Alcazaba fortress. Alcazaba
The Malaga Fortress is an Arab fortification of the 8th century. It overlooks the city and is one of the city's main attractions.
The palace-fortress, located on the slope of the Gibralfaro hill in the Spanish, is called - Alcazaba de Málaga. On the top of this mountain there is another fortress - a castle. Both fortresses are connected by the road "Korac", surrounded by zigzag walls. These two fortified buildings in the XI-XIV centuries. formed a defensive system, which was considered the most powerful in all of Moorish Spain.
History of the construction of the Alcazaba
Granada ruler Badis ben Abus began construction of the Alcazaba in the period 1057-63. Powerful fortress walls were laid on the site of an ancient Arab fortress. For construction, natural limestone and marble were used - columns and capitals from the destroyed II century. Until now, the ruins of this theater lie on the western slope of the hill (now the object is being restored).
In the highest part of the fortress, a qadi (judge) lived in Islamic times. The Alcazaba of that period consisted of three fortification walls. From Malaga to the fortress, winding paths climbed. In order to penetrate the territory of the Alcazaba, it was necessary to overcome the guarded fortifications made of walls and numerous towers with loopholes, bypassing eight gates along the way. The main entrance was on the west side. Behind these gates began a narrow passage between the walls, which turned sharply several times. Each new wall turned out to be higher than the previous one. Defense towers defended the inhabitants of the Nasrid palace and the inhabitants of the settlement within the city walls from invasions.
In the 11th century, most of the fortifications were built of limestone. The stone was not very strong, the proximity of the sea had a destructive effect - therefore, two centuries later, the fortress needed reconstruction. The walls and towers were fortified and enclosed outside by a third masonry wall.
In 1487, after a long siege, Ferdinand and Isabella captured Malaga. The king's standard soared over the Torre del Omenaje tower. The era of the Reconquista is over, the reign of the Catholic kings has begun. The last successful period for the Alcazaba was the residence in the fortress in 1624 by King Philip IV. After that, the castle fell into disrepair. The third outer wall was destroyed, and materials from it were used by local peasants to build houses.
Fortress today
Only in the middle of the 18th century. under Charles III, restoration work began. They turned out to be very long and lasted until 2009. At the moment, the fortress has not been fully restored. Today's Alcazaba consists of two interior walls that run along the perimeter of the hill. Several ancient defensive towers have survived, but the famous Torre del Homenaje is in a dilapidated state.
The spacious Outer Courtyard begins near the powerful Tower of Maldonado. It is located between the walls on the hillside. At the highest point of this fortification stands the Tower of Omage. After the conquest of Malaga by the Castilians, this structure was completed in height. The Tower of Omaja became the tallest and most powerful keep in Spain.
Behind the second wall is the Courtyard - a palace complex consisting of a patio system, residential, official and outbuildings. Here are the Granada apartments. The famous “Cuartos de Granada” are the ruins of houses that were once inhabited by local aristocrats. Today, only the remains of walls no more than a meter high have survived from residential buildings, grouped around a courtyard with aisles. The basements of the buildings were painted red and decorated with inscriptions and arabesques.
Water to the territory of the fortress came from the deep well of Gibralfaro. (All the paths inside the patio still have grooves.) Inside one of the patios, there was a large swimming pool; there were also reservoirs with clean water for the population. Residential buildings had a drainage system.
During the excavations, pottery and fragments of mosaic images were found. During the restoration, these mosaics were used to decorate the castle walls.
The Alcazaba houses an archaeological museum, where visitors are presented with collections of artifacts from ancient Roman structures, Arabic ceramics, miniature models of the city of Malaga and the Alcazaba castle.
Alcazaba opening hours
From April 1 to October 31: 09: 00-20: 00;
from November 1 to March 31: 09: 00-18: 00;
December 24, 25 and 31, January 1 - closed.
Tickets
Adult - € 2.20;
children (6-16 years old) - € 0.60;
Combined ticket Alcazaba + Gibralfaro - € 3.55;
on Sunday after 14:00 admission is free.
How to get to the Alcazaba in Malaga?
