Spotlight: Gibraltar

Spotlight: Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. The ideally situated city sits on the Strait of Gibraltar, a narrow passage that connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. The Rock of Gibraltar is a small 426 meter mountain that juts up, creating the perfect natural fortress from which a well-armed force can control the passage. Around the Rock sits the town of Gibraltar, home to 34,000 Gibraltarians. The Almohads established a permanent watch tower there in 1160. Since then control of the area switched off between the Nasrids, Castilians and Marinids during the Middle Ages. In 1704, Anglo-Dutch forces captured Gibraltar from Spain during the War of the Spanish Succession, and the territory was ceded to Great Britain in the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. The Royal Navy established a naval base there which gave the British a huge edge during the Napoleonic Wars and World War II since half of the world's sea-borne trade passed through the Strait.

Battery on top of the Rock of Gibraltar

The King of Gibraltar

Activities:

- Gibraltar Cable Car & Nature Reserve: The Gibraltar Cable Car is the fastest, and most convenient, method of going to the top of the Rock of Gibraltar. The trip takes 6 minutes and offers great views of the rock, the city and the sea port. At the top, you'll have the opportunity to see 2 continents, 3 countries, and the meeting point of 2 great bodies of water - as long as it's a clear day. When we got there, it was foggy, but it cleared up before we left so we didn't miss out on the views.

Cable Car Station (bottom)

Cable Car Top Station

     At the Top Station, you can get a bite to eat at the Mons Calpe Suite Restaurant and Bar or visit the Top of the Rock Souvenir Shop. The famous Barbary apes can be found at the Top Station lookout as well as Middle Station (also known as Ape's Den). They are wild animals and roam freely, so don't leave anything unattended or they will make off with it.

Barbary Ape Pals

     After enjoying the view from the top, take time to stroll through the Nature Reserve. The Nature Reserve hosts several unique experiences for visitors. The SkyWalk opened in 2018 with Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) cutting the ribbon with his lightsaber. The glass walkway (a short walk from Top Station) offers unobstructed views of the steep drop below. St. Michael's Cave (less than a kilometer from the top) was discovered during Roman times and was thought to be bottomless. The cave was used as an auxiliary hospital during WWII. In addition to the beautiful natural formations, the cave is decked out with strobe lights that put on a light show in beat with the music. The cave is often used for concerts today. Other highlights include the World War II Tunnels, the Siege Tunnels, the Ape's Den (Middle Station), Windsor Suspension Bridge, O'Hara's Battery, the 100-ton Gun, the Moorish Castle and the Mediterranean Steps.

Sky Walk

St. Michael's Cave

Cave formation away from the lights

Tunnels

     If you are up for a hike, the Mediterranean Steps are a different option than taking the cable car back down to the bottom. The Steps were built by the British military and link Martin's Path (near the bottom) with Lord Airey's Battery (near the top). The path offers stunning views of the Strait of Gibraltar, Windmill Hill, Europa Point, the Great Sand Dune and the various beaches along Gibraltar's east side and Spain's Costa del Sol. Near the bottom, you'll arrive at Jew's Gate Cemetery. After passing out of the Reserve, you might want to take a look at the monument to the Pillars of Hercules - of which Gibraltar is one. The other is supposed to be Abila Mons - a smaller promontory on the African side of the Strait.

Monument to the Pillars of Hercules

The Mediterranean Steps

- Location: Red Sands Rd, Gibraltar GX11 1AA, Gibraltar

- Hours: 9:30 am to 7:15 pm daily; a new cable car arrives about every 10 minutes

- Cost: Cable Car round trip only: Adults: 19 pounds, Child (5-11): 9 pounds, Seniors (65+): 17 pounds

    Cable Car round trip + nature reserve: Adults: 38 pounds, Child: 22 pounds, Seniors: 36 pounds

    Cable Car single trip + nature reserve: Adults: 35.5 pounds, Child: 22 pounds, Seniors: 34 pounds

- Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Things You Should Know:

- Gibraltarians speak a local dialect known as Llanito - which is a mix of Andalusian Spanish and English. Tourists can get by speaking either language

- The Barbary Apes (really monkeys) can be aggressive if you have something they want. My wife had a water bottle in her backpack, and one leaped onto the pack in order to get at the water bottle. She started screaming and we got it off before we realized that we missed a great photo op. My daughter tempted one onto her back for a picture. They didn't attack us at all, just went after our stuff. Later, one stole my wife's ice cream bar. Needless to say, she didn't like them as much as the rest of us.

Ice Cream Thief

- We parked our car at the cable car parking lot and bought timed parking for 5 hours. Unfortunately, it took us longer to hike down than we thought it would, so we didn't get to see everything we wanted to see before heading back to the car. We then tried to drive back up to the Great Siege Tunnels and Moorish Castle, but couldn't find parking because there were too many cars already parked up there.

- The streets driving up and down The Rock are very narrow. Drive with caution!

- It can be cold at the Top of the Rock even if it is warm down below. Bring some sort of light jacket or sweatshirt.

Nearby: El Caminito del Rey - a fabulous hike (148 km NE of Gibraltar); Malaga - Spain's largest city along the southern coast (134 km NE of Gibraltar); Tangier - Morrocan city on the northern shore of Africa (85 km SW of Gibraltar); Parque Natural Los Alcornocales (64 km NW of Gibraltar)

Spotlight: Sevilla, Spain

Spotlight: Sevilla, AKA Seville, is the largest city in Andalusia. It is located along the banks of the Guadalquivir River in southern Spain. Sevilla was originally founded by the Romans under the name of Hispalis. In 711 AD, it fell under the control of the Islamic Moors, who conquered most of the Iberian peninsula in the 8th century. During the Christian "Reconquest" of the peninsula, Sevilla fell back under Catholic control in 1248, when it was incorporated under the Crown of Castilla (AKA Castile).

    Sevilla was perhaps the most important city in Spain during the Colonial Era. The reason for this is because most ships sailing back and forth between Spain and Spain's colonies in the Americas did so via the river port in Sevilla. Sevilla's harbor is located about 80 km from the Atlantic Ocean, and the Guadalquivir was deep enough to allow the Spanish galleons easy access to Sevilla, which was well-connected to Spain's other major cities. As drought conditions lowered the depth of the Guadalquivir in the late 1700's, Spain's primary harbor was moved south to Cadiz.

Bullfighting Arena in downtown Sevilla

Activities:

Real Alcazar de Sevilla: The Royal Alcazar of Sevilla was constructed from a palace complex built by the Abbadid Dynasty in the 11th century. Over the centuries, the complex has gone through many transformations creating a mixed architectural style that includes elements of Mudejar, Gothic and Renaissance styles. The "Catholic Monarchs," Fernando and Isabel, renovated the Alcazar, making it their primary residence. The Alcazar is still a working palace, and the royal family occupies the upper stories whenever they are in town. The main access to the complex is through La Puerta del Leon (The Lion Gate), where most guided tours start. Some of the highlights of the complex include: the Sala de la Justicia (Courtroom of Justice), the Patio del Yeso (Courtyard of Plaster), the Patio de la Monteria (Courtyard of the Hunt), the Cuarto del Almirante (Admiral's Room), the Patio de las Doncellas (Courtyard of the Maidens), Baños de Doña María de Padilla (The Baths of Lady Maria de Padilla) and the Salon de los Embajadores (Hall of the Ambassadors) - among many others. The rooms in each room are decorated from floor to ceiling with interesting arrays of geometric patterns or historically relevant paintings. In addition to the lavish rooms, visitors can stroll through the beautiful gardens. The gardens were both funcional, providing food for the palace, and recreational - replete with statues, ponds, pools, fountains, flowers and other aesthetically pleasing planters. The Alcazar was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987 and is administered by the Patrimonia Nacional.

