The
Alhambra, Spanish (A Lambra),
Al-Hamra (Arabic) is a Palace and Fortress Complex located in
Granada, Andalusia, Spain, originally constricted as a small fortress in AD 889
on the remains of Roman fortifications. Renovated and rebuilt in the mid -13th Century by Nasrid emir ben Ahmar of
the Emirate of Granada. who built the
current Palace and walls. It was converted into a Royal Palace in 1333 by Yusuf
I Sultan of Granada.
After the
Conclusion of the Cristian Reconquista in 1492 the site became the Royal Court
of Ferdinand and Isabella, where Cristopher Columbus received Royal Endorsement
for hos Expedition. The Palaces were partially altered in the Renaissance
style.
Alhambra’s last flowering of Islamic palaces were built
for the last Muslim emirs in Spain during the Decline of the Nasrid dynasty,
who were increasingly subject to the Cristian Kings of Castile. Alhambra was
rediscovered following the defeat of Napoleon, who had conducted destruction
of the site.
The
Palace buildings are quadrangular in plan with all the rooms opening
to the central court Column arcades, fountains with running water, and
reflecting pools were used to add to the aesthetic and functional complexity.
In every case, the exterior was left plain and austere. Sun and wind were
freely admitted. Blue, red, and a golden yellow, all somewhat faded through
lapse of time and exposure, are the colors chiefly employed.
The main
reason to visit Granada is to see Alhambra. After short walk in center part of
the city of Granada we (me and 2 my friends both Vasco Valkov – grandpa and grandson
living in Lisboa, Portugal, and bringing me to the Southern Spain by their
private car) took the bus and went to the hill on the top to is Alhambra. We
spend all day long walking around and tries to
miss any one of it’s wonders.
I bought
tickets for Alhambra from Seattle for 3 of us – me Stan, Vasko Senior and Vasko
Junior. We drove around the city, look around the Center and went to Alhambra.
There we spent 6 full hours to walk around in the
Castle and the Gardens. I took many
photos inside and I took some from Internet for the gardens. The best of them are shown in this BlogSpot for Alhambra.
