The Alhambra is the city fortress and palace built by the monarchs of the dynasty Nazari Kingdom of Granada. It is the symbol of the city, the most visited monument in Spain and the masterpiece of Muslim art in Europe.
It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984. Its name comes from the color of its walls (Al-Hamra in Arabic) that were manufactured with the ground clay itself, hence its reddish color.
The complex, whose visit requires at least three hours, is located on the Sabika hill, near the Darro river. It is mainly comprised of the Generalife gardens, the Nasrid Palaces and Alcazaba, of Arab construction. Christian bill found the palace of Charles V and the church of Santa María, built on the ancient mosque. The Nasrid Palaces are grouped irregularly and the various rooms communicate with each other by courtyards or galleries.
The origins of the Alhambra date back to the ninth century, when he became the Alcazaba used as a shelter. It was in the thirteenth century when the first Nazari monarch, Mohamed I, fixed his royal residence there. His successor, Mohammed II, finished the walled enclosure. In the fourteenth century, with the reigns of Yusuf and Mohammed V, the Alhambra acquire its monumental and precious appearance we know today. Yusuf built the core of the Palace of Comares, with the great projecting tower over the city. The interior space of the Palace housed the throne of the sultan, placed under the cover depicting the concept of the universe of Allah. In addition, this monarch enriched the exhibition with monumental doors, like Weapons (main entrance to the Alhambra) or the The justice.
The Alhambra is one of the most visited monuments in Europe. This, together with the logical restrictions on access for conservation reasons, do not always be easy to get a ticket. To avoid surprises, it is highly advisable to book in advance and know the system of access and visit the monuments.
The Alhambra is one of the most visited monuments in Europe. This, together with the logical restrictions on access for conservation reasons, do not always be easy to get a ticket. To avoid surprises, it is highly advisable to book in advance and know the system of access and visit the monuments.
Mohamed V reformed the Comares Palace, adding the spectacular facade patio Golden Room. He also built the innovative Palace of the Lions, setting aside the model of existing palace so far and creating a new model of quadripartite structure inspired by Oriental models of Islam.
The Alhambra is an unparalleled example of how light and water offer significant decorative effects on the architecture. A careful choice of materials makes ornamentation change according to the incidence of light. The water functions as a mirror reflecting the architecture and decorative elements, contributing to a sense of peace. Furthermore, in combination with light, creates illusory compositions and softens the horizontal architecture, as can be seen in the Patio of the Myrtles.
The Alhambra was abandoned in the eighteenth century. During the French domination part of the fortress was flown to the nineteenth century and repair, restoration and conservation, which still remains is not started.
