alcázar

alt=The Alcázar of Segovia, which dates back to the early 12th century, is one of the most famous medieval castles in the world and one of the most visited monuments in Spain.|thumb|The Alcázar of Segovia, which dates back to the early 12th century, is one of the most famous medieval castles in the world and one of the most visited monuments in Spain thumb|A view of the , a Sahn|ṣaḥn within the [[Alcázar of Seville]]

An alcázar (from ; see below) is a type of Islamic castle or palace in Spain built during Muslim rule between the 8th and 15th centuries. They functioned as homes and regional capitals for governmental figures throughout the Umayyad caliphate and later for Christian rulers following the Iberian Reconquista. The term alcázar is also used for many medieval castles built by Christians on earlier Roman, Visigothic or Islamic fortifications and is frequently used as a synonym for castillo or castle. In Latin America there are also several colonial palaces called alcázars.