Real Alcazar de Sevilla

Ornately decorated walls within the Alcazar

Closer look at the wall art

- Location: Casco Antiguo, 41004 Sevilla

- Hours: 9:30 am to 8 pm; plan on 2-3 hours to truly see this site

- Cost: General admission -13.50 euros; Guided tours: variable

- Rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Archivo General de Indias: The General Archive of the Indies was created by Carlos III in 1785. Housed in the former Merchant Guild Building of Seville (late 16th Century), the Archive is a repository of archival documents and artefacts from the Spanish Empire in the Americas and Asia. The Archive has many fascinating historical documents that visitors can peruse through glass cases at their leisure. Among these documents include: signed letters from many of the conquistadors, signed letters from Spanish monarchs, the Bull of Demarcation Inter caetera by Pope Alexander the VI, the journal of Christopher Columbus and signed letters, coded letters, maps of many early Spanish-American cities, historically relevant paintings, etc. The Archive houses 9 kilometers of shelving, with 43,000 volumes that total some 80 million pages! The building and Archive were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.

Letter from Christopher Columbus

Coded letter

- Location: Av. de la Constitución, s/n, Casco Antiguo, 41004 Sevilla

- Hours: Tuesday - Saturday from 9:30 am to 5 pm; 10:00 am to 2 pm on Sundays; closed Mondays

- Cost: free

- Rating: 4 of 5 stars (5 stars if you like history; 3 stars if you don't)

The Catedral de Sevilla:  Upon its completion in 1507, the Cathedral of Sevilla, measuring 23,500 square meters, supplanted Hagia Sophia as the largest cathedral in the world. Although it has since been surpassed by a few larger cathedrals, it remains the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. Juan of Aragon, the only son of Fernano and Isabel, was baptized here. Like most Catholic cathedrals, the Catedral de Sevilla contains the tombs of many famous Catholics, including: Christopher Columbus, Diego Columbus, King Fernando III, King Alfonso the Wise, King Pedro the Cruel, Cardinal Juan de Cervantes and Cardinal Pedro Gonzalez de Mendoza. Outside the cathedral is the reknowned Patio de los Naranjos or Courtyard of Orange Trees. Next to the cathedral is the Giralda Tower, which measures 104.5 meters (343 feet) in height. This bell tower is a former minaret of an Islamic mosque which once stood there. The tower contains 35 ramps winding around 7 vaulted chambers in the tower's core, allowing the tower to be scaled on horseback. The cathedral and tower were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.

Gold plated wall in the cathedral

Tomb of Christopher Columbus

The Giralda Tower

- Location: Av. de la Constitución, s/n, Casco Antiguo, 41004 Sevilla

- Hours: Tuesday - Saturday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm; 2:30 - 6:00 pm on Sundays; 11:00 - 3:30 pm Mondays

- Cost: General admission: 9 euros; Student and Retirees: 4 euros

- Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Torre del Oro: The Tower of Gold is a dodecagonal military tower on the riverbanks of the Guadalquivir River. The tower was originally constructed in the 13th century by the Almohad Caliphate to control access to Sevilla by river. A second, much smaller level was constructed a century later. The third level, circular in shape, was destroyed in an earthquake, and rebuilt in 1760. A second tower, la Torre de Plata (Tower of Silver), was built during the same time frame. The Torre del Oro got its name from the golden hue its image cast on the river, as opposed to the Torre de Plata which is a much lighter hue. A wall connecting the towers helped protect access to the Alcazar. During the Middle Ages, the tower was used as a prison. Today it is a nautical museum.

