Zalia Castle

Zalia Castle, locally known as Castillo de Zalia, lies on a hill opposite the village of Alcaucín in the province of Málaga in Spain.

When the first fortification at this site was built is unknown. It may even have been built by the Phoenicians. The Moors built the present Zalia Castle in medieval times. It guarded the ancient Nasrid trade route from Granada to Málaga through the Zafarraya pass. The castle consisted of a double-walled enclosure with an irregular plan adapted to the shape of the hill.

In September 1485, Zalia Castle was taken by the Catholic Monarchs. This was accomplished through betrayal with the help of a local Moor who had converted to Christianity. Later they used the castle as a prison for rebellious Moors.

The name of the castle is said to come from a Moorish queen who lived here.

At present Zalia Castle is very ruinous. The gate towers and some remnants of other towers of the inner enclosure remain. Of the outer enclosure some wall parts and a tower remain. But the great views over the surrounding valleys are worth the visit alone. It is freely accessible.

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