On our last full day in Spain, we were finally lucky with the dry, sunny weather I normally associate with southern Spain. After lunch in Plaza de Merced, we headed towards a castle on a hill overlooking the square (the Alcazaba). Somehow, we found ourselves going through a tunnel and emerging near the water. We could see a castle further up the mountain (Castillo de Gibralfaro) so we walked towards it, thinking it was the Alcazaba.
But the path kept going up and up, and with the sun beating down on us and the stones reflecting it back from beneath our feet, we were both hot and sweaty by the time we finally made it to the top. There we heard spanish guitar being played by a street musician with a little Lizard hanging out in his guitar case. I over heard him tell a woman that the lizard was his friend and was named Jorge. When we left they were still there, but Jorge was munching on some leaves.
Castillo de Gibralfaro was built in 929AD by Abd-al-Rahman III, Caliph of Cordoba, over the site of a light house, and later enlarged in the late 1300s by Yusef 1, Sultan of Granada. The castle fell to Ferdinand and Isabella during the Reconsquista after a 3 month siege.
The high walls offer an amazing view of the surrounding town and mountains, and it was easy to imagine how difficult it would be to attack. After climbing the mountain, you'd need a nap and maybe a protein shake before even thinking of scaling that wall.
The view was amazing, with the mountains on one side and the Mediteranian on the other.
Inside the walls there is a small museum called the Interpretation Centre, showcasing the evolution of Spanish facial hair styles (and the uniforms and weapons that went with them, too). There is also a stage area for events, and a small fast-food style cafe, which would have really come in handy during the siege.
This castle was bigger than most others I've visited. Instead of just being a fortress, there was a large area within the walls that I could imagine actually living in, with many fully grown trees and paths. The hill side was split into terrases, and I could suspect food could be grown on them.
Opening hours
Tuesday to Sunday
Summer: 9 am to 8pm
Winter: 9am to 6pm
Closed 1 Jan, 28 Feb & 25 Dec.
Entrance Fees
Normal: 2.20 euros
Joint ticket Alcazaba & Gibralfaro: 3.55 euros
Free entry Sundays after 2pm.
Address
CMNO GIBRALFARO 11, 29016 Málaga
(Postal Address: Paseo de Reding, 1, 29016 Málaga)
Tel: 952 227 230
Gorgeous! I like finding travel bloggers, I get to see places I'd be to timid to venture too. It looks like you guys had fun. I'm stopping by from SITS & I hope you have a great Saturday!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos and wonderful writing. You made me feel like I was there with you.
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing photos! I love expat blogs; thanks for sharing yours!
ReplyDeleteWhat a view! Now that's a place I'd love to explore!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! Love the shots of the city and the water together. So random that the center showcased facial hair! That's not something you see everyday.
ReplyDeleteWell, technically it was supposed to be about the uniforms and armor, but all the mannequins were the same and quite plain, except for the facial hair. I wish I'd taken photos, but there was one who could have been a musketeer, with a pointy little goatee and mustache, and the others had really icon, flamboyant styles too. I think my husband was jealous. The rest of the museum was quite drab, but whomever styled these gents knew what they were doing.
Delete