Before you get tickets for the Alcazar it is interesting to know a short history of the Alcazar.
With the semblance of a fortress, the Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs has remained in the history of Cordoba city for several thousands of years, from the original port and river border, which the Romans had here until the flooding of the river destroyed it.
Sometime later a fortress was built in this same spot to defend the Roman bridge as well as the river port that was located here.
The Alcazar in Imperial Roman times
Julius Caesar came to Cordoba on two occasions, the first in 65 BC. Inside the Alcazar, we can read a martial poem from the 1st century, dedicated to the banana tree that Gaius Julius Caesar planted in Baetica, the capital of which was Corduba
“IN TARTESSIAN LANDS THERE IS A CELEBRATED HOUSE
THERE WHERE THE CORDOBA LOOKS IN THE PLACID
IN THE MIDDLE AND EMBRACING THE WHOLE HOUSE
RISES THE THICK-HAIRED CESAR PLANE TREE
WHICH THE HAPPY RIGHT HAND OF THE UNDEFEATED HOST PLANTED
ITS TRUNK BEGINNING TO GROW FROM HIS HAND
O TREE OF THE GREAT CAESAR, O BELOVED OF THE GODS
FEAR NEITHER IRON NOR SACRILEGIOUS FIRE. MARTIAL.”
Inside we can also find some of the most important mosaics which have been discovered in the city.
Umayyad Alcazar.
When the Muslims arrived in Cordoba, their Andalusian Alcazar was built on this same site, occupying a large part of what is now the esplanade that surrounds the Alcazar. It was even connected to the Aljama Mosque so that the emir could go to perform his prayers without having to step on the street, we can still see the marks of the pillars of this “säbät” or elevated passageway in Torrijos Street, and the remains of its baths, which are still preserved and can be visited by tourists.
With the Caliphate and the subsequent transfer of the Caliph’s court to Medina Azahara, the Alcazar lost its importance, but with the fall of the Caliphate of Cordoba it regained significance, once again becoming a royal residence.
Alcazar in the times of the Castilian Kings
After the Castilian conquerors, the area occupied by the ancient Alcazar of Al-Andalus was distributed among King Ferdinand III, the bishop Lope de Fitero, some nobles, and the Order of Calatrava.
The last monarchs to reside in the Alcazar were the Catholic Monarchs, who carried out several reforms, and it was the headquarters from which the conquest of the Nasrid kingdom of Granada was directed.
One of the most important events was that Isabella the Catholic gave birth in the Alcazar on 29th June 1482 to the future Queen of Portugal, Maria of Aragon. The gardens were damaged because Isabella ordered the Albolafia waterwheel to be stopped. In the Alcazar, Christopher Columbus explained his project to the Catholic Monarchs, which was supported by the Queen, who judged it appropriate to submit Columbus’ plans to a commission of experts, as had happened in Portugal.
Headquarters of the Inquisition and municipal prison.
This enclosure became dark and murky when it was ceded by the Christian Monarchs to the Tribunal of the Holy Inquisition, becoming the headquarters of the Holy Office. As a result of the new needs, the inner part of the fortress was gradually adapted to cells.
This was the case until 1812, when, with the French conquest, it became a municipal jail and remained in use until 1941.
Recent restoration work.
In 2014, 2015 and 2016 various restorations were undertaken in the interior, which consisted of recovering spaces to make them visible as well as the recovery of archaeological remains and the installation of lifts to improve accessibility, restorations which are still being carried out.
Between September 2019 and March 2020, the Inquisition tower was restored, in the lack of a project for its museumization. In January 2022, new works began on the south wall for the future access to the Alcazar through the Baroque Gate, the original gate of the complex, as well as on the western wall to improve accessibility.
How to get tickets for the Alcazar.
There are various methods of getting tickets for the Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs in Cordoba.
First of all, we should point out that you can get your tickets online at the Cordoba museums page which we leave here.
You can also get your tickets at the kiosk in front of the entrance door of the Alcazar in the square.
You can also get your ticket from the ticket vending machines in the same place.
But remember that if you want to get your ticket in an easy and simple way and enjoy a wonderful, guided tour experience you can also book it with us, click here.
Or just contact us on 957391215 or send us an email to info@eventourcordoba.es and book one of our specialized tours. Book now!
