The Alcazaba and Gibralfaro castle, Málaga

The Gibralfaro fortress dominates the whole city, and is situated on the crest of a long rise located 132 m above sea level, whose steep slopes descend toward the sea and toward the city. From time immemorial this fortress was the great watchtower used not only to observe the population settled at its feet to the west, but also the access to it by land and sea.

Gibralfaro Castle was built in the 14th century to house troops and protect the Alcazaba, making it the most impregnable fortress of all al-Andalus. It receives its name from toponymic references (Yabal, in Arabic, meaning hilltop and Faruh, a word in Ayamí that comes from the Greek faros, or lighthouse), and is mentioned in the sources in relation to the existence of a religious ribat in the 12th century, that was home to a holy man, although it is not possible to say whether some type of fortification existed in the 13th century. Previously, it had been used by the Phoenicians and Romans (remains of ceramics and architectural structures have been found from the Phoenician-Punic period).  

In 1977 the task of completing demolition of the military buildings was undertaken, together with work on the gardens to improve tourism. From 1986 onwards, the City Council agreed to ask the Andalusian Regional Government to restore it. This project was carried out in three phases between 1989 and 1999, and included the restoration of walls and towers, interior paths, provision of toilets, parking areas, etc.

The Alcazaba (which comes from al-Qasba, meaning urban fortress) is located on the hillside of Mount Gibralfaro, in the small bay that is home to the city of Malaga. Its strategic position led it to be inhabited by ancient civilisations such as the Phoenicians, who settled on the hilltop around 600 B.C., and the Romans, who also settled in the area: on the southern slope, where remains have been found of a Roman villa and of industrial facilities for salting fish, and on the western slope of Mount Gibralfaro, where they built a theatre in the 1st century. During the Islamic period, the Alcazaba was initially built as a fortification, and later became a palace-fortress, and the seat of the city government.

LOCATION

 

OPENING HOURS

Summer: 09:00AM - 08:00PM
Winter: 09:00AM - 06:00PM

ENTRANCE FEES

Normal rate (for one of the two monuments) 3,50 €

Normal combined rate (for both monuments) 5,50 €

Group rate (for one of the two monuments) 2,50 €

Group combined rate (for both monuments) 4,00 €

Reduced rate (for one of the two monuments) 1,50€

Reduced combined rate (for both monuments) 2,50 €

School group rate (for one of the two monuments) 2,00 €

School group combined rate (for both monuments) 3,50 €