Alcázar

At the highest point in the city, looms the foreboding Alcázar. Abd ar-Rahman III raised an al-qasr here in the 10th century, which was thereafter altered by the Christians. Alonso Covarrubias and Herrera rebuilt it as a royal residence for Carlos I, but the court moved to Madrid and the fortress became a white elephant, eventually becoming the Academia de la Infantería (Military Academy).

The Alcázar was largely destroyed during the siege of Franco's forces in 1936 but Franco had it rebuilt and turned into a military museum. At the time of research the museum was closed for major renovations, with no completion date available.