What´s the difference between an Alcazar and an Alcazaba was my question. A thought while strolling around the impressive Alcazaba in Malaga, the sprawling hilltop fortress with views across the city and the Mediterranean Sea.
Almost on par with the Alhambra I was enthralled. Patios, roof turrets, death-defying wall-top walkways (no health and safety barriers here), arches, pebble mosaics and water features. Just my thing. On a warm Saturday in April there were few visitors, maybe being the two-hour lunch time helped too.
Alcazaba in Malaga
I spent two hours and took over a hundred photos there. It was stunning, romantic and so obviously Arabic by design, built mainly in the 11th century. It is now linked to the
Castillo de Gibralfaro (another must-do visit, with even better views of the port, city and Med) a little further up the hill.
On returning home I asked my eldest sons (Spanish school system educated) if they knew what the difference was between an Alcazar and an Alcazaba, they didn't. My understanding so far - an Alcazar was a fortified palace built for a king, of which there were many in the Moorish era, and an Alcazaba was a fortified or defensive city, home to the troops.
Alcazaba in Malaga
So what is the difference between a castle and an Alcazar or an Alcazaba?
Alcazar is a Spanish word meaning castle, palace or fortress, from Arabic - It´s all clear now isn´t it.
Below I´ve listed the Alcazar and Alcazaba list of Spanish monuments, there are also many monuments with the title castle or
castillo which I haven´t put down but will look into also.
Alcazaba in Malaga
Fortresses, Alcaczas or Alcazabas in Spain
Alcazaba de Almeria
Alcazaba and Murallas del Cerro de San Cristobal in Almeria
Alcazaba de Antequera
Alcazaba de Guadix
Alcazaba de Malaga
Alcazar Andalusi in Cordoba
Alcazar de Cadima in Granada
Alcazar de Don Rey Pedro in Carmona
Alcazar Genil
Alcazar de Los Reyes Cristianos in Cordoba
Alcazar de Jerez de la Frontera
Alcazar de Salamanca
Alcazar de Segovia
Alcazar de Sevilla
Alcazar de Toledo
Alcazar de Ubeda
Alcazaba Walls in Malaga
