Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs

The Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos is one of Córdoba’s most important historic buildings and a fine example of late medieval military and palatial architecture. Its construction was commissioned by King Alfonso XI of Castile in 1328 on the ruins of ancient Roman and Visigothic buildings, as well as those of the now-vanished Umayyad fortress.

The complex has an almost square layout, flanked by four solid towers — the Keep, the Tower of the Lions, the Tower of the Inquisition and the Tower of the Dove — which give it its fortified appearance. Inside, the highlights include the halls with groin vaults, the Roman mosaics found in local excavations and, in particular, the extensive gardens and ponds that evoke the Al-Andalus tradition.

Throughout its history, the Alcázar has served many purposes: royal residence, headquarters of the Holy Office, military barracks and, today, a museum and historic site open to the public. Declared a Site of Cultural Interest, it forms part of the historic centre of Córdoba, a World Heritage Site, and stands as a testament to the city’s political and artistic continuity over the centuries.

Price: general admission online €7.16. General admission at the ticket office €7.50. On Thursdays (excluding public holidays), free entry from 6.00 pm during winter opening hours and from 12.00 pm during summer opening hours.
Opening hours: winter (16 September to 15 June): Tuesday to Friday, 8.15 am to 8.15 pm; Saturday, 9.30 am to 5.30 pm; Sundays and public holidays, 8.15 am to 2.15 pm. Summer opening hours (16 June to 15 September): Tuesday to Sunday, 8.15 am to 2.15 pm.
Website: https://alcazardelosreyescristianos.sacatuentrada.es/.