The Legacy of Muslim Civilization , Marbella, Guida per visitatori e cosa fare nei dintorni

The Legacy of Muslim Civilization is the stop at Plaza del Castillo in Marbella, where surviving stretches of the old Moorish fortress walls stand within the old town. They date back to around the 10th century, when this part of the coast belonged to Al-Andalus, which makes them among the oldest structures in the city.

The story behind it

Marbella's fortress was raised in the Moorish period, usually dated to around the 10th century, as part of the defences that protected the southern coast of Al-Andalus. Its walls once enclosed the medina, the walled heart of the medieval town, and the lanes of today's old quarter still follow that compact core.

In June 1485 the forces of Ferdinand and Isabella took Marbella, and the fortress passed into Christian hands. It was then adapted for its new rulers and used as a military stronghold. Over the centuries the town pressed in around it, and today only fragments remain, with some sections of wall absorbed into the buildings of the old town.

What to look for

• Look for the surviving stretches of wall and the remaining towers, which show how the medieval defences once ringed the old town.
• Notice how ordinary houses lean against or are built into the old stonework, a sign of how the town grew over its own fortress.
• Compare the different types of masonry and the patched sections, which hint at repairs and changes made over many centuries.
• Pay attention to the narrow lanes around Plaza del Castillo, which still trace the tight layout of the former medina.

Tips for your visit

• Allow 20 to 30 minutes for the walls and the surrounding lanes, longer if you like to photograph the stonework.
• Morning or early evening is best, when the old town is cooler, quieter and the light is soft on the stone.
• Plaza de los Naranjos, the main square of the old town, is a short walk away, so the two combine easily.
• Wear comfortable shoes for the uneven old streets, and check current access conditions for any part you hope to enter.

See it on a quest

Marbella Detective Mystery: Marbella Detective Mystery: Infiltrate a Secret Society. brings you to these walls on foot as one stop of a longer route through the old town. The app tells you about each place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle on the spot. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group.

If you prefer a darker theme, Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows in Marbella is another way to walk the same streets. You reach each place by yourself, hear its story, then work out a puzzle from what is in front of you. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group.

Mobster Mission in Marbella suits those who like a crime theme with their sightseeing. You walk between the stops at your own pace, learn about each place through the app and solve a puzzle at each one, with no guide and no group to join. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group.