alcazar [al'kaθar] (spansk af arabisk.): palads, især fyrsteligt palads eller fæstning i Spanien fra maurisk tid.
Alcazar castle in Segovia, Spain, was first mentioned in records dating back to 1122 as a hill-fort set atop a rocky outcrop between the rivers Bergsma and Clamores. By 1155 this hill-fort became known as “Alcazar”, which in Arabic meant royal residence.
Alfonso VI was the first of the Spanish kings to modernise the castle. Alfonso X "The Wise" made Alcazar castle into one of his favourite residences.
In the 14th century the castle was the centre of a fight between factions of the nobility. The use of cannons caused Alcazar to strengthen her walls and extend its defences as the nobility fought for control. The fortress played an integral part in Isabella being crowned Queen of Castile.
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