ETYM From Arabic al the + qacr (in pl.) a castle.
A fortress; also, a royal palace.
(Spanish) palace; castle; citadel, especially that of Toledo.
Any of various Spanish fortresses or palaces built by the Moors.
Any one of several fortified palaces built by the Moors in Spain.
The one in Toledo was defended by the Nationalists against the Republicans for 71 days in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War.