Alcázar

An alcázar (pronunciation: /ˈæl kəˌzɑːr/) is a type of Moorish castle or palace in Spain and Portugal built during Muslim rule, mostly between the 8th and 15th centuries. Many cities in Spain have an alcázar. Palaces built in the Moorish style after the expulsion of the Moors from Spain are often referred to as alcazars as well.

Terminology

The Spanish word alcázar (pronounced: [alˈkaθar]) derives from the Arabic word القصر (trans. al-qasr) meaning "fort, castle or palace". This Arabic word is possibly in turn derived from the Latin word castrum, meaning an army camp or fort.. Similar words exist in Galician (alcázar, pronounced: [alˈkaθaɾ]), Portuguese (alcácer, pronounced: [ɐɫˈkasɛɾ]), and Catalan (alcàsser, pronounced: [əɫˈkasər]).

Spain also has Moorish citadels known as alcazabas. However, not all castles in Spain are called alcázar: the majority are called castillo. Nor was every alcazar or alcazaba in Iberia built by the Moors: many castles with these names were built after the Moors had withdrawn from the Iberian Peninsula.

Alcázar of Jerez de la Frontera

The Alcazar of Jerez de la Frontera is a former Moorish fortress, now housing a park, in Jerez de la Frontera, Andalusia, Spain. It was declared Bien de Interés Cultural in 1931.

A first fortress was probably built in the 11th century, when Jerez was part of the petty kingdom of the taifa of Arcos de la Frontera, on a site settled since prehistoric times in the south-eastern corner of the city. In the 12th century, a new structure was erected to be used as both residence and fortress by the Almohad rulers of southern Spain. Later, after the Reconquista of Andalusia, it was the seat of the first Christian mayors.

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