Torre de Oro

View of the Guadalquivir River from the Torre

- Location: P.º de Cristóbal Colón, s/n, Casco Antiguo, 41001 Sevilla

- Hours: Monday - Friday from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm; Saturday - Sunday; 10:30 - 6:45 pm

- Cost: Adults: 3 euros, Students: 1.50 euros, Children under 6: free

- Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Plaza de España: Located in Maria Luisa Park, the Plaza de España was built in 1928 in preparation for the Ibero-American Exhibition of 1929. Designed by Anibal Gonzalez, the architecture is a mixture of Spanish Baroque Revival, Spanish Renaissance Revival and Neo-Mudejar styles. Star Wars fans will also notice a strong resemblance to the city of Theed on Naboo. That's because the Plaza was used to shoot several scenes of Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002). The Plaza has also been featured in Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Dictator (2012) and Kaos (2023). The Plaza, a large semi-circle, is accessible via four bridges (representing the four ancient kingdoms of Spain) that cross a moat with the Vicente Traver Fountain in the middle. Around the fountain, tiled alcoves represent the different regions of Spain, with quaint paintings depicting something for which the province is known. Also, the Plaza is a great place to watch Flamenco dancers performing for tips.

Plaza de España

Flamenco Dancer

Vicente Traver Fountain

Regional Alcove of Toledo

"Naboo" Bridge

- Location: Av. Isabel la Católica, 41004 Sevilla

- Hours: 8 am to midnight, daily

- Cost: Currently free, but will soon have an entry fee

- Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Things You Should Know:

- Sevilla is hot, especially during July and August when temperatures often register above 35 degrees Celcius (about 95 degrees Fahrenheit).

- The Real Alcazar of Sevilla offers free admission for an hour most Mondays.

- There has been a recent backlash against excessive tourism in parts of Spain. Residents not associated with the tourist industry have been complaining about how tourists are driving up prices, in particular due to the number of apartments that have been purchased for AirBnBs, which limits the supply for residents. In response to the vocal outcry of these dissidents, the mayor of Sevilla recently announced that they will be charging a tourist fee for the Plaza de 

España and possibly other attractions that were previously free.

Nearby: El Caminito del Rey - a fabulous hike (152 km SE of Sevilla); Parque Nacional de Doñana - 36 km SW of Sevilla; Cordoba - the Islamic capital of Spain during the height of Al-Andalus (141 km NE of Sevilla; 48 minutes by bullet train); Gibraltar - The Rock of Gibraltar is owned by England guarding the entrance to the Mediterranean (200 km south of Sevilla)

Spotlight: El Caminito del Rey

 Spotlight: Once known as "one of the world's most dangerous hikes," the Caminito del Rey is now safe as well as adventurous. The 7.7 km hike is made via a wooden walkway 100 meters above the Guadalhorce River, along a sheer cliff face, offering magnificent views of the canyon and surrounding countryside. The walls of the canyon rise as much as 700 meters above the canyon floor. The canyon is home to various species of vultures, golden eagles, Spanish ibex and wild boar. The aerial walkway was built in the early 20th century, between the waterfalls of Gaitanejo and El Chorro, to allow access by maintenance workers for the local hydroelectric dam. The hike got its name due to a visit by King Alfonso XIII, who visited the site in 1921, officially opening the engineering project.

Hydroelectric dam

View of the canyon

View of the old path below the new one

    The path through the canyon is one-way (north to south) and encompasses a combination of mountain trails and suspended boardwalks. At one point, there is a glass balcony which juts out from the walkway, allowing unobstructed vertical views of the canyon below. Guided tours of El Caminito del Rey start at the Visitors' Reception Centre at Puerto de las Atalayas (57.7 km northwest of Malaga or 51 km west of Antequera). 

Suspended boardwalk

Suspended bridge

glass balcony

View of the boardwalk hugging the cliff

Location: El Caminito del Rey, 29550 Ardales

- VISITORS' Reception Centre coordinates: X: 36.914411 / Y: -4.806910

Cost: General admission: 10 euros; Guided tours: 18 euros

Time: Guided hikes of Caminito del Rey begin from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm. The hike takes between 3-4 hours.

