Before entering the grandeur and elegance of the Alhambra, in Granada, Spain, with its exquisite Moorish architecture, it is a good idea to visit the fortress Alcazaba, on the western side of the Alhambra. Ironically, not only was this 9th century stronghold a symbol of the start of the Moorish occupation of Spain, but the flag raised on the 25 metre Torre de la Vela, January 2nd, 1492 signified the end, when Ferdinand and Isabella banished the Islamic people from Granada. The Alcazaba suffered damage over the centuries, and was rebuilt by different dynasties. In the 13th century Mohammed III used it as a private residence. Today, climbing the towers or walking along the ramparts should stir the imagination with visions of past battles, and the view, from Torre de la Vela, of the Granada countryside with the Sierra Nevada mountains in the distance is indescribable.
During the Moorish reign the Alcazaba and the... (... more information below the photos)
La Alhambra Granada Andalusia Spain Standing solid on its narrow plateau fortified on every side, La Alhambra is a monumental complex overlooking the city of Granada in the Andalusia region of Spain. |
La Alhambra Architecture Granada Spain A feast for the eyes - intricate carvings on the archways leading through the Sala de la Barca to the north portico are fine examples of Islamic art and architecture at La Alhambra, Granada, Spain. |
Famous Architecture Alhambra City Of Granada Andalusia Spain Finely detailed columns within the Chamber of the Lions at Alhambra Palace are among the most famous pieces of architecture in the city of Granada, Andalusia, Spain. |
Details Archway Spandrels Hall Boat Royal House Alhambra Granada Andalusia Spain Intricate and elaborate details of the archway and spandrels are found at one of the entrances of the Hall of the Boat in The Royal House of The Alhambra, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the City of Granada in Andalusia, Spain. |
Exterior View Alhambra Dusk Granada Andalusia Spain The Alhambra (La Alhambra) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the City of Granada and the exterior is lit up at dusk to show off the Moorish palace and fortress in all its architectural wonder. It was built in the 14th century and is still standing today. |
Palacio Del Partal La Alhambra City Of Granada Andalusia Spain The still pool reflects the beautiful architecture of the Palacio del Partal and surrounding palm trees on it's surface, situated in the grounds of La Alhambra in the city of Granada, Andalusia, Spain. |
Alhambra Sierra Nevada Mountains City Of Granada Andalusia Spain The Alhambra, a fabulous example of a Moorish citadel and palace, with the Sierra Nevada mountains in the background. This view can be seen from the Mirador de San Nicolas in Albayzin, City of Granada, Andalusia, Spain. |
Tower Of The Captain Window Alhambra Granada Towers and walls surround the Alhambra of Granada, solid walls such as those of the Tower of the Captain, with perhaps only a window or two were designed to keep the inhabitants safe. |
Facade Palace Charles V The Alhambra Granada Andalusia Spain The Facade of the Palace of Charles V stands out as a huge and towering stone structure at the Alhambra in the city and province of Granada, Andalusia, Spain. This palace was built at the Alhambra after the Christians conquered the Moors. |
Church Of Saint Mary La Alhambra City Of Granada Andalusia Spain The Church of Saint Mary, or Iglesia del Santa Maria de la Alhambra, in the city of Granada, Andulusia in Spain was built on the ruins of the Royal Mosque of the Alhambra. |
Red Castle La Alhambra City Of Granada Andalusia Spain The Red Castle or Calat Alhambra, in Granada, Andalusia in Spain, as seen from Mirador de San Nicolas, is one of the most famous fortresses in Europe and probably in the world. |
Travel Destination City Of Granada Andalusia Spain The Alhambra is one of the principal monuments in the city of Granada, and a fine example of moorish architecture. Granada is a popular travel destination in the Andalusia region of Spain. |
Palace Architecture Alhambra Granada Spain While the facade of the Palace of Charles V at the Alhambra in Granada, Spain is in the Renaissance style of architecture, the interior has been mixed with that of the Roman Empire. |
Moorish Architecture La Alhambra Granada Spain The beautiful moorish architecture has been retained throughout the Casa Real (Royal House) at La Alhamba in Granada, Spain and is seen on columns, ceilings, archways, and walls. |
Ginger Cat Picture Palace Steps A ginger and white cat relaxes on the steps outside the Palace of Charles V on the grounds of The Alhambra in the City of Granada in Andalusia, Spain. |
Pebble Path Historical Gardens Generalife Granada A tree lined pebble path takes you through the historical gardens of the Generalife in the City of Granada in Andalusia, Spain. |
