The castles of Andalusia are “the great spectacle of History.” This is how the Regional Government defines its fortresses, which are numerous and highly interesting. In this post, we offer a brief overview of the five most spectacular and best-preserved, although many others are scattered throughout the region’s eight provinces. All of them are tangible examples of the different civilizations that have populated this territory and can now be enjoyed by all tourists.
The Alhambra: the jewel of the castles of Andalusia
The Alhambra in Granada is not only one of the most beautiful castles in Andalusia, but also one of its greatest tourist attractions. It was the most voted Spanish monument in the contest for the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, although it ranked 13th globally. In reality, what stands on the Sabika hill is an enormous monumental complex that includes not only a fortress or alcazaba, but also royal palaces, gardens, religious temples, and museums. It was erected under the Nasrid dynasty at the end of the 13th century, and from 1492, it was also used by the Christian monarchy.
The Alcazaba of Malaga, much more than an Arab fortress
The Alcazaba of Malaga could not be missing from this list of the best castles in Andalusia, which, despite its name, is much more than an Arab fortified enclosure. In fact, on Mount Gibralfaro, where it is located, there is evidence of Phoenician settlement, and at its foot, a spectacular Roman theater can be seen. However, its construction dates back to the Muslim period (from the 10th century) and underwent Christian renovations after the Reconquista.
Alcazaba and Walls of San Cristóbal in Almería
The other great Alcazaba of Andalusia is that of Almería, built from the 10th century during the heyday of the Taifa of Almería, but with significant modifications after the Christian Reconquista. In reality, it is a complex composed of three fortified enclosures and walls that extend along an adjacent hill, named Jairán by the king of the Taifa who ordered its construction, or San Cristóbal, according to its Christian renaming. In total, its perimeter exceeds 1,400 meters in length.
Santa Catalina Castle: an eternal sentinel of Jaén
Santa Catalina deserves to be included in this selection of castles in Andalusia due to its imposing location: atop the eponymous hill, like an eternal sentinel of the city of Jaén. Its origin is Iberian, and what we see mainly corresponds to the ‘new alcázar,’ of Christian construction in the mid-13th century, although it also had two other enclosures: the old Muslim alcázar (now a highly modified Parador Nacional) and the Abrehui, an extension with 5 towers.
Niebla, a castle as spectacular as it is unknown
Niebla Castle is probably the most beautiful in all of Huelva. However, it is not as well-known as the previous four, which are located in provincial capitals. But much of its charm lies in its surprise factor. Of Roman origin, what is seen today is of Arab architecture from the 11th century onwards. It stands out for its good state of preservation, which allows it to annually host the Niebla Theater and Dance Festival.
