Gibralfaro Castle

The castle of Gibralfaro or alcázar de Gibralfaro is a fortification located in the Spanish city of Malaga.

History

Part of the walls.

The old Phoenician enclosure contained a lighthouse that gives its name to the Gibralfaro hill (Jbel-Faro, or mount of the lighthouse). It was Abderramán III who transformed the ancient ruins that had existed since before the arrival of the Romans into a fortress. The fortress was enlarged and converted into a fortress by the Nazarite king Yusuf I in 1340. The castle was subjected to a strong siege by the Catholic Monarchs throughout the summer of 1487. After the siege, Fernando the Catholic took it as residence, while Isabella I of Castile chose to live in the city.

It was built to house the troops and protect the Alcazaba during sieges, due to the widespread use of the top of the hill by artillery.

It was one of the most impregnable fortresses in the Iberian Peninsula. It consists of two lines of walls and eight towers. The outer wall joins the coracha, walls arranged in zigzag shapes that hold the castle together with the Alcazaba. For its part, the inner wall allows the walkway to be made around the entire perimeter of the fortress.

The castle is divided into two parts. The upper part is called the main courtyard and the Interpretation Center is located there. In the same area is the Torre Mayor, 17 meters high, the Phoenician well and the baths. The Airón well is excavated in solid rock and is 40 meters deep.

The lower part, or parade ground, contained the barracks for the troops and the stables. The albarrana tower or white tower, facing northeast, is one of the most visible and inside it preserves a cistern, dependencies and warehouses

Currently the castle can be visited, and from its keep you can see magnificent views of the city of Malaga, and on clear days it is possible to see some mountains of the Rif mountain range (in Africa) and the Strait of Gibraltar.

Cataloging

Asset of Cultural Interest, Monument category, according to Law 16/1985 of June 25. Declared a Historic-Artistic Monument on June 3, 1931.

Gibralfaro Interpretation Center

In the castle's powder magazine there is an exhibition that reviews elements of daily military life in the castle throughout history. It contains, among other items on display, the typical military uniforms of the soldiers of the regiments of each era that stayed in the castle: from the 16th century the Halberdier; in the 17th century, the Arquebusier; in the 18th century, a soldier of the Fixedo Regiment of Malaga; 19th century, an officer of the 3rd Reding Infantry and of the XX, a soldier of the 17th Bourbon Regiment.

Curiosities

It appears on the shields and flags of both the city and the province of Malaga.

In summer, the capital of Malaga celebrates jazz, ethnic and classical music recitals in the castle's Patio de Armas during the Gibfest Festival.

Some scenes from the feature film Scent of Mystery directed by Mike Todd and starring Elizabeth Taylor were shot at Gibralfaro Castle in 1959.

Transportation