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Things You Should Know:

- You can reserve and purchase your ticket online (https://www.caminitodelrey.info/en/) or directly at the northern access of the Caminito, at the ticket office.

- Parking at the Visitors' Reception Centre is 2 euros/day. Plan on arriving one hour before your hike time to allow for pre-hike preparations, including shuttle time from the Visitors' Centre to the starting point of the hike.

- The shuttle that you take from the Visitors' Centre to the Caminito del Rey is not owned by the tour company, but the shuttle stop is next to the Visitors' Centre parking, and 300 meters from the ending point for the return trip. A single ticket is needed to travel back and forth on the shuttle. The ticket can be purchased ahead of time (online) or with cash (2.50 euros), but cannot be purchased by credit/debit card at the shuttle stop. The shuttle service runs from 7:40 am to 7:00 pm and is about 15-20 minutes.

- If you desire to do the hike on your own, there are parking lots in the town of Ardales where the hike begins. You can then take the shuttle bus from the trail's end back to Ardales.

Nearby: Ardales Cave (10 km SW of Caminito del Rey); Neocropolis de las Aguilillas (6.3 km NW of Caminito del Rey); The Rock Church of Bobastro (9.3 km south of Caminito del Rey); Malaga (60 km SE of Caminito del Rey).

Spotlight: Antequera, Spain

 Spotlight: Located in Andalusia, Antequera isn't usually found on most tourist company's lists of must-see places in Spain. However, we found it the perfect place to set up our base camp as we explored southern Spain. Antequera is located in between the four major cities in Andalusia: Cordoba, Sevilla, Malaga and Granada. We found an inexpensive, yet very comfortable and roomy Airbnb there and stayed there for a week, taking day trips to the nearby cities. Yet, even though it doesn't occupy much space in travel brochures, Antequera, with its white homes with red roofs, has some treasures of its own - including a castle and a nature reserve.

City of Antequera

A beautiful Antequeran church

Activities: 

La Alcazaba de Antequera: The Alcazaba de Antequera is a 14th century, rectangular fortress with three towers. It was built by the Moors over the ruins of a Roman fortress in an effort to check the advance of Christian forces into Andalusia. Nevertheless, in 1410 AD, the Castillian forces conquered the city following a six month seige. The moorish residents were exiled to Granada, where they settled in a neighborhood they named Antequeruela. The Christian forces reinforced the city's defenses and built a bell tower/chapel in the largest tower in 1582. This tower is among the largest in all of Andalusia.

La Alcazaba de Antequera

Castle interior

Castle Wall

- Location: Pl. de los Escribanos, s/n, 29200 Antequera

- Hours: 10 am to 6 pm daily (no entrance after 5:30)

- Cost: Adults: 6 euros, Groups: 5 euros each, Children 7-16: 3 euros

- Rating: 3 of 5 stars

El Torcal de Antequera: Located 16 km south of the city limits (about 5 mi. as the crow flies), is the beautiful Torcal de Antequera - a nature reserve. This park can be explored on your own or as part of a guided tour. Although certain areas of the reserve are only accessible through guided tours, there are many paths that are accessible to the general public. We decided to explore on our own, and it was spectacular. If you like unique rock formations, this park has plenty of fascinating formations - including the "Tornillo" (screw) and many similar formations. In fact, the Torcal is considered one of the most impressive karst landscapes in Europe. If you like animals, this park has plenty of them as well. As we were hiking, we heard what sounded like someone banging a hammer. We turned the corner and saw a herd of Spanish ibex. A couple of males were trying to establish their dominance by banging their heads. We also saw a fox searching for its breakfast. Other common animals in the park include: the Montpellier snake, the ocellated lizard, the Griffon vulture, badgers, weasels and other rodents. There are also many caves in the park, including the Cueva del Toro - which has several neolithic artifacts.

