Palace of Alhambra, Granada

The Alhambra is a Palace and Fortress complex of the Moorish monarchs of Granada, in southern Spain.

It occupies a hilly terrace on the south-eastern border of the city of Granada and was the residence of the Muslim kings of Granada and their court.

Today, it is a museum exhibiting exquisite Islamic architecture. The terrace or plateau where the Alhambra settles, measures about 740 m (2430 ft) in length by 205 m (674 ft) at its greatest width, extends from W.N.W. to E.S.E., and covers an area of about 142,000 m². It is enclosed by a strongly fortified wall, flanked by thirteen towers. The river Darro, divides the plateau from the Albaicín district of Granada, the Assabica valley, containing the Alhambra Park, on the west and south.

Location

The Alhambra is located in Granada, Spain.

History
There is no reference to the Alhambra as being a residence of kings until the 13th century. The construction of the palaces dates back to the 14th century and is the work of two great kings, Yusuf I and Muhammed V.
The founder of the dynasty, Muhammed Al-Ahmar, began with the restoration of the old fortress. His work was completed by his son Muhammed II, whose immediate successors continued with the repairs. The Alhambra became a Christian court in 1492 when the Catholic Monarchs (Ferdinand and Isabel) conquered the city of Granada.

Later, various structures were built for prominent civilians apart from various military garrisons, a church and a Franciscan monastery.

Emperor Charles V, who spent several months in Granada, began the construction of the Palace which bears his name and made some alterations to the interior buildings.

During 18th century, Alhambra was neglected and was used by anti-social elements. Then the Napoleon's troops converted the palaces into barracks. In 1870, Alhambra was declared as a national monument.

Attractions

Alcazaba (Fortress)
This military fortress was built on the oldest site of the Alhambra and served a purely military purpose as it was situated on the highest part of the hill, watching over the surrounding area.

Palacios Nazaríes (Nasrid Palaces)
This Royal Palace consists of a number of brilliantly designed and decorated function rooms and courtyards that were used by the Muslim rulers for different purposes.

Generalife Gardens
It is the garden of the architect and the area consists of beautiful gardens, fountains and patios where the Moorish leaders had their summer palace built.

Medina (town)
The Medina was created to house craftsmen and to serve the needs of the court. It occupies the largest part of the walled area within the upper Alhambra and still conserves
the ruins of several houses, baths and small workshops on its typical alleys and squares.

Hall of the Embassadors
It is a masterpiece of carpentry with its colossal ceiling depicting the seven heavens of Moslem paradise.

Royal baths
It shows an intimate and sensitive use of light, shape and colour. Singers and musicians would entertain the bathers from the galleries above.

Hall of the Two Sisters
It has a cupola of sculpted stalactites and rich stucco motifs on the walls. It is the most sumptuous and monumental room in the palace.

Court of the Lions
It is the most famous of all the Alhambra. Its pretty marble fountain is guarded by twelve stone lions, and the entire courtyard is encircled by delicate arcades supported on
slender columns. The poem inscribed on the fountain tells how much fiercer the lions would look if they weren't so restrained by their respect for the sultan.

Hall of the Abencerrages
It is named after a powerful Moorish family of which Boabdil's father murdered sixteen princes. The dark stain in the fountain is popularly believed to be their blood.

Partal Gardens
They are relatively recent, having been planted on the site of the sumptuous palace of the Count of Tendilla, first Catholic General of Granada.

Palace of Charles V
The construction was begun in 1526 and interrupted by the Moorish uprising (1568), left incomplete. It is a monolithic imposition on the landscape.