Spanish word

alcazaba

Pronunciation

IPA/alkaˈθaβa/

Meaning

  • feminine nouncitadel

Example

La alcazaba está en la colina.

The citadel is on the hill.

Illustration for alcazaba (citadel)

More examples

Visitamos la alcazaba al atardecer para evitar las multitudes.

We visited the citadel at dusk to avoid the crowds.

Core concept

Stone citadel with curtain walls and multiple towers on a hill.

Common phrases

  • visitar la alcazaba

    visit the citadel

  • horario de la alcazaba

    citadel opening hours

  • precio de la alcazaba

    citadel admission fee

Similar words

castillo: Fortified residence with towers and walls serving as a noble or royal dwelling.
fortaleza: Large, heavily defended military stronghold designed for strategic defense.
ciudadela: Defensible district within a city capable of holding off attackers independently.
muralla: Tall stone wall encircling a town or fortress to protect it from assault.

Definition in Spanish

Fortificación militar histórica con murallas y torres, usada para proteger una ciudad o una posición estratégica.

Word origin

From Arabic al-qaṣbah 'the citadel', the Spanish word names the fortified military quarter that guards a town.

Usage tips

  • Alcazaba refers to a military fortress distinct from an alcázar (palace) or a castillo (private castle), so translating it as 'castle' can imply the wrong residential or royal role.

Other meanings

  • fortnoun

Word lists with this word