El Torcal de Antequera

El Tornillo

Hungry fox

Ibex head-butters

Spanish ibex herd

- Location: Calle el Torcal de Antequera, 70, 75, 29200 Antequera

- Hours: Open 24 hours/day

- Cost: free; guided tours cost between 2 euros - 16 euros, depending on the tour

- Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Things you should know: 

- If you desire to visit the Torcal de Antequera with a group or as part of a guided tour, please communicate your plans at: reservas@torcaldeantequera.com. If you plan to tour the park on your own, no advance reservations are needed. 

- The best time to visit the Torcal is probably early morning when you are likely to have the park practically to yourselves and are more likely to discover wildlife on the prowl.

- The Torcal Visitors Center has several visitor services including: parking, a tourist information center, tour guide services, a gift shop, cafeteria, interpretive area, a multi-purpose room and an astronomical observatory.

Nearby: El Caminito del Rey - a fabulous hike (50 km west of Antequera); Malaga - a large city located on the Mediterranean Sea (52 km south of Antequera); Sevilla - Spain's most important city during its colonial days (158 km west of Antequera); Cordoba - the Islamic capital of Spain during the height of Al-Andalus (119 km north of Antequera); Granada - home to La Alhambra (101 km east of Antequera).

Top 10 - Castles in Spain

     There are more than 2,500 documented castles in Spain! The number actually exceeds 10,000 if you include all the unofficial buildings and ruins that were once considered castles. Although some people refer to any palace as a castle, the official definition of a castle is a large, fortified building, typically from the medieval era. I have only visited a dozen Spanish castles, so this list is by no means comprehensive. It only includes those that I've visited personally. However, those that I've visited are definitely worth a look. With that disclaimer in mind, here is my Top 10:

10.  Fortaleza de Monterreal (Bayona) - Bayona is best known as the city where the Pinta landed upon its return from the Americas on March 1, 1493. It was from here that word of a "New World" spread across Europe. A full-scale replica of the Pinta sits in the harbor, which is guarded by the Fortaleza de Monterreal. The castle was built on the same site where Julius Caesar conquered Bayona in 60 BC. Construction of the modern castle was begun during the 11th century and wasn't completed until the 17th century. Because of its strategic location on the northwest coast of Spain, the site has been fortified for more than 2,000 years by many different groups (including Celtics, Visigoths and Romans) and has suffered many naval attacks over the centuries. Although there isn't much left in the interior of the fort, three kilometers of walls connect the three main towers, and are armed with many cannons. The Torre del Reloj houses the giant bell that was rung whenever ships were spotted approaching the shore.

Fortaleza de Monterreal

9. Castillo de la Mota (Medina del Campo, near Valladolid) - The Castillo de la Mota, located in Medina del Campo (56 km south of Valladolid), has the look of a classic castle. Built on an elevated hill (a mota), it dominates the small village that surrounds it. This setup is reminiscent of how much of Spain was during medieval times when the economy was based on the feudal system. The Lord of the Manor, el Don, would rent out his land to landless serfs who would pay the Lord with a substantial portion of the crops that they grew to support their family. If bandits attacked the village, the Lord would provide protection within the castle walls, and the villagers were expected to help defend the castle. The castle has a trapezoidal floor plan with four towers and a square courtyard in the middle. A dry moat surrounds the castle, which could only be accessed via a drawbridge when the moat was full. Unfortunately, we got there too late to go on the tour, so we only got to see a limited amount of the castle. We did get to enter the large chapel and walk around the impressive ramparts.

Castillo de la Mota

The castle chapel

8. Castillo de Consuegra - Consuegra is a town smack dab in the middle of La Mancha - Spain's interior plains where the adventures of Don Quijote took place. The castle occupies a spot on top of the hill that looks out over La Mancha, which today is covered in farmland. Along the ridge of the hill, visitors can explore one of the seven old fashioned windmills that were used to grind grain for generations. It now serves as a gift shop where you can purchase a ticket to explore its interior. The castle, which is over 800 years old, was built by the Order of San Juan de Jerusalen over the remains of Muslim castle that was conquered by Christian soldiers during the long religious war for control of the peninsula. The castle, which has gone through many reformations over the centuries, has been restored to appear as it did during its heyday in the 15th century. The many rooms include living quarters, a chapel, an armory, a narrow staircase leading down to the dungeon, and of course many ramparts along the exterior to defend the castle from attack.

