{"id":25412,"date":"2024-03-15T09:41:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-15T08:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fromplacetoplace.travel\/?p=25412"},"modified":"2024-03-08T07:56:45","modified_gmt":"2024-03-08T06:56:45","slug":"alcazar-of-jerez","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fromplacetoplace.travel\/spain\/andalusia\/jerez-de-la-frontera\/alcazar-of-jerez\/","title":{"rendered":"Alc\u00e1zar de Jerez de la Frontera – the fortress in the middle of the city"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

High, strong fortress walls surround the grounds of the Alc\u00e1zar in Jerez de la Frontera. They are beautifully illuminated in the evening and we really wanted to take a look behind these walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"Alc\u00e1zar<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Alc\u00e1zar is located in the south-east of the city fortifications. With its mighty walls and towers, it was once an important part of the city’s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As early as the 11th century, when Jerez belonged to the kingdom of the Taifa of Arcos de la Frontera, there was a defensive structure on this site. This was replaced by the master builders of the Almohad Caliphate in the 12th century. A fortress was built, which from then on was also used as a residence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the Catholic kings came to power, the first Christian “mayor” moved into the fortress. He had the palace renovated and created further amenities for his life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Alc\u00e1zar<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Alc\u00e1zar is a very impressive building, the size of which only really becomes apparent when you stand inside. It takes a while to walk around the grounds along the outer walls. The almost quadrangular grounds are enclosed by a wall that is around 4000 meters long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We enter the entrance area of the palace building through a rather inconspicuous door, where you can buy tickets. From there you enter the courtyard of the fortress and can first explore the outside grounds. We then return to the palace, which was built in 1664 in the Baroque style. Here you have the opportunity to complete the tour with a visit to the interior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mosque<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I was first drawn to the mosque in the fortress. It is the last of 18 mosques still standing in Jerez today. They were all demolished after the Christian conquest. The mosque in the Alc\u00e1zar has “survived” because it was used as a chapel for many years. The minaret was converted into a bell tower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the middle of a small courtyard is a water fountain where the faithful performed the traditional purification before prayer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am very impressed by the prayer hall with its high domed ceiling. It has a mihrab that indicates the direction to Mecca.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The transformation into a Christian chapel is still clearly visible here. King Alfonso X had two marble plaques installed on which a summary of the hymns can be read.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Kirchenglocke<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Oil mill<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While I am exploring the small typical courtyards around the former mosque, I discover an open door. Curious, I peek inside and see an oil mill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 18th century, the owners had an oil mill built there as part of several renovations to the Alc\u00e1zar complex. The workers poured the washed olives into the wooden hopper. From there they fell onto the round millstone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\u00d6hlm\u00fchle<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The millstone, which was kept in motion by a draft animal, crushed the olives into a paste. This paste was placed on bast mats in a press. At a constant room temperature (there was always a fire burning), the oil liquefied and could escape from the paste. It was collected in a large container and could be used once the impurities had settled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The gardens in the Alc\u00e1zar of Jerez<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We continued our tour of discovery by walking through a rather dreary courtyard. This courtyard was used as an armory in Christian times. This is where the officers trained the ordinary soldiers and where receptions were held on official occasions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The gardens of the Alc\u00e1zar are directly adjacent to the courtyard. You shouldn’t expect pompous gardens here like in many other fortifications. I find these gardens to be very plain and simple. The fountain and the small planted beds are particularly beautiful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n