The Alcazaba of Loja
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You climb the hill and, suddenly, there it is. The Alcazaba has watched over Loja for a thousand years.
Narration text
Welcome to the Alcazaba of Loja, the historical heart of the city.
From this hilltop, the Andalusi rulers controlled the entire Genil valley. The Nasrids considered it one of the keys of the kingdom: whoever held Loja held the road between Granada and Antequera.
Around you, you can still see the remains of the wall, the cistern and the keep. The stones preserve the imprint of medieval times, when the city was called Medina Lawsa.
In 1486, after a brutal siege, the Catholic Monarchs took the fortress. That day changed the course of the Granada War. The governor Ibrahim Aliatar, Boabdil's father-in-law, defended the city until the very end.
Look at the views: the Genil valley, the southern mountain ranges, the historic centre below. Imagine the bustle of a frontier city, the markets, the calls to prayer.
The Alcazaba is not just a ruin: it is the place where Loja stops being a city and becomes a symbol. Take your time. Everything starts here.
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Discover Loja · cultural audioguide