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Home > Travel Spain > Spain Destinations > Alcala la Real
Alcala la Real
Spain, also known as Kingdom of Spain, is one of the oldest inhabited regions on the planet. It is a country which is located in Southern Europe, and politically organized as a parliamentary monarchy. It is the largest sovereign nation of the three nations that make up the Iberian Peninsula. Administratively, Spain is divided into 50 provinces, grouped into 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities with a high degree of autonomy. The name Spain comes from the Latin name Hispania whose capital is Madrid which is also the largest city of the Country.
Alcala la Real is delightful small town having a population of approximately 21,000 and is located on the N432 between Cordoba and Granada although, technically, it falls within the province of Jaen. The town has an impressive fortress and was a strategic stronghold during medieval times, and subsequently occupied by the Moors in 713 A.D. Thereafter, Alcala was the scene of frequent battles between the Moors and the Christians. This tumultuous period lasted until 1341 when Alfonso XI gained control of the town. The crown established an abbey here which was deemed the headquarters from where to launch a major offensive on Granada.
La Mota Castle is magnificent castle dates back to 727 A.D. when the town was under Muslim rule. It was later expanded. The castle was badly damaged in the 19th century when battles were fought with France and it was thereafter abandoned. The three rows of fortifications are still in evidence, however, and there is a small museum open to the public.
Abbey Church, located within the original city walls, is another of the town's important buildings. It was built on the site of the original Alcala Abbey. It is an extremely imposing building with a 42 meter tower looming above the old part of the city, and said to date back to between 1530 and 1627. The church is a combination of various architectural styles, including Gothic and Renaissance, and the vaults are particularly impressive, being entirely constructed from hued stone.
The Town Hall is housed in an impressive early eighteenth century building, fronted by gracious arcades. The clock tower was added in 1791. There is an identical building opposite the town hall which was built at the same time and now houses shops and offices.
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