Malaga Alcazaba
History of Two Castles:
Malaga Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle in Andalucia SpainThe Alcazaba was linked to the significant historic trade of the city. Originally, the city was founded by the Phoenicians (1,000 BC). Malaga's etymology possibly stemed from the Phoenician word "Salt." During Phoencian presence, Malaga was a fish-salting settlement, it was then known as "Malaka." Initially, the Alcazaba was constructed to protect the city from pirate raids. This imposing group of buildings, was constructed on the eastern side of the Gibralfaro hill. Gibralfaro Castle was connected to the Alcazaba by a walled pathway.
Model of Malaga Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle
The Castle afforded commanding views of Malaga bay and city, aiding Moorish defence-systems. The sea, previously, reached the fortress walls on the western-side of the Alcazaba.
Malaga fell to the Moors shortly after the 711 AD invasion. The Various Moorish Spain Rulings of Malaga- The Dependent Emirate: 711 to 756 AD
- The Independent Emirate: 756 to 929 AD
- The Cordovan Caliphate 929 to 1031 AD till Umayyad rule collapsed
- Then, the city passed into the control of the Emirate of Granada 1228 to 1492 AD during which time, the city was known as "Malaqah."
TradeForeign trade was vital to Granada: Malaga Alcazaba became residence of ruling city Governors, large enough to accomodate an entourage of aides and servants. The Governor - usually a Nazrid prince - represented the Sultan.
The Nazrid kingdom of Granada relied on Malaga
port for its flourishing export commerce
Gibralfaro CastleThe Castle was seized by the Catholic Kings in 1487 AD. The Alcazaba and Malaga city fell shortly after to the Christians' rule.During the Reconquista, Gibralfaro Castle custodied Moorish prisoners. After the Reconquista ended, the Catholic Kings symbolized the importance of Gibralfaro Castle, on Malaga's Coat of Arms.
Today only a few ruins remain of Gibralfaro Castle: the French, during the Napoleonic war of Independence, dynamited it in 1812 AD. What remains was rebuilt and became the state-owned Gibralfaro Parador. Gibralfaro, originally was a Phoenician site. The Phoenicians always chose high lookout areas with natural mooring for their settlements. Click here to see our Ancient Iberia Map
Malaga Coat of Arms Etymology of GibralfaroDuring Phoenician times it was known was "Hill of the Lighthouse"
Jabel-Faruk became its Moorish name
Christians renamed it Gibralfaro
ArchitectureMalaga Alcazaba was built during the 11th century and extended during the 13th century. The Alcazaba was protected by two defensive walls, separating, the Lower Precinct from the Upper Precinct. Within the inner wall of the Upper Precinct was the Alcazaba.
An albarrani tower (Albarrani: Spanish term for a projecting tower from within fortified city walls), is the entrance to the Alcazaba, through the Puerta de la Boveda: Gate of the Vault. This tower abuts the city wall and over the Flavia Roman theatre.
The Puerta de las Columnas: Gate of Columns, reuses marble columns which originally may have been part of the Roman theatre.The Lower Precinct is reached through the Torre del Christo: Christ's Tower, was later used as a small chapel for many years.
The Patio de Armas: The Arms Patio has been transformed into a thematic Chahar Bagh-styled Moorish Water Garden.
The Upper PrecinctStrongly defended by it's walls and towers, the Upper Precinct enters through the Puerta de los Cuartos de Granada: Gate of the Granada Hills. The Patio de las Surtidores: The Patio of Water Jets, is the western courtyard of the palace complex. Between the Torre de Armadura Mudejar and the Torre de Maldonado, are five Umayyan-styled multi-lobular arches, which focus onto an 11th century belvedere with vistas of Malaga's port and townhall.
The Torre de Armadura Mudejar has a 16th century inlaid wooden ceiling.
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