The
Alhambra is a palace, fortress and a feast of Moorish
architecture. To squeeze some culture into your break on
Spain’s coast get up to Granada where you will be rewarded
with exotic and lavish gardens and an exquisitely decorated palace.
One
of Spain’s 42 UNESCO heritage sites, the Alhambra has a rich history of
occupants including both Arabs and Christians (not together obviously). It
consists of a palace with functional areas, living rooms and a harem, the main
fortress and a residential area for subordinates. It was built perched on a
hilltop and different parts seem scattered about and connected by courtyards.
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| Alhambra, Granada, Spain |
History
The
complex was constructed as a fortress initially, in the mid fourteenth century,
by the Arab rulers of the Emirate of Granada. It is situated on the top of a
hill West of Granada with a splendid view across the city. A century or so
after initial construction some portions of the fortress were used by Christian
rulers. The Palace of Charles V was built within the existing structure of the
fortress. Over the following centuries the complex fell into disrepair and it
was rediscovered in the nineteenth century when restorative work began.
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| Tile, Alhambra, Granada, Spain |
Design
The
word Alhambra means ‘red’ and the palace was so-named on account of the red
clay that it was built from. The Alhambra is home to some of Spain’s most
famous and interesting Islamic architecture. The architects were clearly
fixated with covering every space available with intricate decoration. Barely a
panel inside the palace is not decorated somehow. Many of the detailed archways
have little to do with supporting the structure, but simply exist as
decoration. Everywhere you turn surfaces are covered with colourful ceramics,
plasterwork and woodcarvings.
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| Putting the detailed architecture into perspective, Alhambra, Spain |
Features
The
courtyards between different areas of the complex are each unique. The Courtyard
of Myrtles frames a large pool of water. The pool kept the palace cool during
hot weather but was also a symbol of power when water was in short supply. The
Courtyard of Lions is a smaller courtyard flanked in coloured tiles and marble
pillars. The centrepiece is the Fountain of Lions, which features 12 lions
supporting a large basin and each hour a different lion spouts water from its
mouth.
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| Court of Lions, Alhambra, Spain |
The
oldest part of the fortress was built nearest a steep edge of the hillside and
parts of exterior walls and a tower are all that remains of this area. It is
worth exploring though as it offers an amazing view across modern day Granada.
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| View over Granada from the Alhambra, Spain |
The
Alhambra is in Granada and about 60 kilometres north of Motril on the South
coast (which is to the East of Malaga). Have you been?
