Sarah's Atlantic Circle
| The Alcazaba de Almeria |
 Most
of the major cities in Andalusia have at least the remains of an Alcazaba or
Moorish fortress. The most famous of the Alcazaba is at the Alhambra.
However Alcazaba de Almeria is more impressive and certainly larger than the
one at the Alhambra. The city of Almeria was probably the most important
port and market in Muslim Spain and the fortress was appropriate for such an
important city. |
 This
is a view of the interior of the Alcazaba which includes a number of active
excavations. |
 The
Alcazaba commanded the heights above Almeria. |
 The
fortress included this wall extension running across the ravine next to the
Alcazaba up to the Hill of Saint Christopher. |
 Another
view of the ravine wall. |
 The
lower portion of the Alcazaba is today an impressive array of gardens,
however that is a recent edition. During the restoration it appears the
Alcazaba was initially viewed as a public park and cultural center. Much of
the existing structure was refurbished rather than restored or conserved.
It would appear only later was the archaeological value of the Alcazaba
recognized and and ruins beneath the rubble excavated. |
 Here
a portion of those ruins have been excavated. In addition to a fort the
Alcazaba was an urban city. These ruins are part of the water system in the
Alcazaba sitting on top of the Aljibe or underground cistern for collecting
and storing water. |
 Jeff
in the Alcazaba. |