Hotel San Francisco Granada Spain The unique architecture of the Hotel San Francisco as seen through a rounded arch in the hedge in the City of Granada in Andalusia, Spain. |
Casa Real Alhambra Court Of The Pool Picture A tour of the Casa Real at the Alhambra brings the visitor to the Court of the Pool which reflects the image of the stunning Moorish architecture on its surface. |
Palace Of Charles V Architecture La Alhambra Granada Also known as Palacio de Carlos V, the Palace of Charles V which is built in a classic renaissance style of architecture, houses two museums at La Alhambra in the city of Granada, Andalusia, Spain. |
Sala De Abencerrajes La Alhambra Granada Spain Situated in the Royal House (Casa Real), the Sala de Abencerrajes (aka Hall of the Abencerrajes) is famous in legend at La Alhambra, in the city of Granada, Andalusia, Spain. |
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... Alhambra were separated by a ravine, but, after the Reconquista it was filled in to form the Plaza de los Albijes. In 1238, the Nasrid ruler, Ibn al-Ahmar, known also as Mohammed I, saw the potential of the fortress on the plateau, constructed more walls and towers and the Alhambra, (Arabic for 'red castle') was born. Ibn al-Ahmar, who had engineering talent, used the waters of the nearby Darro River, to provide running water for the new palace taking shape inside the walls. The building of the Alhambra continued under the rule of Muhammed II, Yusef I and Mohammed V. The Salon de Embajadores, Hall of the Ambassadors, (1334 -1354) in the Torres de Comares, is the largest room in the Alhambra. The ceiling, made of cedar is designed with crowns, circles and stars. The white, gold and blue inlays depicts the seven Muslim heavens.
There are three Palaces of the Nasrid dynasty (Palacios Nazaries) - the Mexuar, where the state affairs, petitions and administration were carried out. The Golden Room has an lovely Renaissance ceiling. The Comares Palace (Cuarto o Palacio de Comares) was the residence of the reigning king, and the rooms, decorated with Koran inscriptions, leads to the Court of the Myrtles. The dense myrtle bushes line the long sides of the courtyard pool. The Baths (Banos) are also near the Comares Palace. These Baths, similar to the Roman baths, are now decorated in the Christian fashion due to the necessary repairs and restorations since the 15th century. The Palace of the Lions (Palacio de los Leones) is Mohammed V's finest work, finishing what his father, Yusuf I had begun. The Palace of the Lions has a touch of Christian style as Mohammed was friendly with Pedro I (the Cruel One), a Christian king. This palace was both a residence and a ceremonial venue. The rooms and halls lead to the most famous courtyard in the Alhambra - The Patio of the Lions. This courtyard is named for the twelve white marble lions depicting the twelve Zodiac signs, spraying jets of water from their mouths. Originally, each lion represented an hour and alternately spewed water every hour, however, somewhere back in time the 'clock' ceased to work. The twelve-sided basin atop the lions has a poem, by Zamrak, carved into the rim explaining the water system.
Although the Alhambra is opulent in design and architecture the Moors used simple materials in the construction such as wood, stucco and tiles. It was their fine craftsmanship which produced the beautiful results with repeated geometric designs (Arabesque) on walls, which symbolizes infinity, mosaics, stylized vegetal decoration, and the honeycomb design, Mocarabe, used on arches and columns. Water features are everywhere, fountains and pools reflecting the Moorish architecture to its full advantage. After 1492, the Catholic Monarchy made alterations to some of the rooms of the Alhambra, but Charles V (Holy Roman Emperor) decided he wanted a palace, to show his 'Imperial power'. Built close to the Alhambra, Pedro Manchuca, a student of Michelangelo, was commissioned to build this residence. Considered to be the best example of Renaissance architecture, the construction began in 1527. The building is square - 63 metres each side. The circular courtyard inside is huge, with two levels of stone colonnades - suitable for bullfights. It is said Charles V never lived in the palace.
Compared to the elegant beauty of the Alhambra it is not easy to appreciate the Rennaissance style in this setting. In the 18th and 19th century the Alhambra fell into disrepair, and when Napoleon occupied Granada from 1808 to 1812 it was used as barracks for the troops. When they retreated Napoleon intended to blow up the Alhambra but fortunately only two towers were destroyed. In 1870 after years of neglect the Alhambra was declared a national monument, and today it is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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