Guadix Alcazaba

The Guadix Alcazaba, locally known as Alcazaba de Guadix, lies in the center of the town of the same name in the province of Granada in Spain.

The first fortification at this site was probably built in Roman times. The present Guadix Alcazaba was built during the 10th and 11th century by the Moors, on the ruins of a former Moorish fortress built in the early stages of the Arab invasion in the 8th century. The entire citadel is built out of rammed earth on a masonry base, hence the orange/red color. It housed a military garrison to protect the town and the road to Granada.

In 1489 the town and alcazaba were handed over to the Catholic Monarchs after they had agreed to respect the lives, property and ways of its inhabitants, in exchange for the surrender of the town and the conversion of its mosque into a Christian church. From then on the town and alcazaba lost their importance.

During the 16th century all the residential buildings inside the Guadix Alcazaba were destroyed.

The Guadix Alcazaba can be visited for a small fee but was closed for renovations when I visited. A beautiful citadel in a sleepy town.

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