In the 7th century, the town of Zahara was an outpost of the occupying Muslims. It was a strategic location and the perfect site for a fortress. The hilltop position overlooking the valley gave a great vantage point when looking out for invaders. The Moors, Berbers actually, were a tribe of farmers that originated from North Africa.
The Moorish name was al-Zahar, indicating the presence of orange trees in the area. The British traveler Richard Ford once described Zahara as “a Moorish eagle’s nest.”
After constant fighting between the Christians and Moors over ownership of the town, the town was finally under Christian control in 1407, after the Catholic conquest of the area. In the 18th century the Duke of Arcos built a home in Zahara, conferring a sort of importance to the town.
