Gibralfaro Castle

Gibralfaro Castle crowns the hill above Málaga and gives the finest panorama of the city. The name comes from the Arabic Jabal Faruk, which means the Mount of the Lighthouse, and it points to an older beacon that stood on the hilltop, possibly of Phoenician origin. The fortress seen today was built in the fourteenth century by Yusuf I, the Nasrid ruler of Granada, who strengthened the hill above the earlier Alcazaba to protect the port and the city. It was one of the key defences of the kingdom of Granada on the Mediterranean coast.

The castle and the Alcazaba are linked by the Coracha, a double wall that runs down the hillside and allowed troops to move between the two fortresses under cover. Together they formed a single defensive system, with the lower Alcazaba serving as a palace-fortress and Gibralfaro as the strong garrison point at the top. In 1487, during the Catholic Monarchs' campaign to conquer the city, the defenders in Gibralfaro held out for months under siege, until hunger forced them to surrender. After the conquest, the fortress continued to be used by the Spanish crown for centuries.

Visitors walk along the top of the ramparts and between the towers, with fine views in all directions. Below lie the roofs of the old town, the cathedral and the Alcazaba, the harbour with its cruise ships and the curve of the bullring at La Malagueta, with the Mediterranean beyond. The stone walls, battlements and the interior courtyard give a feel for the garrison life, and a small exhibition in the old powder store and former barracks explains the history of the fortress. There is a hint of the military past in the thick walls and narrow stairs.

The climb is part of the experience. A footpath leads up from the old town through woods and takes about twenty minutes, steep in places, and it gives views along the way. Buses also run to the castle for those who prefer not to walk. A Parador hotel stands beside the castle, and its terrace is a good place for a drink with a view.

It suits history lovers, photographers and anyone who enjoys a city view. The late afternoon and sunset offer the best light, and the site can be combined with a visit to the Alcazaba, the Roman Theatre and the Picasso Museum Málaga. Comfortable shoes are essential.