Conjunto Monumental de la Alcazaba de Almería

About the museum

The Alcazaba of Almería began to be built in 955 by order of the caliph Abd al-Rahman III, on the site of an earlier fortress. Under Jayrán, in the Taifa period, it reached its greatest development, and the walls that still run along the San Cristóbal hill were erected to protect the city’s new neighbourhoods. After the Castilian conquest of 1489 the third enclosure, of Christian origin, was added, and an earthquake in 1522 severely damaged the first enclosure.

It was first declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1931. From the 1940s the architect Francisco Prieto Moreno directed restorations that partly changed its appearance, and he designed the gardens and the pool courtyard of the second enclosure, in imitation of the Alhambra. In 1984 management passed to the Junta de Andalucía, which created the Monumental Complex in 1989. Systematic archaeological excavations have been carried out since then.

The visit covers three enclosures: the first, a garden with a cistern and a noria well; the second, the core of the old palatine city, with the Caliphal cistern, the Baños de la Tropa, the remains of the palace and the two Arab houses rebuilt in the 1960s, now museumised; and the third, of Christian origin. The fortress is entered in the Register of Museums of Andalusia.

Highlights

• Three enclosures, with the Puerta de la Justicia and the Muro de la Vela
• Museumised Arab houses on Andalusian daily life and their finds
• Remains of the palace and the 11th-century Baños de la Tropa
• Mudéjar hermitage of San Juan and the Torre del Homenaje
• Free guided tour on Saturdays at 09:00

Permanent exhibition

• Casas árabes musealizadas – Two Muslim houses rebuilt in the 1960s in the second enclosure: one shows the typical spaces of an Andalusian home, and the other displays archaeological remains of daily life found in the excavations.

Founded

1989

Operated by

Junta de Andalucía – Consejería de Cultura y Deporte

Admission & discounts

Free admission for accredited citizens of the European Union; €1.50 for visitors from other countries.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Partial accessibility. There is an adapted secondary entrance for manual (non-electric) wheelchairs in the third enclosure, on Calle Ramón Castilla Pérez. It must be arranged in advance by phone or email between 09:00 and 14:00, and it can be used up to an hour and a half before clearing. The accessible route goes up past the moat to the patio de armas and the second enclosure, and there is an adapted toilet in the second enclosure. No animals are admitted, except assistance dogs.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By car, via the Autovía del Mediterráneo, Puerto exit, following the signs to the Centro Histórico. On foot, from Puerta de Purchena along Calle de las Tiendas, Plaza de la Administración Vieja, Calle Arráez and Calle de la Reina to Calle Almanzor.

Amenities & dining

In the Casa del Alcaide, in the second enclosure, there are toilets and vending machines. Visitor Reception Centre behind the Puerta de la Justicia.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit