Alhambra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alhambra |
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| Location | Granada, Spain |
| Criteria | Cultural: i, iii, iv |
| Designated | 1984 (8th session) |
| Part of | Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín, Granada |
| Reference no. | 314-001 |
| Region | List of World Heritage Sites in Southern Europe |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Monument |
| Designated | 10 February 1870 |
| Reference no. | RI-51-0000009 |
The Alhambra is a stunning palace and fortress in Granada, Andalusia, Spain. It's one of the most famous examples of Islamic architecture in the world. It also has beautiful examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture. This amazing place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a top tourist spot in Spain.
The Alhambra was started in 1238 by Muhammad I Ibn al-Ahmar. He was the first ruler of the Nasrid dynasty, which was the last Muslim kingdom in Spain. The complex was built on Sabika hill, a rocky outcrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Over time, other Nasrid rulers added to and changed the site. The most important building work happened in the 14th century under Yusuf I and Muhammad V.
After the Christian Reconquista (reconquest) of Spain in 1492, the Alhambra became a royal palace for Ferdinand and Isabella. This is where Christopher Columbus got their support for his famous journey. Later, in 1526, Charles V started building a new Renaissance-style palace right next to the old ones, but it was never finished.
For centuries, the Alhambra was neglected and even had people living in its ruined parts. It was "rediscovered" after Napoleon's troops damaged some areas. Writers like Washington Irving, whose book Tales of the Alhambra (1832) became very popular, helped bring worldwide attention to the site. Since the 19th century, the Alhambra has been carefully restored.
During the Nasrid rule, the Alhambra was like a small city on its own. It had everything a city needed: a mosque, public baths (hammams), roads, houses, workshops, and a clever water system. As a royal city and fortress, it had at least six main palaces. The most famous ones you can visit today are the Mexuar, the Comares Palace, the Palace of the Lions, and the Partal Palace. At the western end of the Alhambra is the Alcazaba fortress. Many towers and fortified gates are also part of its walls. Just outside the Alhambra, to the east, is the Generalife, which was a summer palace with beautiful gardens.
The Nasrid palaces show off the style of Moorish architecture. They often use a courtyard as a central space, with rooms built around it. These courtyards usually have water features like pools or fountains. The inside of the buildings is richly decorated with tile mosaics on the lower walls and carved stucco on the upper walls. You'll see lots of geometric shapes, plant designs, and Arabic writing. There are also cool "stalactite"-like carvings called muqarnas on ceilings.
Contents
- What Does "Alhambra" Mean?
- A Look Back: The Alhambra's History
- How the Alhambra is Laid Out
- The Alhambra's Architecture
- Important Parts of the Alhambra
- How the Alhambra Got Its Water
- Old Furnishings and Art
- The Alhambra's Influence
- See Also
- Images for kids
What Does "Alhambra" Mean?
The name Alhambra comes from the Arabic word al-Ḥamrāʼ, which means "the red one." The full name was "the red fortress." The "Al-" part in Arabic means "the," but in English and Spanish, we usually just say "the Alhambra." The name refers to the reddish color of its walls. These walls were built using a technique called rammed earth, and the red color comes from the iron oxide in the local clay.
Many of the names for specific parts of the Alhambra today were made up after the Middle Ages, often in the 19th century. We don't know the original Arabic names for most of the Nasrid-era buildings.
A Look Back: The Alhambra's History
Early Days and First Buildings
There might have been Roman buildings on Sabika hill, but it's not clear. A fortress probably existed here in the 9th century. The first mention of the "red castle" was during battles in the late 800s. Back then, it was a small castle with weak walls.
In the early 11th century, the Zirids, a Berber group from North Africa, ruled Granada. When the Caliphate of Córdoba fell, the Zirid leader Zawi ben Ziri created his own kingdom. The Zirids built their main fortress and palace on the Albaicín hill, which is now a neighborhood in Granada. They also had fortresses on the Sabika and Mauror hills. The Sabika hill fortress was later used for the foundations of the current Alcazaba. A powerful Jewish administrator named Samuel ha-Nagid built his own palace on Sabika hill, possibly where the current palaces stand, but nothing of it remains today.
The Nasrid Rulers' Time
The Zirid rule ended when the Almoravids and later the Almohads from North Africa took over Spain. After 1228, their rule collapsed, and new local rulers appeared. At the same time, Christian kingdoms like Castile and Aragon were conquering more land.
In 1238, Ibn al-Ahmar (Muhammad I) founded the Nasrid dynasty, which became the last Muslim kingdom in Spain. He chose Granada as his capital. That same year, he started building the Alhambra as his new home and fortress. He quickly finished the walls and brought water from the river to the complex.
During the Nasrid dynasty, the Alhambra became a grand palace-city. A clever irrigation system of aqueducts and water channels brought water from the mountains. This made the Alhambra a true palace-city, not just a defensive fort.
From Ibn al-Ahmar's time, only some of the fortress walls, especially the Alcazaba, remain. He didn't have time to build major new palaces. Later Nasrid rulers kept changing and adding to the site, which makes it hard to know the exact timeline of its development.
The oldest major palace that still has some parts left is the Palacio del Partal Alto. It was probably built by Ibn al-Ahmar's son, Muhammad II (ruled 1273–1302). Muhammad III (ruled 1302–1309) built the Partal Palace, which is still standing today. He also built the Alhambra's main mosque. The Partal Palace is the oldest Nasrid palace still standing.
Isma'il I (ruled 1314–1325) made big changes to the Alhambra. His rule started the "classical" period of Nasrid architecture. He built a new palace complex, the Comares Palace, to be the official home of the sultan. The Mexuar was part of this complex. He also created the Rawda, a burial place for the Nasrid rulers.
Yusuf I (ruled 1333–1354) continued work on the Comares Palace, building the Hall of Ambassadors. He also built the Alhambra's main gate, the Puerta de la Justicia, and the Torre de la Cautiva, a beautiful tower with decorated rooms.
Muhammad V's reign (1354–1391) was a golden age for the Nasrid kingdom and its architecture. He built the famous Palace of the Lions and redecorated the Mexuar and the Court of the Myrtles, giving them their final look.
After Muhammad V, not much major building happened. The 15th century was a time of decline for the Nasrid dynasty, with less new and exciting architecture.
The Christian Spanish Period
The last Nasrid sultan, Muhammad XII of Granada, gave up the Emirate of Granada in January 1492 to the Catholic Monarchs, King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile. The Alhambra itself was not attacked. Muhammad XII moved the bodies of his ancestors from the palace.
After the conquest, the Alhambra became a royal palace for the Spanish Crown. Isabella and Ferdinand lived there for several months. During this time, they signed the Alhambra Decree, which ordered all Jews in Spain to convert or leave. Christopher Columbus also presented his plans for his Atlantic expedition here, and the monarchs signed the contract for it.
The new Christian rulers started adding and changing parts of the palace. The Tendilla family became the governors of the Alhambra. Iñigo López de Mendoza y Quiñones, the first Spanish governor, made repairs and strengthened the fortifications to protect against gunpowder artillery attacks. Many towers were built or reinforced during this time.
Charles V (ruled 1516–1556) visited the Alhambra in 1526 and decided to make it his royal home. He changed parts of the Nasrid palaces and started building a huge new palace, the Palace of Charles V, in the Renaissance style. Construction began in 1527 but was stopped in 1637, leaving it unfinished.
The Alhambra then went through a period of severe decline. The Spanish government didn't spend much money on it, and local governors neglected it. Between 1810 and 1812, Napoleon's army occupied Granada and damaged the Alhambra. When they left, they tried to blow up the whole complex. They destroyed eight towers before a Spanish soldier, José Garcia, stopped the remaining explosions. In 1821, an earthquake caused more damage.
Restorations and Modern Times
Restoration work began in 1828. In 1830, Washington Irving lived in Granada and wrote his Tales of the Alhambra, which made the site famous around the world. Other artists and writers also helped make the Alhambra an icon.
Early restorers sometimes added elements that they thought looked "Arabic" but weren't historically accurate. For example, in 1858–1859, Rafael Contreras added Persian-looking domes to the Court of the Lions, which were later removed.
In 1870, the Alhambra was declared a National Monument of Spain, and the government started funding its conservation. However, there were still problems with how the site was managed.
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From 1923 to 1936, Leopoldo Torres Balbás became the chief architect. He was an archeologist and art historian, and he brought a more scientific approach to restoration. He removed inaccurate additions and carried out archeological digs, uncovering lost structures like the Palacio del Partal Alto.
His work was continued by Francisco Prieto Moreno. In 1984, the Alhambra and Generalife were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, the Alhambra is one of Spain's most popular tourist spots, and research and restoration work continue.
How the Alhambra is Laid Out
The Alhambra is about 700 to 740 meters long and 200 to 205 meters wide. It covers an area of about 142,000 square meters (35 acres). It sits on a narrow hill overlooking the city of Granada, with the Darro River flowing on its north side. The fortress is built from reddish earth, which gives it its name.
The westernmost part of the Alhambra is the Alcazaba, a large fortress. Today, visitors usually enter through the Puerta de la Justicia (Gate of Justice). This gate leads to a large open space called the Plaza de los Aljibes. From there, the Calle Real (Royal Street) divides the Alhambra into a southern residential area and a northern area with palaces and gardens.
The most important part of the palaces is the Tower of the Ambassadors in the Palacio Comares (Comares Palace). This was the sultan's throne room, with windows looking out over the city. The private Palacio de Los Leones (Palace of the Lions) is connected to the public areas.
The rest of the Alhambra plateau has other Moorish palaces, surrounded by a fortified wall with thirteen defensive towers. Some towers, like the Torre de la Infanta and Torre de la Cautiva, even contain small palaces inside. The Darro River flows through a valley to the north, separating the Alhambra from the Albaicín district. Another valley separates it from the Generalife, the emir's summer gardens.
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Mexuar (main hall) Comares Palace Palace of the Lions
Courtyard of LindarajaThe Alhambra's Architecture
General Design Ideas
The Nasrid palaces' design and decoration continued the style of Moorish architecture. They are known for their carefully planned courtyards, water features, gardens, slender columns, and detailed stucco and tile decorations. These elements make the architecture feel light and personal. Walls were mostly built from rammed earth or brick and then covered with plaster. Wood was used for roofs, ceilings, and doors.
Buildings were designed to be beautiful from the inside. The main part of a Nasrid palace was a rectangular courtyard with a pool or fountain. Halls and rooms were built around these courtyards. Many rooms had a mirador, a special room that stuck out to offer great views of the gardens or city. The buildings were designed using mathematical proportions, making them look balanced. The layout of courtyards, windows, and water features helped keep the buildings cool in summer and warm in winter.
Architects and Poets
We don't know much about the specific architects who built the Alhambra. However, the Dīwān al-Ins͟hā' (chancery), which was like a government office, played a big role in designing the buildings. This was probably because writing became such an important part of the decoration. The head of this office was often also the sultan's prime minister. Important figures like Ibn al-Jayyab, Ibn al-Khatib, and Ibn Zamrak held these positions and also wrote much of the poetry found on the Alhambra's walls.
Decoration Details
Carved stucco and mosaic tilework (called zilīj or zellij) were used for wall decoration. Ceilings were usually made of wood, often carved and painted. Tile mosaics and wooden ceilings often feature geometric designs. Tiles were used for lower walls and floors, while stucco was used for upper walls. Stucco was carved with arabesque plant motifs, writing, geometric patterns, or sebka patterns. It could also be sculpted into three-dimensional muqarnas (like stalactites).
White marble was used for fountains and slender columns. The capitals (tops) of columns often had carved acanthus leaves, geometric designs, and inscriptions like the Nasrid motto: "There is no victor but God."
Even though the stucco, wooden ceilings, and marble capitals look plain today, they were originally painted in bright colors. Red, blue, and gold were the most common colors, used to create a balanced look.
Inscriptions and Calligraphy
The Alhambra has many styles of Arabic writing. The walls are like pages of a book, with tile patterns similar to manuscript decorations and writing like calligraphy. Inscriptions usually run in vertical or horizontal bands or are placed inside round or rectangular frames.
Most major inscriptions use the Naskhi or cursive script, which was common. Thuluth script, a more formal cursive style, was used for important texts. Often, bands of cursive script are mixed with Kufic script. Kufic is the oldest Arabic calligraphy style, but by the 13th century, it became very decorative and sometimes hard to read. The Alhambra has many examples of "Knotted" Kufic, where letters tie together in complex knots.
The texts include religious phrases, royal messages, and poems by Nasrid court poets like Ibn al-Khatīb and Ibn Zamrak. The Alhambra's inscriptions are special because they often talk about the palace itself, as if the room is speaking to you. Most poetry is in Nasrid cursive script, while Kufic inscriptions are used as decorative elements, often forming arches or columns. Like other decorations, many inscriptions were originally painted in gold, silver, or white with black outlines, making them stand out.
"And the peninsula was conquered with the sword"
"They build palaces diligently"
"There is no victor but God."
