The fortified palace was built for Alfonso X1 in the early 14th Century. Later, it was enlarged for Fernando 11 and Isabel and the Catholic monarchs held court here during the campaign to recapture Granada from the Moors. The Alcazar was used during the Inquisition and has been a prison. In the building is a royal bathhouse, Roman mosaics and a sarcophagus. The attractive, tranquil terraced gardens contain pools and fountains.
