Fortress of Loja
Loja formed the last frontier of al-Andalus along with other populations of Western Granada. The walls of the fortess have survived this era and have been declared of cultural interest. They are located, next to the Major Church of the Incarnation. The watch tower is the most representative image of the city.
The neighborhood of La Alcazaba, is the only remaining walled quarter of the old Medina Lawsa Muslim. The access is through a horseshoe arch (old entrance to the fortified area). Note this street that joined the shed from s. XVI prison and the court room of the Cabildo. This neighborhood was home to governors and military and was separated from other districts (Arrabal and Jaufín) of the old Medina Lawsa through a wall of which traces still remain. It is characterized by the winding route of its narrow and steep streets.
Opening hours:
Contact the Department of Tourism of the City of Loja for the visiting hours because they are changing by the month.
September 2015 had the following opening hours:
Tuesday to Friday: from 10:00 a.m. to 02:00 p.m.,
Saturday, Sunday and Holidays from 12:00 p.m. to 02:00 p.m..
Telf .: (0034) 958 323 949/958 321 520/653 873 921
Among the monuments of La Alcazaba are:
- El Patio de Armas with a Moorish cistern, which is the best preserved construction of the fortress. With a capacity of 286 cubic meters of volume, this cistern had a system of skylights through which rain water was filtered and supplied to the population.
- La Torre del Homenaje, or the Reloj (s. IX), Which was the main entrance to the residence of the Arab Alcaides and had to be lifted on several occasions due to the frequent invasions.
- The Caserón Christian Wardens, a building of the s. XVII built by Pedro de Tapia and Doña Clara del Rosal on the foundations of the old Moorish castle (s. XII). It was built as a residence. It now houses the Municipal Historical Museum, with real historical jewels of the city. In the neighborhood of La Alcazaba we can also find the Ochavada Tower, defensive tower named for its octagonal shape.
