Yesterday we brought you the first article about castles in Andalusia. In it we treated 4 castles of the westernmost Andalusia: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz and Córdoba. Today we bring you a castle per Andalusian province, but this time the chosen ones from the provinces of Malaga, Jaén, Granada and Almería. As or more beautiful than those seen so far, they have a lot to offer.
Do not miss it! And if you want to read the first article, see here.
The Alcazaba of Malaga
On the very slopes of Malaga, on the Mount Gibralfaro, stands this wonderful fortress made by man since the times of the Phoenicians. The Alcazaba nowadays preserves constructions from many of the stages lived in ancient Al-Andalus: from the Caliphate, to the Taifa kingdoms, through the times of the Almoravids and Almohads. After all these stages, the Alcazaba of Malaga has been progressively restored as the damage caused by the passage of time came to light.
But why this construction in Malaga? It housed the governors of the city for many centuries and served as a shelter and home for Fernando el Católico, during a period of the Granada war. From the highest area of the Alcazaba, we can contemplate one of the best views of the city of Malaga.
Castle of Bury al-Hammam in Baños de la Encina, Jaén
Bury al-Hamman Castle is also known as the Burgalimar castle and it is an Umayyad fortress built in the XNUMXth century, raised on a small hill, thus dominating the entire landscape of the town of Baños.
Its wall has a total of fourteen towers, plus one Christian Tower of Tribute. It is the best preserved fortified complex from the time of the Umayyad Caliphate of Córdoba, and one of the best preserved Muslim castles in all of Spain. It was classified a National Monument in 1931, and a Historic-Artistic Site in 1969.
As data to highlight we have to say that it is the second oldest castle in Europe and, since 1969, its Tower of Homage can fly the flag of the European Community, a privilege granted by the Council of Europe, and shared only with the Castle of Florence.
It is not the most beautiful on the outside and it does not have the typical image of a fairytale castle but it is certainly quite impressive to be at its feet.
Castle of La Calahorra, in Granada
This curious castle is located in the middle of the Granada highlands, alone and in a region of impressive and genuine natural beauty. It was construction of the Mendoza family At the time of the Renaissance, a time of castles but in which this construction stood out because its inspiration came from Italy. This first work of the Andalusian Renaissance was the work of many but some Italian architects participated.
Its walls and towers are quite robust but its interior is somewhat more "delicate": we can find a elegant and sophisticated patio, similar to the castle of Canena and the castle of Vélez-Blanco, which today is preserved intact in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Monumental Complex of the Alcazaba of Almería
La Alcazaba of Almería can be seen from anywhere in the city of Almería, being the largest of the citadels built by the Arabs in all of Spain. Its walls go up and down the San Cristóbal Hill and draw breathtaking views, resulting in incredible photographs by professional and amateur photographers.
From the top of its walls you can see wonderful views, both of the city and the port, making these one of the best memories you can take from the city of Almeria.
Inside, which has more than a thousand years of history, we find from the elaborate Muslim defenses to a new plant that was added after the Reconquest, built by order of the Catholic kings. In total there are 3 walled enclosures that compose it.
What do you think of these 4 castles? Are there others that you like better than these that we have decided to point out here? If so, let us know in our comment section.