Alcazaba (Málaga)
Encyclopedia
The Alcazaba is a Moorish fortification in Málaga
, Spain
. It was built in the mid-11th century.
This is the best-preserved alcazaba (from the Arabic al-qasbah, قصبة, meaning "citadel
") in Spain. Adjacent to the entrance of the Alcazaba are ruins of a Roman theatre dating to the 2nd century BC, which are undergoing restoration. Some of the Roman era materials were reused in the Moorish construction of the Alcazaba.
In 1487, Ferdinand and Isabella
captured the city from the Moors after a long siege, and raised their standard at the "Torre del Homenaje" in the inner citadel.
which formed a third defensive wall but only two inner walls remain. The first, built around the topography of the hill, completely encloses the second inner area and is dotted with defensive towers.
The pathway winds up through garden
s, with a number of elaborate fountain
s, passing the gateways of Puerta de las Columnas (Gate of the Columns), which reuses materials from the Roman ruins, and renamed Torre del Cristo (Tower of Christ) which turns at right angles to again impede the progress of attackers, The "Torre del Cristo" once served as a chapel.
Inside the second wall is the Palace and some other dwellings which were built on three consecutive Andalusian patio
s during the 11th, 13th and 14th centuries. They include the Cuartos de Granada (Quarters of Granada) which served as the home of the governors.
The inner enclosure now houses the Málaga Archaeological Museum.
Málaga
Málaga is a city and a municipality in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain. With a population of 568,507 in 2010, it is the second most populous city of Andalusia and the sixth largest in Spain. This is the southernmost large city in Europe...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. It was built in the mid-11th century.
This is the best-preserved alcazaba (from the Arabic al-qasbah, قصبة, meaning "citadel
Citadel
A citadel is a fortress for protecting a town, sometimes incorporating a castle. The term derives from the same Latin root as the word "city", civis, meaning citizen....
") in Spain. Adjacent to the entrance of the Alcazaba are ruins of a Roman theatre dating to the 2nd century BC, which are undergoing restoration. Some of the Roman era materials were reused in the Moorish construction of the Alcazaba.
In 1487, Ferdinand and Isabella
Catholic Monarchs
The Catholic Monarchs is the collective title used in history for Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon. They were both from the House of Trastámara and were second cousins, being both descended from John I of Castile; they were given a papal dispensation to deal with...
captured the city from the Moors after a long siege, and raised their standard at the "Torre del Homenaje" in the inner citadel.
Layout
The Alcazaba of Málaga is built on a hill in the centre of the city, overlooking the port, and comprises two walled enclosures. It was formerly connected to the city rampartsDefensive wall
A defensive wall is a fortification used to protect a city or settlement from potential aggressors. In ancient to modern times, they were used to enclose settlements...
which formed a third defensive wall but only two inner walls remain. The first, built around the topography of the hill, completely encloses the second inner area and is dotted with defensive towers.
Outer citadel
The outer citadel entrance is through a gateway called "Puerta de la Bóveda" (Vault Gate), but nowadays it can also be accessed by an elevator. The entrance gate doubles back on itself, a design intended to make progress difficult for attacking forces.The pathway winds up through garden
Garden
A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials. The most common form today is known as a residential garden, but the term garden has...
s, with a number of elaborate fountain
Fountain
A fountain is a piece of architecture which pours water into a basin or jets it into the air either to supply drinking water or for decorative or dramatic effect....
s, passing the gateways of Puerta de las Columnas (Gate of the Columns), which reuses materials from the Roman ruins, and renamed Torre del Cristo (Tower of Christ) which turns at right angles to again impede the progress of attackers, The "Torre del Cristo" once served as a chapel.
Inner citadel
The inner enclosure can only be accessed through the Puerta de los Cuartos de Granada (Gate of the Granada Quarters) which acts as the defence for the western side of the palace. On the eastern side is the Torre del Homenaje (Tower of Tribute) which is in a semi-ruinous state.Inside the second wall is the Palace and some other dwellings which were built on three consecutive Andalusian patio
Andalusian Patio
The typical Andalusian patio is originated from Persia or Arabia, where it has long been customary to decorate houses and palaces with large areas full of life, places full of gardens and plants dominated by fragrant flowers, fountains, canals, wells, ponds and some other decorative figure, ,...
s during the 11th, 13th and 14th centuries. They include the Cuartos de Granada (Quarters of Granada) which served as the home of the governors.
The inner enclosure now houses the Málaga Archaeological Museum.
See also
- Taifa of MálagaTaifa of MálagaThe Taifa of Málaga was a Muslim taifa kingdom in what is now southern Spain, which existed for four distinct time-periods: from 1026 to 1057, from 1073 to 1090, from 1145 to 1153 and from 1229 to 1239 when it was finally conquered by Granada.-First taifa:...
- Buenavista Palace (Málaga)Buenavista Palace (Málaga)Buenavista Palace is a historical edifice in Málaga, Andalusia, Spain. It was built in the first half of the 16th centuryJavier Arroyo, , El País 2000-06-09, accessed online 2010-01-16, says 1530., Diario Sur, 2007-08-02, accessed online 2010-01-17, says the first quarter of the 16th century.,...
- Museo de MálagaMuseo de MálagaThe Museo de Málaga is a museum in Málaga, Andalusia, Spain. Formed in 1973, it brought together the former Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes , born in 1913, and Museo Arqueológico Provincial , born in 1947...
- Moorish architectureMoorish architectureMoorish architecture is the western term used to describe the articulated Berber-Islamic architecture of North Africa and Al-Andalus.-Characteristic elements:...
- Spanish architectureSpanish architectureSpanish architecture refers to architecture carried out in any area in what is now modern-day Spain, and by Spanish architects worldwide. The term includes buildings within the current geographical limits of Spain before this name was given to those territories...