The Alcazar is the old Moorish palace and fort and is quite near the Cathedral. It was built in the 12th century and is one of the few examples of Almohade architecture in Spain. Today what remains are two gates, the small mosque, the Arab baths, the octagonal tower, and the palace of Doña Blanca. After the Christian reconquest, the Homage Tower was built in the 15th century, and the Villavicencio Palace and oil mill were built in the 18th century.

The Arab Baths are quite interesting because of their architecture. The ceiling has little star windows that let in the light. The Villavicencio Palace was built by Bartolome Fernandez de Villavicencio, who inherited the Alcazar in 1664. His family was one of the most noble and powerful families in Jerez at that time. The palace is a beautiful Baroque structure and on the second floor is the municipal pharmacy from the 19th century.

The most beautiful part of the Alcazar is the sculpture of the three larger than life bronze horses near the garden. The sculpture is wonderful to view. Also the gardens are a big surprise because they were so beautiful, with flowers everywhere in symmetrical plots. There is a little fountain in the shape of a hexagonal star with 8 points. There is another little circular fountain. Many trees and shrubs completed the picture. The garden design is really marvelous.

Beside the Alcazar is the Paseo de la Alameda Vieja, which is a broad esplanade where people like to stroll. What is beautiful are the acacia trees with their violet flowers that ring this esplanade.

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Monday to Saturday: 10-17:30H.

Sunday: 10:00-14:30H.