chapel devoted to San Juan, public rest-rooms, among other facilities.                                                                 

The House of Government or Palace reception area was also located in the central part of the Enclosure. The private quarters of King is Almotacin is Palace were located at the top part of the Enclosure nearest to the Third Enclosure. The only Remains of the Palace are the private baths and the only wall to be standing is the so called Mirador or Ventana de la Odalisca (observation point or window to the harem). This Window contains a curious legend referring to a love story between a Christian prisoner and the Kings favourite concubine.   

Finally, the last Enclosure began to be built under the Catholic Kings after conquering the City.  The Third Enclosure is a Christian castle inside a Moorish fortress.  It is made up of a big courtyard with three characteristic towers: La del Homenaje (of the homage), La Noria (waterwheel) and La Polvora (gun powder).                             

Address:  Almanzor Street, 04002 Almeria.   

Tel.: 950 175 500

Open: 1 November to 31 March, Tuesdays to Sundays, 9 pm to 6:30 pm; 1 April to 31 October 9 pm to 8:30 pm; Closed: 25 December and 1 January.