The Alcazaba is the oldest and most beaten down of the Alhambra complex. It is the "red castle" that gives the Alhambra it's name.
It's the part of the complex we saw from our VRBO apartment, and so it offers excellent views of Granada below.
It is believed there was a fort there in Roman times, although the currents structures date from the mid-13th century. It defended the medina (town) of 2,000 Muslims living within the walls.
At the peak of the Alcazaba ("citadel" or "fortress") is the biggest tower, plainly seen from down below in the city.
We climbed the steep tower to have windy views of Granada, and the four flags were flapping in the wind -- Spain, the European Union, Andalusia, and Granada.
In the courtyard below are foundations of various stone huts that the soldiers lived in.
In early January 1492, the Spanish Reconquista was completed (busy year for Spain), and the flags of Aragon and Castile were raised on the tower.
According to legend, as the weak, loser Moorish king Boabdil fled Granada, he looked back and wept. His mom talked smack to him. . ."you weep like a woman for what you couldn't defend like a man." And thus ended the more than 700 years of Muslim rule in Spain.
They left behind the best part of Islam -- the beautiful geometric designs, many courtyards of flowers and fountains, the keyhole arches -- all dazzling.
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