Go by buses 1, 3, 4, 11, 14, 16, 25, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, C1, to the stop Paseo del Parque.
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Alcazaba in Malaga (Spain) - description, history, location. Exact address, phone number, website. Reviews of tourists, photos and videos.
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Alcazaba can be called not only one of the central attractions of Malaga, but also of the whole of Spain. The Alcazaba fortress was built in the 11th century and due to its advantageous location on the side of the mountain is visible from different parts of the city. This attraction looks very picturesque and monumental. Do not be lazy to climb to the very top - from there you can enjoy an excellent panoramic view of Malaga and the local beaches.
There is information about the construction of the Alcazaba in ancient Muslim sources. It indicates that the palace-fortress was built in 1057-1063. by order of the Berber ruler Badis bin Abus. Interestingly, for the sake of this building, columns and marble were used, which originally adorned the nearby Roman theater. Of course, the Alcazaba was not built just like that, but to protect the city, its ruler and local residents. In the uppermost part of the building lived a kadi (judge). Three levels of ring fortifications, crenellated towers with loopholes and eight reliable gates - few people managed to break through such obstacles. By the way, the walls were built in such a way that each subsequent one was higher than the previous one. During the entire existence of the Alcazaba, the towers have been reconstructed and restored several times. The owners of the fortress also changed. So, in 1092 it passed into the hands of the Almoravids, and in 1146 - the Almohads.
In those days, almost all buildings were erected from limestone, which was far from the most durable material. Add to this the maritime climate and the proximity of the water, and it becomes clear why the Alcazaba had to be reconstructed quite often. At the end of the 13th century, for example, the structure was completely strengthened, and then the stone walls were completely completed.
For the construction of the Alcazaba, the columns and marble that originally adorned the nearby Roman theater were used. Of course, the Alcazaba was not built just like that, but to protect the city, its ruler and local residents.
It is worth noting that the Alcazaba has played an important role in the history of the city. For example, the fortress took part in the defense during the siege by the Catholic kings. After a while, they forgot about her, and everything gradually fell into decay. Only in the 20th century, the Alcazaba came to life and became a popular tourist destination. If you would like to learn more about the history of the Alcazaba, then it is worth stopping by the archaeological museum located here. You will see what the fortress looked like before and after restoration, ceramics and much more.
Keep in mind that it's best to head out to the Alcazaba early in the morning. Firstly, at this time it is not yet so hot, and secondly, there is no large crowd of tourists. It is best to wear comfortable shoes as all the roads are paved. And don't forget to bring your camera. The Alcazaba is a very romantic place. There are beautiful arches, fountains, mini-ponds and lots of greenery everywhere, and the air is filled with the scent of orange trees and jasmine.
The Alcazaba is connected by road with another popular attraction - the Gibralfaro fortress, which is located at the very top of the mountain of the same name.
Working hours: from April 1 to October 1 - 9: 00-20: 00, from November 1 to March 31 - 9: 00-18: 00. The Alcazaba is closed on December 24, 25 and 31, January 1.
Entrance: 5.50 EUR, children from 6 to 16 years old - 2.50 EUR, free of charge every Sunday after 14:00.
Alcazaba
How to get there
Address: Calle Alcazabilla, 2.
You can get there by buses No. 1, 3, 4, 11, 14, 16, 25, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, C1 to the Paseo del Parque stop. Finding the Alcazaba is easy. The fortress is located near the cathedral, a stone's throw from the park of Malaga.
The prices on the page are for November 2018.
The Malaga Fortress or Alcazaba Malaga is an impressive monument of military architecture from the time of the Muslim conquerors. Since the end of the 11th century, the palace-fortress of the Moors rises on the slope of Mount Gibralfaro, as if soaring over the city. There is another fortress nearby, which, by analogy with the mountain, is called Gibralfaro. A passage connects both citadels. For a long time, their walls served as reliable protection for the city and its rulers.
The history of the construction of the fortress
Malaga has been inhabited since ancient times. Due to its favorable location, it has always attracted the interest of the conquerors. For a long time, the land belonged to the Phoenicians, and then came under the leadership of the Roman Empire. The city grew due to the port and trade relations with neighboring states. The first fortress on the slopes of Gibralfaro was founded in the 8th century by the Arab conquerors. Time did not spare her, leaving only ruins.