Castillo de Consuegra

Consuegra Castle bed chamber

7. Alcazaba de Malaga - Malaga is a large city on the southern shores of Spain. The Alcazaba was constructed during the Islamic Era under the rule of the Al-Andalus. The current fortress was built in the 11th century along a ridge of a large hill that looks out over the city and the Mediterranean Sea. The ridge was previously occupied by the Phoenicians circa 600 BC. Excavations of the hill have also uncovered a Roman Era theater that was built into the western slope of the hill in the first century AD. The fortress comprises two walled enclosures (one within the other). The inner enclosure encompasses the hills summit and encloses the palaces within its gates. The whole structure can be accessed by climbing a series of stairs and ramps that climb the hill, passing through various gates with beautiful views of the city.

Alcazaba de Malaga

Roman Era theater

6. Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos (Córdoba) - Cordoba was the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate in Spain during the Middle Ages. During that time, it was probably the most academically advanced city in Europe. "Alcazar" is the Romanized translation of the Arabic word for "The Palace." The Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos (Palace of the Christian Kings) is located near the banks of the Guadalquivir River near the famous Mosque-Cathedral - site of the principal Islamic mosque in Spain. When the Umayyad Caliphate in Damascus fell to the rival Abbasid Caliphate, the surviving monarch, Abd ar-Rahman I, fled to Cordoba. Soon after, he began construction of the Alcazar, which became the official residence of the Al-Andalus. The Christians conquered the city in 1236, and in 1328 King Alfonso XI began construction of the current palace on the site of the old fortress, incorporating many of its structures. The castle got its name from the Christian Monarchs, Fernando and Isabel, who used the fortress for one of the first permanent tribunals of the Spanish Inquisition. The magnificent palace is perhaps surpassed by the immaculate gardens that surround it. The complex was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos

The Alcazar Gardens

5. Castillo de Coca (near Segovia) - Built for Don Alonso de Fonseca, the archbishop of Sevilla, during the 15th century, the Castillo de Coca (62 km NW of Segovia) is one of the best examples of Spanish Mudejar style - combining elements of Islamic styles with Flamboyant Gothic. The 15th century castle was attacked during the Revolt of the Comuneros in 1521. Over the years, the castle fell into disrepair until it was declared a national monument in 1926. However, full scale repairs to the castle weren't done until 1954-1958. Upon its completion, a Forestry School was opened within the castle. It was also partially opened to tourism, including: the Chapel, Armory, Room of Secrets, the Dungeon, and the Central keep. One of the coolest things about Castillo de Coca is that you are able to explore the castle on your own - discovering all the nooks and crannies like kids do when exploring a vacated house. Even though it doesn't have some of the historical significance of many of the other castles on this list, it is a classic medieval castle, and looks really cool.

Castillo de Coca

Castle moat

Exploring the ramparts

4.  Castillo de Manzanares el Real (north of Madrid) - El Castillo de Manzanares is located at the foot of the Guadarrama Mountains along the Manzanares River (52 km. north of Madrid). This 15th century castle was the primary residence of the Mendoza family and is one of the best preserved castles from the era. The quadrangular castle was constructed completely of granite and has the look of a classical castle, with circular towers at each corner. A restoration of the grounds surrounding the castle only used plants and materials that reflect aspects of 15th century life, including the Garden of the Senses - devoted to growing medicinal and industrial plants of the era. There is also a garden maze and an arena where jousts and other medieval activities can be recreated. In 1961, it was one of the castles used in filming the movie El Cid - the most famous warrior in Spanish history. The castle houses a museum on Castles of Spain, including a huge collection of tapestries.

