The double-walled passage that loops back on itself

Step forward into the inner palaces of the Alcazaba by navigating a climbing passage that loops back on itself twice. This bent entrance was a design intended to make progress difficult for attacking forces.

We can trace the evolution of this site back to the Phoenicians who occupied the hill around 600 BC. Although the Romans eventually constructed a theatre and a villa here, the current fortress structure emerged in the 11th century under the Hammudid dynasty. During the 14th century, the Nasrid emir Muhammad II refined the double-walled system. According to architect restorer Leopoldo Torres Balbás, the Alcazaba of Málaga is the prototype of military architecture in the Taifa period of Al-Andalus, with its double walls and massive entry fortifications.

Walk through the gates to find the Puerta de las Columnas, where Roman-era columns were integrated into the façade. Within the outer citadel, the Plaza de las Armas reveals layers of history where archeological work uncovered remains of a former parish church, probably from the time of Ferdinand and Isabella, built on top of a former mosque. This complex once connected to the Castle of Gibralfaro via a walled corridor, creating a nearly impregnable fortified complex.

The site invites modern visitors to explore these historical layers today. The inner citadel protects the palaces while the outer enclosure hosts gardens and the Pozo Airón. This well cuts into the bedrock to a depth of 30 meters, where a natural water source was used to supply the inhabitants of the citadel. We encourage you to look closely at these enduring defenses.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons