Alhambra Palace History
The Palace of Alhambra echoes the conquered stories of Spain by the North African Moors.
The civilization had a rich Arabic influence since the 8th century.
The word ‘Alhambra’ originates from an Arabic word meaning “red castle”, the color tone of the towers.
Surrounded by the hills of La Sabina, it looks silver under the starlight and the sun reflects a golden tone.
Built on a plateau with a deep ravine, this structure fortifies the historical city of Granada.
Its unique location is challenging for any enemy invasion.
The Alhambra Palace’s history shows how it later became Granada’s royal house and court in the mid-13th century.
Ibn al-Ahmar, the founder of the Nasrid dynasty, built the castle during his reign.
His contribution to the history of Alhambra in Granada is immense and noteworthy.
The Alhambra Palace has high walls and defensive towers housing two main areas;
– The Alcazaba was the initial Fort complex of the 9th century to give shelter during civil fights.
– The Medina or Palatine City is where the Nasrid Palaces and the remains of the house of nobles are there.
The Alhambra has three palaces:
– the Palace of the Lions
– the Partal Palace, and
– the Comares palace.
The attractions in the historical palace of Alhambra include the Lion’s Fountain, the Baths, the Justice Gate, the Hall of the Boats, etc.
You can see the opulent use of water through aqueducts to decorate the different parts of the palace.
The palace’s interior designs consist of Arabic calligraphies, quotes, poems, and natural patterns.
Orchards, gardens, and water bodies surround an independent Palace of Alhambra monumental complex.
The Generalife was the summer retreat of the royal family, a place of solace for the Grenadine Kings.
It was one of the best-preserved estates of the Nasrid Dynasty.
They built with the idea of creating paradise within the premises of the Alhambra Fort in Spain.
The Catholic monarchs conquered and built the Palace of Carlos V or Charles V in 1492 and it is in Medina.
They marked the start of a new era in the history of Alhambra in Granada.
The Christian court in Alhambra Palace is a circle in a square palace like the Renaissance palaces.
Alhambra was the house for prominent guests, a church, and a Franciscan Monastery.
It is now a historical monument in Granada resonating with the different reigns that it saw.
Alhambra Palace History FAQs
When was the Alhambra Palace built?
Between 1238 to 1358, King Ibn al-Ahmar built the Alhambra castle.
He was the founder of the Nasrid dynasty who contributed to the historical stories of Spain.
What is the area of Alhambra Palace?
The historical palace of Alhambra is built on an area of about 26 acres.
It has various sections:
the Alcazaba,
Nasrid Palace,
Generalife,
the palace of Charles V, and
the Franciscan Monastery
Which is the largest tower inside Alhambra?
The Comares Tower inside Nasrid Palace is the largest tower of the Alhambra Fort in Spain.
As per the history of Alhambra, this tower contains the ‘Salón de Comares’ or the Hall of the Ambassadors.
What was the purpose of many water bodies on the premises?
The Nasrid rulers used water for its sight, sound, and cooling qualities to create a calm environment in the historical city of Granada.
There are plenty of water bodies seen within the Alhambra palace complex.
How was the Spanish Renaissance effect seen in Alhambra architecture?
The historical stories of Spain trace back to when the Catholic monarchs conquered the palace in 1492.
They destroyed a few parts to build their structure on the enemy’s ruins.
The circular structure in the middle of the square palace symbolizes the Spanish Renaissance.
Who built Alhambra?
The existence of the oldest building traces back to the 9th century in the historical city of Granada.
A person named Sawwar ben Hamdun and his people hid here during the fights between the Muslims and Muladies.
Muladies are people of mixed Arab and European descent.
They later started building around the Alcazaba fortress.
Why was the Franciscan Monastery built?
The Queen of the Catholic Monarch Isabella I of Castile vowed to build the shrine of Saint Francis on winning the empire of Granada.
Once the monarchs expelled the Nasrids from Alhambra, Spain, they built the Monastery.
Current status of Alhambra
The Alhambra Palace’s history shows that it underwent many restoration works under different rulers.
It is now a UNESCO-accredited World heritage site.
Featured Image: Alhambra-Patronato.es