Alhambra

Alhambra is one of Spain's major tourist attractions, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the inspiration for countless songs and stories.

The Alhambra is a magnificent palace, fortress, and garden complex, recognized as the most spectacular example of Moorish architecture in Spain and one of the most renowned in the world.

The vast palace compound developed gradually through additions and modifications made during both the Muslim and Christian periods.

It all started with a small fortress built in the ninth century on the remains of Roman fortifications.

Most of the structures we see today were built during the Nasrid dynasty, which ruled the Emirate of Granada for over two centuries.

Alhambra: Sunlight illuminates the intricate details within a palace, showcasing moorish architecture and mesmerizing patterns
Credit: ID 342685315 ©Shootdiem | Dreamstime.com

Initially, a military fortification was established on the highest part of the hill to defend the zone.

In the mid-13th century, the Nasrids used the ruins of the old fortress to build a palace and the surrounding walls.

A century later, with the addition of several buildings and gardens, the site was converted into a Moorish royal palace.

Alhambra: Gardens of the Partal Palace
Credit: ID 69416807 ©Jenifoto406 | Dreamstime.com

After the conclusion of the Christian Reconquista in 1492, the location became the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella.

Christopher Columbus received royal endorsement for his expedition here.

The most significant extension during the Christian period was the palace commissioned by Emperor Charles the Fifth in 1527.

Conceived in a contemporary Renaissance style, the building was designed by Pedro Machuca, an architect who had trained under Michelangelo in Rome.

After falling into disrepair for centuries, Alhambra was rediscovered by European Romantic travelers, poets, and writers at the beginning of the nineteenth century.

The most influential was Washington Irving, whose "Tales of the Alhambra" brought international attention to the site.

It became a national property in 1868 following the Glorious Revolution.

The entire Alhambra complex covers an area of over 142,000 square meters.

It comprises a number of earlier and later Moorish palaces as well as Christian-era developments enclosed by a fortified wall.

Here are some of its most famous structures:

The Alcazaba is the oldest part of the site. Located in the highest area, it was the centerpiece of a system of fortifications that protected the territory.

The Alcazaba

The royal complex built during the Nasrid dynasty consists of three main palaces: the Mexuar, the Comares Palace, and the Palace of the Lions.

Mexuar Palace
Credit: ID 103054813 ©Milosk50 | Dreamstime.com

The Palace of the Lions is one of the most famous palaces in Islamic architecture and exemplifies the apogee of Moorish architecture.

Palace of the Lions
Credit: ID 25880351 ©Sigtor | Dreamstime.com

The Generalife, with terraced gardens and fountains, was the palace used by the Islamic Monarchs as a Summer resting place.

Although never finished, the Palace of Charles the Fifth is a fine example of the High Renaissance style.

The Alhambra is situated in a place of rare natural beauty. Surrounded by mountains and rivers, Arabic poets compared Granada to a crown, with the jewel of the Alhambra standing out.

The Garden of Paradise is a lush orchard of exotic plants and greenery that adorns the Generalife palace.

Alhambra at sunset

Another distinct feature is the dense wood of English elms brought there in 1812 by the Duke of Wellington during the Peninsular War.

Often described as "a pearl set in emeralds," Alhambra is the only Palace Complex of the Moorish era that has been fully preserved.