Alcazar of Jerez

Alcazar of Jerez

History

The Alcazar of Jerez is one of the most important monuments of the city. Alcazar's name comes from Arab and means, set of buildings surrounded by walls, which were the political and military power places.

The Alcazar was built in the 12th century, being one of the few examples of Almohads architecture in Spain. During that century, the city was one of the most important cities of Andalusia with 16,000 habitants.

The monument was designated as Spanish Property of Cultural Interest in 1931.

Route

1. City door. It is the main entry to the Alcazar currently. It is the typical Arab fort entry with a bend. Across a big horseshoe arch, the visitants come to a covered space by groined vault.
2. The Mosque. During the Arab age, Jerez had 18 mosques, but right now there is only one, the Alcazar's Mosque. It is a little private oratory, built in the 12th century and it presents the characteristic features of these buildings as: The minaret, tower from which the call is made ​​for prayer; the ablutions' place; prayer room...
3. The oil press. The old oil press was built during the 18th century by Lorenzo Fernandez de Villavicencio, due to, the oil crop was very important in Jerez until the middle of 19th century.
4. Parade ground. It was built in the Christian age and was the place where were trained the army, pass in review to soldiers...
5. The gardens
6. Baths. The baths or Hamman were of private use and are the heirs of the Romans baths  thus have the typical three spaces division:
   - Cold room, transit area before to entry to the wet zone.
   - Warm room. This place was a massage room and the place where the people soaped to themselves. The room have domes and open skylights.
   - Hot room where steam baths were taken. The place had a high temperature due to the proximity of the cauldron and the heating system in the subsoil.
7. Countryside's door. It is the second door of the Alcazar and was the door which communicated the fort with outside of the city. Due to this, the door has a bigger defensive's system.
8. The Villavicencio Palace. Bartolomé de Villavicencio who was one of the most powerful nobles of the city, obtained the Alcazar by inheritance in 1664 and made a number of reforms. One of these was the construction of this baroque palace which was built on the ancient Arab palace. The lounges conserve their original decoration. In the second floor, it is exposed the ancient municipal pharmacy of the 19th century. In the palace tower, is located the dark room where can be seen the city as bird's eye view with real moving images and Jerez.
9. Pavilion Quad Doña Blanca. It is located next to the octagonal tower and it is preserved the only Almohad palace of the primitive Alcazar. Originally, it was using as rest and leisure time pavilion and had entrance porch and pool. The building has square plan covered by an octagonal dome with two side alcoves to rest.
10. Octagonal tower. It is the primitive tower of the Arab fort and is located in the south, in the taller place due to the tower had watchtower's use.
11. The Donjon. Rodrigo Ponce de León ordered the construction of this building in 1471. Originally was surrounded by a moat due to the defensive system that the tower had plus as well as dwelling.

Visit

The Alcazar is open every day except: 1st, 6th of January and 25th of December.

Schedules:

• November to February: 9:30 am to 15:00 pm
• March to June: 9:30 am to 18:00 pm
• July to 15th of September: 9:30 am to 20:00pm
• 16th of September to November: 9:30 am to 18:00pm
• Every Saturday and Sunday of the year: 9:30am to 15:00pm
• Especial Holy Week and Horse Fair Schedules: 9:30am to 15:00pm

It is important that the entry will be closed 30 minutes before the close.

Prices:

Tickets to Alcazar: 5€ adult ticket and 1.80€ the reduced tickets.

Tickets to Alcazar + The dark room: 7€ adult ticket and 4.20€ the reduced tickets

*Reduced ticket: Students, retiree, habitants and residents of Jerez.

Group visits:

• The group visits will be one hour approximately and guided tour. Price: 5€ each person.
• Languages: English, German and French.
• The group visit without guides will cost 4€ each person.
• The sessions in the obscure camera will be each 30 minutes and have 20 minutes of duration.
• It is necessary, to the guided visit (only group), get an appointment previously.

Contact and location

Address: Alameda Vieja, s / n

Telephone: 956 149955 - 956 149956

Fax: 956 14 90 44

E-mail: info.visitas.alcazar@aytojerez.es