On the site of the destroyed fortress in the middle of the 11th century, a palace complex was laid by order of King Ben Badis. Marble was used for the construction, and the palace complex was decorated with Roman statues. Periodic battles with the waxes of King Alfonso VI forced the creation of a reliable defense of the Moorish residence, and it turned into a reliable fortress.
Over the centuries, power over the fortress passed to the Almoravids, then to the kingdom of Nazareth, and then to the Catholics. Initially, limestone was used for construction, which was mined in quarries nearby. This soft material quickly deteriorated. To provide reliable protection, the towers and walls were reinforced with stones. In the XIII-XIV centuries, the building was partially rebuilt and decorated by analogy with the Moorish palace in Granada.
Later, the Malaga Fortress belonged to the rulers of the Spanish kingdom Ferdinand and Isabella. The Alcazaba experienced its last heyday during the time of Philip IV, then a period of devastation and looting began. Many valuables and decorations were stolen or simply destroyed. One of the walls was dismantled for the construction of peasant houses.
The Spanish authorities set the task of restoring the former appearance of the fortress at the end of the 18th century. The long restoration process lasted until 2009. But even during this time, the complex was restored only partially. Instead of three fortification walls, only two rise, and not all towers have survived either. But, in addition to walking behind high walls, you can now visit the Archaeological Museum.
Architectural features
The palace consists of two parts: external and internal. Additional fortifications and walls were located between them. You can get to the outer perimeter by going through the gate. They move travelers behind a high fence with a thickness of more than 3 m. On the wall itself there is an observation deck, which offers a striking view of the city. The outside is teeming with beautiful gardens, which are full of unusual plants. Due to the great reverence for water in the garden, there are many lawns with fountains, springs and small artificial waterfalls.
Among the lush greenery is the Tower of Christ. Since the capture of the fortress by the Catholics, it has been used as a chapel. In the entire fortress, there were several dozen towers of various sizes, but only a few of them have survived.
Outside the gate, the road is very winding. This form was deliberately given to it in order to hinder the advance of the enemy. The paths are like a labyrinth and make some sharp turns. In the courtyard, the paths are also quite intricate, to give the ruler a chance to take cover before the enemy captures the castle.
The inner or upper courtyard consists mainly of residential and utility buildings. You can get to them through a separate gate - the Gate of Granada. The residential quarter for the nobility (advisers and ministers of the Caliph) stands apart. Only the foundations and a small part of the walls have survived to this day. From them, you can estimate the size of the premises and the direction of the moves. Remnants of wall decoration are visible in some places. They were painted red and painted with ornaments with Arabic letters.
The reconstruction process continues, so some of the buildings are inaccessible to visitors. For more than 5 years, builders have been restoring Moorish houses, baths and a mosque. Perhaps, soon it will be possible to examine them as well.
Today the Archaeological Museum is located next to the ruins of the courtyard. It features exhibitions on ancient Roman structures and Arab ceramics. In a separate room is a miniature copy of the Fortress of Malaga and the entire city during its heyday.
Medieval engineers, in addition to strengthening work, were engaged in carrying out communications. The palace housed an open water supply system in the form of small grooves along the road network. The source of water was the Gibralfaro well. The richest houses had pools inside for storing water. There were also separate sewage pipes running along the walls.
During the excavations, small remains of mosaics and ceramics were found. The samples obtained were used to recreate the fortress during the reconstruction.
There are also interesting places outside the fortress walls. Further down the slope are the ruins of a Roman amphitheater dating back to the 2nd century. Some stones from it were used to build the first fortress.
How to get there?
Malaga has an international airport, so you can start exploring Spain directly from it. Moreover, this resort town has many beautiful beaches and other attractions. Many tour desks offer a tour of the Malaga Fortress with a tourist bus. To see the Alcazaba on your own, you can take a taxi or public transport. Routes 1,4,11,16,33,35,37 run to the Paseo del Parque stop.
