t Málaga’s Alcazaba, towering above Roman ruins
For all the myriad architectural styles that can be enjoyed in Seville and Andalucía, there’s one associated with the region more than any other: that of the Moors. Explore any one of Andalucía’s many Moorish buildings to be transported back to the age of al-Andalus.
t Málaga’s Alcazaba, towering above Roman ruins
Nowhere is the might of the Moors more evident than in their impenetrable fortresses. One of the most dramatic examples is Málaga’s Alcazaba, which was built on a tree-covered mountainside over the ruins of a Roman town. Book a ticket to a drama or music performance in the amphitheatre below the fortress to soak up the evocative surroundings. Another picturesque example is Almería’s Alcazaba. Here, hulking walls conceal landscaped gardens bursting with fragrant plants. It’s the perfect spot for an afternoon stroll.
Many mosques became churches after the reconquista. Nowhere exhibits this religious syncretism quite like the Mezquita. Here, a 16th-century cathedral sits beside a Moorish prayer hall, lined with row upon row of candy-cane-like arches.
Whether in the soaring minarets of their mosques or the looming towers which stood guard over their fortresses, Moorish architects reached for the heavens. Keeping watch over Seville’s old city walls, on the banks of the Guadalquivir river, is the Torre del Oro. Venture inside the 12-sided tower for a great view of Triana over the battlements.
The architects of the Alhambra set out to create paradise on Earth, and it seems that they succeeded. Take a tour of the Nasrid Palaces, at the heart of the complex, to learn about the design. Visiting at night, when the patios are atmospherically lit, is an unforgettable experience.
Hidden Gem
Most of Andalucía’s great Moorish buildings still stand proud at the heart of modern cities, but some have been left to the sands of time. The ghostly ruins of Medina Azahara, west of Córdoba, are all that remain of a mosque, gardens and royal palaces.
Great View
The most iconic viewpoint in Granada is undoubtedly the Mirador de San Nicolás. Here, the Alhambra is seen rising from the dark forest of elms planted by (of all people) the Duke of Wellington in 1812. It’s particularly gorgeous at sunset.