Location:  
The Fortress of the Christian Monarchs is located on the north bank of the river, in the Campo Santo de los Mártires, between the bridge of San Rafael and the Seminary of San Pelagio.

Origin: 
Thanks to the latest historical research, we can affirm that the city of Cordoba had three different fortresses (Visigothic, Andalusian and Christian) as a result of the ideological, functional and urban evolution of the city; all of them located in the south-western corner of the walled enclosure. 
After the Christian conquest, Ferdinand III ordered the Al-Andalus Alcazar to be divided between the church, some military orders, nobles and the crown, which led to the dismantling and burying of a large part of it. 
It was under the rule of Alfonso XI, towards the end of the 14th century, when the transformation and construction of the so-called Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos began. However, its current appearance dates from the reforms carried out by the Town Hall in the mid-20th century. 

Use: 
As its name indicates, its main function has been a military fortress, as it was the temporary residence of several kings, including the Catholic Monarchs, who lived here during the eight years of the campaign against the last Islamic stronghold of Granada. 
In the 16th century, it became the headquarters of the Inquisition until the beginning of the 19th century when it was transformed into a Civil Prison. 
Nowadays, almost the entire building can be visited, and some rooms and part of its gardens are used for local events and presentations, such as civil weddings held in the “Salón de los Mosaicos” (Mosaic Hall).