Alcala la Real, a strategic enclave in the history of Andalusia and declared historical-artistic complexThe city thrills the traveler with its hospitality and understated elegance. Monumental Complex Mota FortressDominating the horizon is the Life on the Frontier Interpretation Centre inside the Church of Santa María la Mayor.
From 713 onwards, the year of Muslim occupation, this enclave experienced significant development, as evidenced by the large number of archaeological remains found, most notably those of the Fortress of La Mota. Given its layout, Alcalá la Real was called al-Qalat (the fortress), hence its current name.
The height of its Andalusian past occurred in the 12th century under the protection of the Banu Said family. By the 13th century, it had passed alternately between Christian and Arab hands, given its strategic location on the frontier. Finally, it was captured by Alfonso XI in 1341, coming under the direct control of the crown, which established a royal abbey there and made it its main stronghold for the conquest of Granada.
It currently has a population of 23.000 inhabitants.