Guided tour of the fortress
Guided tours of the Malaga Fortress and the Museum take about half an hour and are held daily except Mondays. Working hours:
- 9: 00-20: 00 (April to October):
- 8: 30-19: 00 (November to March).
The entrance ticket with a guided tour is 2.10 euros. Schoolchildren, students and pensioners only need to pay 0.60 euros, while kids under 6 years old see the sights for free. After 14:00 every Sunday entrance to the territory for all tourists becomes free.
One of the main attractions of Spanish Malaga is considered to be a huge and impenetrable stone palace-fortress, located on the slope of Mount Gibralfaro. It is part of the ancient defensive structures and was built during the reign of the Moors in Andalusia. The citadel is known under the name Alcazaba or simply the fortress of Malaga.
Its construction began in the middle of the 11th century by order of the ruler Badis ben Abus. The created defensive system was conceived as the most perfect and impregnable in all of Moorish Spain. Strong, low, but large in area, the castle building was surrounded by two strong walls with numerous towers.
It is not surprising that neither effort nor money was spared for the construction. Created from limestone and marble. The latter was "mined" from the broken columns and capitals of the 2nd century Roman theater. Alas, the then owners of the Andalusian lands did not care about the preservation of historical relics. But with the limestone there was a serious blunder - it was clearly not the most durable material in the world, and two centuries later a serious reconstruction was required. In the 13th century, most of the buildings were reinforced with a more durable stone, and from it a third wall was added, which was surrounded by the entire structure.
Alas, the strong fortifications did not save the Arabs from defeat. Two hundred years later, in 1487, the siege of Christian troops was crowned with success. The Moors were expelled from Malaga and a new era began. They decided to keep the fortress. It was actively used, including as a royal residence, until the 17th century. King Philip IV was the last to stay here. However, after that the castle was left, it fell into desolation. Later, the enterprising townspeople completely dismantled the outer, strongest wall, using stone for construction.
Restoration was started only in the 18th century by order of King Charles III. However, the abandoned castle required such a large-scale reconstruction that it lasted until 2009. Now you can see the almost completely restored fortress (only the outer wall, the one that was taken away by the townspeople, was never rebuilt).
Climbing to the Alcazaba is a must. Firstly, from Mount Gibralfaro, a wonderful view opens up over the whole of Malaga. Secondly, the ancient castle itself, built in the Moorish style, is worth your attention.
The first thing that you will see is a high wall encircling the structure. Strong, with numerous towers, it was the first line of defense for many years. Upon entering the gate, you enter the Outer Courtyard, which is planted with trees and bushes. But do not rush to rejoice, there is another obstacle ahead of you - the second wall, behind which the palace complex itself, called the Courtyard, is hiding. It consists of numerous patios with gardens, fountains and pools, as well as buildings for various purposes: residential, official, business. Its basis is the Granada quarter, where aristocrats once lived. Yes, the palace is, in fact, a small town. Alas, only ruins remain of these buildings, which make it possible to roughly imagine the plan of their placement. In addition, the ornaments and inscriptions in Arabic have been preserved on the basement floors.
But the castle, which for a long time was the residence of both Arab and Christian rulers, has been preserved much better. Not tall, without unnecessary decorations, stucco moldings and tall thin turrets, it looks gloomy, but impressive. It seems that even if the enemies reached the walls of the castle itself, here it would be possible to hold the defense for a very long time.
The archaeological museum is located in its premises. Numerous exhibits are exhibited in the halls, decorated with stucco, high columns and ornamental painting. Here you will see fragments of ancient mosaics, which were laid out by Arab masters, parts of ancient Roman structures, ceramics (and their shards). In addition, here you can find several wonderful miniature models of the Alcazaba castle, and at least admire the fortress in its original form.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Lock | |
Malaga fortress |
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Fortress with an ancient Roman theater in the foreground |
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| Country | Spain |
| City | Malaga |
| Foundation date | VIII century |
| Key dates: Great expansion of the fortress - XI century
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Malaga fortress (Spanish. Alcazaba de Málaga ) is an Arab fortification in the city of Malaga in southern Spain. Founded in the 8th century, however, the main construction work was carried out in the middle of the 11th century for the rulers of the Zirid dynasty in Granada for the seat of the governor. The fortress is considered the best preserved alcazaba in Spain. Near the entrance to the fortress are the ruins of an ancient Roman theater dating from the 2nd century, which is now being restored. Some of the materials for the construction of the fortress were taken from the Roman structure.
