The word "alcazaba" comes from the Arabic word al-qasbah, which means "urban fortress" or "citadel". An alcazaba is a fortified palace or citadel that's part of a walled town. Alcazabas were primarily used to protect the city and its inhabitants from attack, and were also the main residences of the nobility and sultans. The Alcazaba of Málaga, a palatial fortification built during Muslim-ruled Al-Andalus, is one of the best-preserved alcazabas in Spain.