Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, Cordoba
Outer walls and tower of Cordoba's Alcazar.
Long lines to enter the Alcazar, one of the main attractions of Cordoba.
View of the Alcazar's gardens from above. Photo by Soknet.
The Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos (Castle of Christian Monarchs) is a historic palace-fortress on the river in Cordoba, Spain.
History
The Alcázar was built by Alfonso XI in 1328. The original Moorish Alcázar stood beside the Mezquita, on the site of the present Bishop's Palace. Ferdinand and Isabella later governed Castile from the Alcázar for eight years in the 15 th century as they prepared to reconquer Granada, the last Moorish stronghold in Spain. It was here that Queen Isabella heard Christopher Columbus' pitch before his historic journey to the Americas.
Boabdil was imprisoned here in 1483, and for nearly 300 years (1492-1821) the Alcázar served as the headquarters of the Spanish Inquisition.
What to See
The Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos is a quadrangular building notable for its powerful walls and three towers: the Tower of the Lions, the Tower of Allegiance, and the Tower of the River. The Tower of the Lions contains intricately decorated ceilings that are the most notable example of Gothic architecture in Andalusia.
Inside, the Alcázar houses Roman mosaics and sarcophagi from the 2nd and 3rd centuries, as well as Moorish baths (now used for weddings). The Alcázar is surrounded by magnificent gardens called the Paseo de los Reyes where there are statues of all the kings linked to the palace-fortress.
Location Map
Location map and satellite view of the Alcazar in Cordoba. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. or a larger view, see our Cordoba Map or Google Earth download.
Quick Facts
| Address: | Pl. Campo Santo de los Mártires, San Basilio, Córdoba, Spain |
| Location: | Caballerizas Reales, two blocks southwest of the Mezquita |
| Phone: | 95-742-01-51 |
| Bus: | 3 or 12 |
| Hours: | May-Sept Tues-Sat 8:30am-2:30pm and 6-8pm, Sun 10am-2pm; Oct-May Tues-Sat 10am-2pm and 4:30-6:30pm, Sun 9:30am-2:30pm. Gardens illuminated July-Sept 10pm-1am |
| Cost: | 2€ adults, free on Fridays and for children under 18 with parent |
Sources
- Personal visit (outside only; April 4, 2007) - see Cordoba blog post
- Frommer's Seville, Granada, and the Best of Andalusia
- Historic Centre of Cordoba – UNESCO World Heritage
- Alcazar and Gardens – IgoUgo user review, August 2, 2003
Travel Resources
- Cordoba City Map - Sacred Destinations
- Cordoba Hotel Reviews - TripAdvisor
- Cordoba Car Rentals - AutoEurope
- Cordoba Travel Forum - TripAdvisor
