It is no exaggeration to say that Malaga is one of the most versatile destinations you can visit. Malaga is leisure, sun and beach, art and culture, gastronomy… and it is also history. In fact, the capital of the Costa del Sol is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Its origins date back to the eighth century BC.
One of the constructions that reflect the historical wealth of Malaga is the Alcazaba, an Arab fortification that for centuries has witnessed the evolution of the city.
The Alcazaba of Malaga: when the past is present
The Alcazaba of Malaga was built in the eleventh century by the King of Berber taifas Badis Maksan. Both the military and the aesthetic sense are perfectly combined and it also shows influences from the Almoravid, Almohad and Nasrid times.
The Alcazaba of Malaga is one of the most important and best preserved monuments of the Andalusian era. But do not settle for a simple glance and be prepared to go inside and tour its towers, walls and gardens. Like the Alhambra, this citadel is located on a hill next to the centre of the city, Mount Gibralfaro. Its imposing silhouette can be seen from many parts of Malaga and is a true reflection of the strategic importance of its location.
A fortification that will conquer you
The Alcazaba is the prototype of military architecture of Al Andalus, with its two walled enclosures, its fortified spaces and organized from a series of rectangular “patios”. Take a break inside its palatial halls and enjoy the calm of its fountains and its courtyards, like that of “Los Naranjos” and the “De la Alberca”.
In 1931 the Alcazaba of Malaga was declared Cultural Interest of the Spanish Historical Heritage. At the foot of the Alcazaba you can visit the Museum of Malaga, recently inaugurated in the Palacio de la Aduana, a space that houses 15,000 archaeological pieces that serve as testimony of the history of the city, from its origins until the Middle Ages.
