alcázar

An alcázar is a term used in the Iberian Peninsula and the Spanish-speaking world to denote a fortress, palace, or royal residence, especially those with Moorish origins. The word derives from the Arabic al-qasr (القصر), meaning “the palace” or “the fortress,” and entered Castilian during medieval Islamic rule in the Iberian Peninsula.

Historically, alcázares served as fortified urban centers that merged military, administrative, and residential functions. They were usually placed on elevated sites within or near city walls and featured defensive towers, courtyards, and richly decorated interiors that blended Islamic, Mudéjar, and later Gothic or Renaissance elements as ruling dynasties changed. After the Christian Reconquista, many alcázares were retained and repurposed as royal palaces or seats of government.

Notable examples include the Royal Alcázar of Seville, a historic palace complex famed for its Mudéjar architecture and extensive gardens; the Real Alcázar de Córdoba, begun in the 8th century by the Umayyads; and the Alcázar of Segovia and the Alcázar of Toledo, both prominent fortress-palace sites with long royal associations. In various cities, the term remains a toponym indicating historic fortifications or palaces that once dominated the urban landscape.

Today, alcázares are preserved as cultural heritage sites and are popular tourist attractions, reflecting a cross-cultural legacy from Iberia’s medieval periods. See also fortress, palace, and Mudéjar architecture.