[1] The first fortress was probably built in the 11th century, when Jerez was part of the small kingdom of the Taifa of Arcos de la Frontera, on a site settled since prehistoric times in the south-eastern corner of the city.

The alcázar is made up of a grossly quadrangular line of walls, with a perimeter of approximately 4,000 meters (13,000 ft).

After the Christian conquest of the fortress in 1261, it was put under the command of Nuño González de Lara.

The prayer hall, preceded by a small room of ritual ablutions, features a mihrab, indicating the direction of Mecca, and a rib vault with a circular window at the top.

These were mostly built using rammed earth and brick, though there are portions that utilize stone spolia from nearby sites.