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A kasbah (, also ; , , Maghrebi Arabic: ), also spelled qasbah, qasba, qasaba, or casbah, is a Fortification, most commonly the citadel or fortified quarter of a city.Barnaby Rogerson (2000): Marrakesh, Fez, Rabat, p. 65: "as its purpose, for a kasbah should be the domain of a ruler, be he sultan, governor or just a tribal chieftain. Most of the ancient cities of Morocco retain a large portion of their outer walls, but the kasbah (the government citadel containing ..." (1992). 9783822896327, Taschen. ISBN 9783822896327 It is also equivalent to the term alcazaba in Spanish language (), which is derived from the same Arabic word. (2025). 9780195309911, Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195309911 By extension, the term can also refer to a medina quarter, particularly in Algeria. In various languages, the Arabic word, or local words Loanword from the Arabic word, can also refer to a settlement, a fort, a watchtower, or a blockhouse.
According to architect and restorer Leopoldo Torres Balbás, the Alcazaba of Málaga is the prototype of military architecture in the Al-Andalus in Al-Andalus, with its double wall and many fortifications. Its only parallel is the castle of Krak des Chevaliers in Syria. Dialnet.es, Fanny de Carranza Sell, La alcazaba de Málaga. Historia a través de su imagen, 2011. ( In Spanish) Examples of other alcazabas in Spain include the Alcazaba of Almería, the Alcazaba of Antequera, the Alcazaba of Badajoz, the Alcazaba of Guadix, the Alcazaba of Mérida, the Castle of Molina de Aragón, the Alcazaba of Alcalá la Real and in the Alcazaba of the Alhambra in Granada. in Morocco]]
In Morocco, the term "kasbah" is also used in predominantly Berbers regions to denote a fortified residence ( tighremt in Berber languages), often built of mudbrick, such as the Telouet Kasbah or the Kasbah Amridil.Ingeborg Lehmann, Rita Henss (2012): Morocco Baedeker Guide, p. 214: "KASBAH A mud-brick castle that serves as a residence for the local Berber tribe is called a kasbah or »tighremt« in Morocco. Some are private mansions, others are even whole fortified villages with many large and small buildings crowded on ..." In southern Tunisia, the term is sometimes applied to a type of fortified granaries (also known as Ksar).
"Most of the qasabas have a circular plan, although some are square. Sometimes they have a band of quartz stones just below the windows or framing the windows – one well preserved example is at the top of Wadi Ain. The remains of a martello tower-like stone structure are just off the dirt track north of Al-Masnah. It appears to be an interesting antecedent of the Asir farmhouse and perhaps closely related to the qasaba. It is in ruins now, but was once a dwelling and is strongly defensive." One account says about a traditional village in Al-Bahah, Saudi Arabia: "Even the road that leads to the village is impressive, and several historical stone and slate towers dot the way. Al-Bahah Province is known as the region of 1001 towers, once built to protect villages, roads and plantations from rivalling tribes. Today, these towers are abandoned, and many of them are partially or completely in ruins." "Marble Village of Dhee Ayn".
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