Right above the city center of Málaga rises an old Moorish fortress. The Alcazaba de Málaga lies on the slope of the mountain Gibralfaro located between the center and the city’s harbour. People enter the sight in the outer area of the fortress, where they need to mount Alcazaba over rocky paths and old stone stairs. When they finally reach the Gate of Christ to enter the upper area of the fortress, they are welcomed by historic builds, springs and gardens.
From a dry wasteland to the green lung of Málaga
Throughout the history of Alcazaba, the fortress served as a palace, prison, headquarter of the city’s leadership, as well as a living space for citizens. Already the Phoenicians, ancient Semitic seafaring people who ruled the trade of the Mediterranean Sea, lived at the fortress around 600 BC. Even the Romans settled down near Alcazaba which is located at the eastern site of the former city wall.
But the green oasis in the middle of Málaga has not always been the beautiful place it is now. To ensure an effective defense, the fortress resembled more a dry wasteland than a flourishing retreat. At the beginning of the 20th century, the whole area was a slum, where the poor citizens of Málaga lived. Then finally in 1939, the reforestation of Alcazaba began, creating an idyllic scene above the city.
Getting lost in the maze of Alcazaba
The vaults of Alcazaba remind of a maze. Each arch follows different paths to explore the fortress’s impressive elements. Visitors will walk under towers, through Hispanic and Arabic gardens and alongside orange trees. Behind thick stone walls lay hidden aisles, while small upright stairs lead to another part of Alcazaba yet to discover. Visitors will even find a well that goes 40 meters deep to a natural spring.
But one place might be the true jewel of Málaga’s fortress: the inside area. While walking through these colorful courtyards and palaces that were built on different kinds of stone and brick, one will find themselves surrounded by wild vegetation, beautiful arches and small pools. And as most of these vaults are connected to each other, orientation might get lost easily.
Back in the early days of Málaga, the inner area also functioned as the administrational place and headquarter of the city’s leadership.
A hidden gem in the Alcazaba
Due to the location of the fortress on a mountain, the view from Alcazabas mansonry is a promising experience. At the fortesses’ bar, visitors can order coffee, beer or even a pizza to enjoy while overwatching the Mediterranean Sea. The small café-bar is hidden in the back of one of the fortresses’ gardens. People can sit and relax under trees and beetween bushes, while relishing a snack before continuing to explore the fortress.
A visit of Alcazaba de Málaga is therefore mandatory for tourists as well as for locals to not only learn about the history of Málaga, but also to explore one of the city’s most beautiful places and enjoy an extraordinary view over the harbor.
