It was used both for calling the faithful to prayer (the traditional function of a minaret) and as an observatory.

Torre del Oro

The tower is 180.5 metres (592 ft) tall and has 40 floors. It is an office building, with the entrance to the tower located off Odiel street.

the Giralda bell tower

Seville, famous for its flamenco dancing and architectural designs, is the largest city in Southern Spain. It was said to have been built by Hercules himself and its fascinating history makes it one of Spain’s most intriguing places to visit.

Almohade caliphs

: a Spanish fortress or palace.

Plaza Virgen de los Reyes

An alcázar (see below) is a type of Moorish castle or palace in Spain and Portugal built during Muslim rule although the term is also used for many medieval castles built by Christians on earlier Roman, Visigothic or Moorish fortifications. Most of the alcázars were built between the 8th and 15th centuries.

The Alhambra was begun in the mid-thirteenth-century under Muhammad ibn al Ahmar, Emir of Granada, to serve as the palace and fortress complex of the Moorish Nasrid dynasty. The Emirate of Granada was the last Muslim dynasty on the Iberian Peninsula to capitulate in the Catholic Reconquista, in 1492. …

Known as the Royal Alcazar, Seville’s Royal Palace was originally a Moorish fort built in the 10th century by the first Caliph of Andalucía. The construction of the current Royal Alcázar began in the 14th century.

alcázar

1. ahl. – kah. – sahr.
2. al. – ka. – saɾ
3. al. – cá – zar.

1a : the official residence of a chief of state (such as a monarch or a president) b chiefly British : the official residence of an archbishop or bishop. 2a : a large stately house. b : a large public building. c : a highly decorated place for public amusement or refreshment a movie palace.

Nicknames and demonyms. Let’s get this out of the way immediately. The correct demonym for a local is a Tucsonan. Some people are inclined to say Tucsonian, but they’d be wrong. The Old Pueblo is Tucson’s unique nickname and you’ll see it used everywhere.

The Spanish name of the city, Tucsón [tukˈson], is derived from the O’odham Cuk Ṣon [tʃʊk ʂɔːn], meaning “(at the) base of the black [hill]”, a reference to a basalt-covered hill now known as Sentinel Peak. Tucson is sometimes referred to as “The Old Pueblo”.

“The name of the city of Tucson derives from that given to Sentinel Mountain by [Tohono O’odham] Indians, Ts-iuk-shan, referring to the fact that the base of the mountain is darker than its summit. Hodge also says the Tu-uk-so-on means “black base.”…. Spanish pronunciation yielded Tuqui Son or the current Tucson.”

Unfortunately, South Tucson is one of the riskiest places in Arizona, both for property crime, and, unfortunately, violent crime. With rates of violent crimes coming in at four times the national average, South Tucson is a very dangerous place to visit.

Famous for its dramatic beauty, the Sonoran Desert covers this region with spectacular cacti – including the giant saguaro, a symbol of the American Southwest. But don’t be fooled by the term “desert” because mountain ranges in all directions offer scenic drives, and even snow skiing.