Abderrahman iii ordered the construction of the alcazaba, over the ruins of an old fortress, in an isolated hill that dominates the bay. From its beginnings it has been the seat and the resedence of the representatives of the power. Almeria was called al mariyat, mirror of the sea and was one of the major. The city of almeria offers great tapas, sunshine, culture and much to explore. The city of malaga, the alcazaba, costa del sol, andalucia, spain. It was abdarrahman iii who founded the alcazaba the citadel, which gave this city its name. While it freezes in most of europe, it is a hot february day in eastern andalusia and i have the alcazaba all to myself, as well as a city full of. This formidable military fortification has three huge walled enclosures. We remind you that it is essential to book in advance to attend the tour by. His son mohammed ii also had his residence in the alcazaba, until the palaces were finished. Spend some time enjoying its winding streets, visiting its fine museums, and dining out on the local cuisine. The alcazaba of almeria is a moorish fortress that sits high on a ridge parallel.
The alcazaba of almeria is a fortified complex in almeria, southern spain. The alcazaba in almeria comprises three different spaces. Its strategic position led it to be inhabited by ancient civilisations such as the phoenicians, who settled on the hilltop around 600 b. The streets of almeria, spain 29th july, 2010 duration. Xi por abderraman iii, engrandecida por almanzor y terminada por hairan. The alcazaba was founded during the first half of the 10th century by cordoban caliph abd alrahman iii, who also built medina azahara. When visiting it is important to bear in mind that you are going to explore the two walled precincts1 and the entry fortifications that make up the monument. The alcazaba, provided not only with walls and towers but also with squares, houses and a mosque, was to be also the seat of the local government, commanding the city and the sea nearby. The alcazaba is located on a solitary hill overlooking the town and bay of almeria. Hover the cursor over almeria to see bigger map and click to go to the maps page. After the christian conquest it was reformed by the catholic monarchs and carlos i. A tour of the most important monument in the city of almeria which was built during.
It has a handsome centre, punctuated by palmfringed plazas and old churches, several interesting. The alcazaba of almeria can be seen from any part of the city and it is the biggest of the citadels built by the arabs in spain. Visit the alcazaba of almeria and all the other great sights in almeria, spain. Posteriormente in preroman times we find phoenician findings. Please note that there is a maximum of 3 children per adult on this guided tour of the alcazaba of almeria. Sadly this cathedral has suffered damage throughout its history. Alcazaba of almeria simple english wikipedia, the free.
Offering jaw dropping views of the city, the climb up to alcazaba is both exhilarating and breath taking. The alcazaba is the bestpreserved moorish fortress palace in spain. The hill where the alcazaba is currently was the subject of the earliest. This was actually used as a location for games of thrones a few years ago. Later, it became the palace and fortress of hairan, the first king of almeria. Its construction was begun in 955 by abderraman iii and finished by hayran, taifa king of almeria, in the xi century. Almeria became the most important moorish port and it became the headquarters of the moorish fleet. The alcazaba of almeria was one of 100 finalists for the 12 treasures of spain in 2007.
From then on, the alcazaba was only used as a fortress for military purposes. He ordered the alcazaba to be built in 955 on top of the hill that overlooks almeria. Restored pieces from the remains found in the alcazaba have been included, in addition to other pieces found in excavations in the urban areas of the city. Alcazaba this fortress palace, whose name in arabic means citadel, is one of the citys historical monuments and is much visited because of its history and beauty. It was built at the behest of abderrahman iii in the tenth century after the founding of the city. Construction on the fortress was started in 955ad, and almeria subsequently became an important trading port city with the mediterranean and north africa. This square was the original entrance to the alcazaba. The first compound is the largest of the three and was originally designed as a military camp and a place for refuge for the public when the city came under siege. It consisted of a series of constructions where different services were carried out for the inhabitants of. Until fairly recently the city was generally overlooked by travellers, but recent efforts to spruce it up are beginning to pay dividends. Considered a clean and wellpreserved example, the lowest section has gardens, the second has buildings and baths, and the highest has a parade grounds, three towers, and a silo. The city of almeria was founded in 955 by the arabs, but there are sites that trace their origins to prehistoric times. It was built by adb alrahman iii in 955 ad on the ruins of a fortress.
Although today the alcazaba is principally an area of gardens with fabulous views overlooking the sea and the mountains, it was originally capable of containing and supporting a population of up to 20,000 people within its walls. This fortress is one of the oldest part of the alhambra. Techniques and uses of ceramics in 11th to 14th century muslim malaga 1 the exhibition that is hosted in the halls of the nasrid palace is dedicated to the ceramics of the muslim era. So certainly worth it for a day trip to discover all the interesting history. Aug 28, 2019 discover the best parts of almeria, from its great history at the mediterranean sea, food, restaurants, things to do, beaches, holidays and moorish castles. Standing tall for many centuries, alcazaba is the older cousin of the alhambra of granada and alcazar of sevilla. See more ideas about almeria, moorish and mediterranean sea. During many years, it remains in a complete oblivion. The building that dates from the muslim period is located at the foot of the gibralfaro hill, crowned by the arab defence works to which the alcazaba is connected by a walled passage. The alcazaba of almeria, the city of almeria andalucia.
Abd alrahman was the first caliph of the kingdom of alandalus. Despite restoration of different areas of the building due to fire damage this is still worth visiting. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Today the alcazaba, the second largest in andalucia after the.
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