The Alcazaba fortress is one of the mandatory visits while visiting Málaga. It’s not just a historical witness but one of the most visited, beautiful and mysterious monuments of the city. Mysterious? Yep… Not only a simple construction: this palace-fortress keeps inner symbology, difficult to recognize at sight. Because it’s not the same visiting a place than knowing the history behind what you are visiting.
Let’s have a little introduction about the secrets behind the beautiful fortress:
Double walled enclosure
One of the main defensive characteristics of the fortress is de double walled enclosure, double protection: the Nasrid Palaced are surrounded by a wall, which is surrounded by a second wall at the same time. The idea was to to make the fortress as impregnable as possible.
Decorated by… Roman columns?
During a tour, one of the travellers told me once that Muslims were great in recycling. That’s completely true. They often used materials from destroyed constructions in order to create their new ones. That’s what you’ll find in the monument: Roman columns and other pieces brought from the Roman Theatre of Malaga, which was found by the Muslims almost covered and destroyed.
But also… by the image of a Christ!
3 centuries after the Christian conquest of the city, the Alcazaba was abandoned and after a while was occupied by many local families. These people constructed a little chapel in one of the access towers of the lower enclosure, where the image of a crucified Christ was located. Nowadays the Christ is not on that tower anymore.
Water, water and more water
Why does water always appear along Muslim constructions? It’s a necessary symbol for them, which represents eternity, purity and power. Running water, but quiet, giving the sensation of peace and calmness.
A neighbourhood in the fortress
Next to the Nasrid Palaced there is a 11th century neighborhood: 8 houses for about 50 people, which included service personnel, administration and soldiers. At present is not open to the public.
Orange trees everywhere
We don’t only find these trees in the Fortress of Málaga, the Alhambra of Granada or the Mosque of Cordoba, but all around the Al Andalus territory. Epecially in the south and the Mediterranean coast. But I warn you: those are bitter oranges, used to make marmalade.
This is just a quick introduction of what you’ll find along your visit to the fortress. Do you want to know more hidden secrets? Stay tuned to our blog!
