Alcazaba

The Alcazaba in Málaga.

An alcazaba (Spanish: [alkaˈθaβa], Galician: [alkaˈθaβa]), alcáçova (Portuguese: [ɐɫˈkasuvɐ]) or alcassaba (Catalan: [əɫkəˈsaβə]) is a Moorish fortification in Spain and Portugal. The word derives from the Arabic word القصبة (al-qasbah), a walled-fortification in a city.

Alcazabas are present in Badajoz (the largest), Almería, Antequera, Granada, Guadix, Málaga, Mérida, Molina de Aragón and Alcalá la Real. The alcazaba in Granada constitutes the oldest portion of the Alhambra palace.

The word alcazaba should not be confused with alcázar (Spanish) and alcácer (Portuguese), which have their etymology in the Arabic al-qasr, which in turn derives from the Latin 'castrum', and denotes a fort or castle.

Famous Alcazaba

• Alcazaba of Alcalá la Real
• Alcazaba of Almería
• Alcazaba of Antequera
• Alcazaba of Badajoz
• Alcazaba of Granada
• Alcazaba of Guadix
• Alcazaba of Málaga
• Alcazaba of Mérida
• Castle of Molina de Aragón

See also

• Alcázar

External links

• Independent study and photos of the Alcazaba Granada

Coordinates: 36°43′16″N 4°24′58″W / 36.721°N 4.416°W / 36.721; -4.416

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