Castillo de Manzanares el Real

Dining Hall

One of the amazing tapestries

3. Real Alcazar de Sevilla - The Royal Alcazar of Sevilla is a walled palace that was constructed on the site of the ancient Islamic-era citadel in the 10th century. It was expanded into a palace complex by the Abbadid Dynasty in the 11th century, followed by the Almohads in the 12th and 13th centuries. When the city was conquered by the Castilians in 1248, many of the palaces and gardens in the complex were rebuilt or replaced, retaining the Mudejar style, but adding sections with Gothic and Renaissance styles. The Alcazar was used as a set in the filming of the 1962 Hollywood blockbuster Lawrence of Arabia. The Alcazar is still a working palace, and the royal family occupies the upper stories whenever they are in town. The castle was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987 and is administered by the Patrimonia Nacional.

Real Alcazar de Sevilla

One of the many ornately carved Palace entrances

2. Alcazar de Segovia -  The Alcazar of Segovia is the epitome of a medieval castle. Built on a stone peninsula overlooking the confluence of the Eresma and Clamores rivers, it was perhaps the most impregnable castle of its era. Secret passages below the castle lead down to the river below allowing access to fresh water as needed. The castle was built in the 12th century A.D. and was the home to 22 kings, but its most famous occupant was Isabel of Castile - the queen who with her husband Fernando would unite the peninsula (except Portugal) into one of the first countries of modern Europe. After the castle was gutted by fire in 1862, it was restored to its 15th century glory and converted into a museum and National Archive. The Homage Tower once housed the famous treasure of the Crown of Castile, which was used to fund the voyages of Christopher Columbus. In modern times, the castle served as one of the models for Walt Disney's Cinderella Castle at Disneyland. UNESCO declared the castle a World Heritage Site in 1985.

Alcazar de Segovia (2008 study abroad group)

Main Tower of Segovia's Alcazar

Throne Room

1. The Alhambra (Granada) - If there were a 7 Wonders of Spain list, the Alhambra would most likely take the first spot. In 1238, with the "Reconquest" of Spain by the Christians in full bloom, Abdallah Ibn al-Ahmar decided to strengthen the defenses of Granada by building a fortified palace on Sabika Hill. During the reign of the Nasrid Dynasty, the Alhambra was transformed into a palatine city, complete with aqueducts that supplied the mountain top with an adequate supply of fresh water. Over the course of the next 250 years, the caliphs continually added to the complex, building new palaces and converting the older ones into ornate governmental buildings or housing for other important individuals. As the other Islamic strongholds of Andalucía fell to the Christian monarchs, Granada became the last stronghold of the Islamic forces in Europe. In December of 1491, the aptly named Catholic monarchs, Fernando and Isabel, marched into Granada accompanied by an army of overwhelming numbers. Rather than fight a bloody war, Muhammad XII of Granada capitulated in January of 1492, allowing the Alhambra to be spared a brutal attack. Upon the exodus of the Islamic forces, Fernando and Isabel took possession of the citadel. Their grandson, Carlos V, built his own palace on the summit - a cubed building with a circular courtyard which stands out due to its incongruity with the Moorish architecture which dominates the remainder of the hill. The Alhambra was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Although some of the ancient structures have long since been replaced, the complex currently contains: the Alcazaba (fortress), a fortified wall with 13 defensive towers, the Palace of Charles V, Comares Palace, the Palace of the Lions, Partal Palace, the Palace of Abencerrajes, the Palace of the Convent of San Francisco, Generalife Palace, and numerous plazas, gates, towers and gardens. The geometrically themed artwork on the walls, which was carved or painted by hand, is absolutely exquisite.

Wide view of the Alhambra complex

The Generalife Palace fountain

Inner view of a palatial dome