Alcazaba of Almería

The Alcazaba of Almería is a Moorish fortress, from where you can overlook the entire city of Almería.

After the Alhambra, the Alcazaba is the largest Moorish fortress. From it, the city and the sea were controlled.

History

The Alcazaba was in the 10th century under the caliph Abd al-Rahman III. built on a 85 m high hill in the center of the city. They harbored since the formal city's founding 955 the residence of the ruler of the city. During the Taifazeit 1012 to 1091 when the city was independent, it was the residence of a sovereign prince, who took for himself the title of Caliph temporarily to complete. As a builder particularly al - Mutasim made ​​1051-1091 a name.

The Alcazaba was used until the 15th century by Muslim governors. 1522 palace was destroyed by an earthquake and partly replaced by new buildings. As part of the reconstruction measures parts of the Alcazaba were shaped by Christian architecture and converted the mosque into a chapel.

Construction

First Castle District

The first castle district ( bailey ) has been transformed into a garden. Is the bastion Baluarte del Salient to their east. The fortress wall Muro de la Vela can be climbed from this district from. The outer bailey was large enough to serve as a military camp and as a protective area for the population in a siege. For this purpose they had many cisterns.

Second Castle District

The second castle district is separated by a wall from the first. Here were in Moorish times the garrisons and the apartments of the courtiers. Excavations are carried out at the time in its ruins.

Where the first and second castle district meet, begins a city wall, the Muralla de Jayrán that locks the entire valley with its many towers. She goes up to the rocks of Cerro de San Cristóbal, on which stand the ruins of the Templars Castle Castillo de San Cristóbal. It forms a part of the medieval town layout.

Third Castle District

In the third area of ​​the Castle, the main castle, there is a mighty keep. After the capture of Almería in 1489 the main castle was given a new attachment with battery towers and curtain walls located therebetween.

Visit

Admission is free for EU citizens. In contrast to the Alhambra there are few visitors.