Overview
The fortress is built on a hill in the center of the city above the port and consists of two walls. Previously, the fortress was also connected to the city walls, which formed the third defensive wall, but today only two internal ones have survived. The first, built along the topography of the hill, fully protects the inner territory and is reinforced with defensive towers. The entrance is at the Puerta de la Bóveda (Vaulted Gate), but today you can also get to the fortress by lift. The doors of the entrance gate close one on top of the other, which was designed to impede the advance of the attacking troops. The road winds through landscaped gardens with richly decorated fountains, passes through the Puerta de las Columnas (Columnar Gates), which were built using materials from Roman ruins, and then makes a sharp turn at Torre del Cristo (Tower of Christ), which also complicated the actions of the attackers. A chapel was located in Torre del Cristo.
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Excerpt from the Fortress of Malaga
- That, musyu, it is obvious that the Frenchman had a sour taste of Russian sauce ... he sore mouth, - said the wrinkled clerk, who was standing next to Pierre, while the Frenchman began to cry. The clerk looked around him, apparently expecting an assessment of his joke. Some laughed, some continued to look fearfully at the executioner, who was undressing the other.Pierre sniffled, grimaced, and, turning quickly, walked back to the droshky, not ceasing to mutter something to himself as he walked and sat down. During the journey, he shuddered several times and cried out so loudly that the coachman asked him:
- What do you want?
- Where are you going? - Pierre shouted at the coachman who was leaving for the Lubyanka.
“They ordered the commander-in-chief,” answered the coachman.
- Fool! beast! - Pierre shouted, which rarely happened to him, scolding his coachman. - I ordered home; and go quickly, you fool. We must leave today, ”Pierre said to himself.
Pierre, seeing the punished Frenchman and the crowd surrounding the Execution Ground, decided so completely that he could not stay in Moscow any longer and was going to the army today, that it seemed to him that he either told the coachman about this, or that the coachman himself should have known it ...
Arriving home, Pierre gave the order to his coachman Evstafievich, who knows everything, who knows everything, who knows all about Moscow, that he should go to Mozhaisk to the army at night and that his riding horses should be sent there. All this could not be done on the same day, and therefore, according to Evstafievich's proposal, Pierre had to postpone his departure until another day in order to give time for the frames to go to the road.
On the 24th it cleared up after the bad weather, and on that day after dinner Pierre left Moscow. At night, changing horses at Perkhushkovo, Pierre learned that that evening there was a great battle. They said that here, in Perkhushkov, the earth shook from the shots. No one could answer Pierre's questions about who won. (It was a battle on the 24th at Shevardin.) At dawn Pierre drove up to Mozhaisk.
All the houses of Mozhaisk were occupied by troops, and at the inn, where Pierre was met by his master and coachman, there was no room in the upper rooms: everything was full of officers.
In Mozhaisk and beyond Mozhaisk, troops stood and marched everywhere. Cossacks, foot, horse soldiers, wagons, boxes, cannons could be seen from all sides. Pierre was in a hurry to drive ahead, and the farther he rode away from Moscow and the deeper he plunged into this sea of \u200b\u200btroops, the more he was seized by anxiety of uneasiness and a new joyful feeling he had not yet experienced. It was a feeling similar to that which he had experienced in the Sloboda Palace when the Emperor arrived - a feeling of the need to undertake something and sacrifice something. He was now experiencing a pleasant feeling of consciousness that everything that makes up people's happiness, the comforts of life, wealth, even life itself, is nonsense, which is pleasant to dismiss in comparison with something ... With which, Pierre could not give himself an account, and he tried to figure it out for himself for whom and for what he found a special charm to sacrifice everything. He was not interested in what he wanted to sacrifice for, but sacrifice itself constituted a new joyful feeling for him.
