CORRAL DE CARBÓN
Corral de Carbón: oldest Arabic monument in Spain - spectacular doorway and simple courtyard - Calle Reyes Católicos
The Corral de Carbon is located on Calle Reyes Católicos and is the oldest monument from Arab times in Spain. It consists of a spectacular doorway (see photo) with a contrastingly simple interior courtyard. It now belongs to the Junta de Andalucía and contains shops and offices. It is worth a quick visit.
The Corral de Carbón was built in 1336 by Yussuf I. It was originally a corn exchange and store in Arab times, and merchants and carters would stay here. After the Christian conquest, the Catholic Monarchs allowed one of their servants to live here and when he died without heirs, it was sold by public auction. By now it was called the Corral de Carbón as coal merchants would stay here, and their coal weighed nearby. It was also used as a theatre at the beginning of the 16th century.