7 Curiosities of the Alcazaba of Malaga

The Alcazaba is a historical monument of the city that every year more than 500,000 people visit. In Explora Malaga we want to tell you a little more about the history of this emblematic construction, as well as the best curiosities of this great fortress that you have never heard before, in case you dare to do a free tour of the Alcazaba of Malaga with us 😉 .

History of the Alcazaba

The Alcazaba of Malaga is a fortress palace built between 1057 and 1063 by the Muslims and at the request of the king of Taifas Berber in Granada, which used elements of the ancient Roman theater that sits at the foot of the palace. Due to the Muslim origin of the Alcazaba, its name arises, which in Arabic takes the meaning of ‘citadel’. Without a doubt it is one of the historical and iconic monuments of the city, an excellent place to visit and learn more about the history of Malaga. The Alcazaba is located in a strategic place since it is located at the foot of Mount Gibralfaro, which is connected and used as an Arab defensive castle. It’s in the year 1279 with the conquest of the Nazarite kingdom when the Alcazaba was reformed, obtaining the current image with its Arab courtyards and gardens. Its rooms that, in the tradition of the architecture of Granada, look for in the interiors the alternation of lights and shades to achieve those games that dominate the Arab buffs so well.

The Alcazaba has 3,400 meters of buildings that were used for civilian use and 3,500 meters that were used for military purposes, the rest is not built. It is one of the most important Muslim buildings preserved in Spain, because they still chase the matacanas, albarrana towers with loopholes and crenellated walls that were used as defensive elements.

7  Curiosities of the Alcazaba of Malaga

1. Around the Alcazaba there was a neighborhood, which had its own system to evacuate fecal waters, and with latrines in almost every houses, this shows the high level of civilization that existed at that time.
2. The defensive system is unique and is considered the best of all the Alcazabas of its time. This is because it has three precincts, one inside another that increases the security, in addition to its strategic position.
3. The Alcazaba has a space between two defensive enclosures, currently closed to the public, where you can find a path with a beautiful meadow, where it can be seen as were the dungeons for prisoners that have a funnel-shaped inverted underground.
4. Few people know that inside is a well called ‘Airón’ which is about 40 meters depth, that was used for the water supply for the residents of the palace in case they weren’t able to leave the palace to get more water.
5. Through the intermediate space between the fortifications, there was an escape route so that in case of invasion, the ruler could escape without having to cross the city of Malaga, this access led to the tower of Homage. Once Gibralfaro was built, this door lost its use and the tower of the Christ was formerly tapped.
6. The ‘Torre del Cristo’ was formerly the point of entry to the neighborhood that was created by the people of Malaga, nowadays is currently occupied by houses. The name of the door and tower had its origin in a niche of Christ with three ostrich eggs adorning the entrance.
7.  The Alcazaba  has a courtyard that was previously a neighborhood of the city, in fact its central square was named as the square of San Gabriel.

The site is accessible for people with reduced mobility.

Do you want to know all the curiosities of the Alcazaba of Malaga?

In Explora Malaga we offer you the option of doing a free tour in the Alcazaba of Malaga, you will discover all the secrets of this greatfortress at the hands of our guides. The free tour to visit the Alcazaba is one of the most demanded tours by tourists who visit the city during, practically, any time of the year. Do you want to book or get more information about our free tour of the Alcazaba? Click here and find out.

Practical information to visit the Alcazaba

Opening hours

From April 1 to October 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

From November 1 to March 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Closed: December 24, 25 and 31 and January 1.

Prices to enter

Normal: € 2.20

Joint visit Alcazaba-Gibralfaro: € 3.55

Reduced price *: € 0.60

Free visit every Sunday from 2:00 p.m. and until its closure.
* Residents in Malaga city, children from 6 to 16 years old, schoolchildren or holders of the student card retired or pensioners, large families.

Where is the Alcazaba of Malaga?