Crowning a hill high above the city and the sea, the castle of Gibralfaro is one of the great Moorish fortresses of southern Spain. Its long ramparts follow the crest of the hill, offering wide views over Malaga and its bay. The fortress was built in the 14th century by Yusuf the First, a ruler of the Muslim kingdom of Granada. It was raised to protect the older citadel below and to house the army. Its name comes from words meaning the rock of the lighthouse, and tradition holds that a beacon once stood here to guide ships. The hill has been a lookout point since ancient times. The castle sits about 130 metres above the sea, and from its walls the slopes fall steeply towards the city and harbour. In its day the hillside was kept clear of trees to prevent surprise attacks. A fortified walkway, known as the coracha, links the castle to the citadel below, forming a single great defensive complex. This zigzag of walls was the only way up to the castle. Within the walls once stood a mosque, later turned into a Christian chapel after the city fell to the Catholic monarchs. A powder store was later built on the same spot. The castle served as a military post for centuries, guarding the coast right up to the early 20th century. Its long history is told in a small museum within the walls. Visitors today can walk the ramparts and towers, enjoying views over the city, the port, the bullring and the Mediterranean. The walk along the walls is the highlight of a visit. The climb up to the castle, by a steep path through gardens or by road, is rewarded by the panorama at the top. Many pause at viewpoints along the way. Together with the citadel below, the castle is one of the chief sights of the city and a reminder of its long Moorish past. The two are often visited together. It stands on the hill of Gibralfaro, above the old centre of Malaga.

Type: Tourist Attraction

Address: Camino Gibralfaro 11, Málaga, Spain, 29016