Art and culture
Mérida citadel from the Moslem period
A walled fortress of impressive size and beauty commissioned by Abderramán II in the year 835.
- Explore
- Mérida citadel from the Moslem period
Location and Contact:
- Contact person: Consorcio Ciudad Monumental de Mérida
- Tel.:+34 924 00 49 08
- Tel.:+34 924 33 07 22
- Fax: +34 924 00 49 16
- Email: informacion@consorciomerida.org
- Email: difusion@consorciomerida.org
- Website address: www.consorciomerida.org
- Website address: turismomerida.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeridaConsorcioDeLaCiudadMonumental
- Opening times
April-September: 9am - 9pm.
October-March: 9am - 6:30pm.
- Fee
Normal €6, reduced €3, groups €4.
More info: tickets
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A walled fortress of impressive size and beauty commissioned by Abderramán II in the year 835.
This fortress was designed based on Byzantine models. Its purpose was to protect the Moslem governors and subjects from uprisings by the Mérida population, and also dominate passage over the bridge over the Guadiana River.
On your visit, besides contemplating the grandeur of the outside of the fortress, you can see the courtyard inside it, where a well from the times of Al-Andalus is preserved. There are documents on the existence of a mosque above this area and, above that, a watchtower.
An abundance of archaeological and architectural testimonies of the different cultural eras that the city has experienced are also preserved in this walled courtyard: a Roman dam against river water, the base of the gate to the bridge, wall, streets and houses from the Roman period, pillars belonging to some large Visigoth building, a convent of Santiago, a Neo-Gothic doorway, and more. -
- Origin:
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- 9th century
- Construction:
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- Alcazaba
- Art period:
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- Mudejar
- Period in history:
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- Various styles
- 10th century
Gallery:
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