The Alhambra: A Palace of Moorish Dreams

Granada is one of the most charming towns in Spain. It is home to the famous Alhambra palace complex. The Alhambra was a palace and fortress which was used by the Moorish monarchs who once ruled in the region. The name has an Arabic origin. In Arabic al-ambra means red and is related to the colour of the material of which the outer walls are built – tapia (rammed earth).

History

The history of the Alhambra began in 889, when it was originally built as a fortress. The Alhambra was turned into a royal palace in the 14th century by Yusuf I, Sultan of Granada and served as the residence of the rulers of the Nasrid dynasty until the return of the Christians in 1492. The magnificent architecture of the Alhambra is mainly due to two Moorish rulers – Yusuf I and Muhammad V. To Yusuf I we owe the Gate of Justice, the baths and some of the towers. His son Mahmud V completed the Lion Hall and a number of other halls.

After the conclusion of the Christian Reconquista in 1492, Alhambra became the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella. It is here where Christopher Columbus received royal endorsement for his expedition. Alternations to the palaces are performed – much of the interior was effaced and the furniture was ruined or removed. In 1526, king Charles V commissioned the construction of a Renaissance-style palace and part of the palace was destroyed. Further damage was cause during the Peninsular War (War of Independence) when in 1812 some of the towers were blown up by the French forces.

An extensive restoration was undertaken in 1828 by the architect José Contreras and endowed by Ferdinand VII in 1830. After the death of Contreras in 1847, his son Rafael continued his work for nearly four decades. Upon Rafael’s death in 1890, he was succeeded by his son, Mariano Contreras Granja (died 1912). Additional restoration and conservation work continued through the 21st century. The Alhambra was one of the first Islamic monuments to become the object of modern scientific study and has been the subject of numerous restorations since the 19th century. It is now one of Spain’s major tourist attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The palace and its gardens

The main entrance of the Alhambra is the Gate of Judgment – a horseshoe archway surmounted by a square tower, which was used by the Moors as an informal court of justice. Architecturally, the Alhambra consists of four parts – the Palace of Charles V, the military fortress Alazaba (the citadel), the Nasrid Palace (a fine example of Moorish architecture) and the Summer Palace Generalife. Between them, like a labyrinth, stretches a garden.

The Alcazaba, or citadel, which is the oldest part; only its massive outer walls, towers, and ramparts are left.

Beyond the Alcazaba is the Nesrid Palace. This is the most beautiful part of the palace complex. There are numerous points of interest there. The first you encounter is the Court of the Myrtles. This court is 43 metres long and 23 metres wide. In the centre is a large reflecting pond set in marble pavement. The greem colour of the pond and the manicured myrtles growing along its edges provide a sharp contrast to the white marble of the surrounding courtyard. Surrounding the Court of Myrtles are the rooms of the Comares Palace. The Facade of Comares, to the west of the courtyard, is an ornamental gateway constructed in the 14th century by Muḥammad V. It was in this area that the sultan customarily held audience with his vassals.

Undoubtedly, the most famous part of the Nesrid Palace is the Court of Lions. It is 35 metres long and 20 metres wide. Surrounding the court is an ornately decorated gallery supported by 124 white marble columns. The colonnade is paved with white marble. In the center of it is the Fountain of the Lions, an alabaster basin supported by the figures of 12 white marble lions, emblems of strength and courage.

The largest room in Alhambra is the Hall of the Ambassadors. It is 11 metres square and is topped by a dome whose centre is 23 metres high. This was the grand reception room, and the throne of the sultan was placed opposite the entrance. The name of the hall comnes from a legend about Boabdil, the last sultan of Granada, who invited the Abencerraje chiefs to a banquet in this room and there massacred them. The ceiling is exquisitely decorated in blue, brown, red, and gold. There is a fountain in the middle of this hall, and the ceiling—a dome honeycombed with tiny cells, all different and said to number 5,000 – is an outstanding example of Moorish stalactite work.

The Generalife palace was constructed in the early 14th century as a summer palace. The complex is centred on picturesque courtyards such as the Court of the Sultana’s Cypress. Terraced gardens, pools, and fountains combine to enchanting effect in the Court of the Irrigation Channel, named for the channel that supplies its water. A theatre within the Generalife is the site of international performances of music and dance.

Entrance and opening times

You can find information about the entrace fees and the opening times of the complex on its official website.

How to reach Alhambra

Line C30 departs from Isabel Católica Square and goes in the direction of the Alhambra. It is the shortest route from the center of Granada to reach the Alhambra.

Line C32 is similar to Line C31 and takes the same amount of time to reach, for example, San Nicolas viewpoint, but it takes longer to return to the center.

The regular tickets costs 1,40 €.

Accommodation in Granada

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