Important Parts of the Alhambra
Entrance Gates
The main southern gate of the Alhambra is the large Puerta de la Justicia (Gate of Justice). It was built in 1348 during Yusuf I's reign. The gate has a big horseshoe arch and a winding passage that turns twice, making it hard for attackers to get through. Above the outside arch is a carving of a hand, symbolizing the Five Pillars of Islam. Above the inside arch is a key, another symbol of faith. A Christian sculpture of the Virgin Mary and Christ Child was added later.
After passing through the Puerta de la Justicia, you reach the Plaza de los Aljibes (Place of the Cisterns). This open space separates the Alcazaba from the Nasrid Palaces. It's named after a large cistern built around 1494. On the east side of the square is the Puerta del Vino (Wine Gate), which leads to the Palace of Charles V. This gate has beautiful ceramic and stucco decorations.
The other main gate was the Puerta de las Armas ('Gate of Arms'), on the north side of the Alcazaba. This was originally the main entrance for regular city residents. It's one of the earliest structures, built in the 13th century, and looks similar to earlier Almohad architecture.
Two other outer gates existed further east. The Puerta del Arrabal ('Arrabal Gate') on the north side opened onto a ravine. The Puerta de los Siete Suelos ('Gate of Seven Floors') on the south side was mostly destroyed by Napoleon's troops in 1812 and later rebuilt. This gate was the main entrance for the Alhambra's workers and industries. It was also the gate through which the Catholic Monarchs first entered the Alhambra in 1492.
The Alcazaba Fortress
The Alcazaba, or citadel, is the oldest part of the Alhambra. It was the main part of the complex's defenses. Its tallest tower, the 26-meter-high Torre del Homenaje ('Tower of Homage'), was the military command center. The westernmost tower, the 25-meter-high Torre de la Vela, was a watchtower. The flag of Ferdinand and Isabella was first raised here when Spain conquered Granada in 1492. Inside the fortress walls, there was a residential area for the Alhambra's guards, with a kitchen, a bathhouse, and dungeons.
The Nasrid Palaces
The royal palace complex has three main parts, from west to east: the Mexuar, the Comares Palace, and the Palace of the Lions. These are also known as the Casa Real Vieja ('Old Royal Palace').
The Mexuar
The Mexuar is the westernmost part of the palace. It was used for administrative and public duties, like the chancery (government office) and treasury. It had two courtyards and a main hall, the Sala del Mexuar (Council Hall), where the sultan received visitors. Parts of the Mexuar were changed a lot after the Christian conquest. For example, the Sala del Mexuar was turned into a Christian chapel. Many of these changes were later removed during modern restorations.
The Comares Palace
The Comares Palace was the heart of a large palace complex started by Isma'il I. It was the official palace of the sultan. You enter it from the Mexuar through a highly decorated facade called the Comares Façade.
The Comares Palace is built around the Patio de los Arrayanes ('Court of the Myrtles'). This courtyard is about 23 meters wide and 36.6 meters long, with a long, reflective pool in the middle. Myrtle bushes grow along the sides of the pool, giving the court its name. Two ornate porticos (covered walkways) are at the north and south ends. Next to the palace are the well-preserved Comares Baths, a royal hammam.
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On the north side of the Court of the Myrtles, inside the huge Comares Tower, is the Salón de los Embajadores ('Hall of the Ambassadors'). This is the largest room in the Alhambra, measuring 11.3 meters on each side and rising 18.2 meters high. This was the sultan's throne room. The ceiling is made of 8017 wooden pieces that form a geometric pattern representing the seven heavens. The hall and its tower stick out from the palace walls, offering views in three directions, like a giant mirador.
The Palace of the Lions
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The Palace of the Lions is one of the most famous palaces in Islamic architecture. Its central rectangular courtyard is about 28.7 meters long and 15.6 meters wide. The arches and columns around the courtyard are arranged in a unique pattern of single columns mixed with groups of two or three. Two ornate pavilions stand at the east and west sides, and in the center is the famous Fountain of the Lions. The fountain has a large basin surrounded by twelve stylized lion sculptures carved from marble. A poem by Ibn Zamrak is carved around the basin, praising the fountain and the lions.
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Four halls surround the courtyard. The Sala de los Mocárabes ('Hall of the mocárabes (muqarnas)') on the west side was damaged and its ceiling was replaced. The Sala de los Reyes ('Hall of Kings') on the east side has several sections with muqarnas vaults. Three rooms behind it have unique paintings on leather, showing a Nasrid sultan, dignitaries, sports, and court life. The painting style was influenced by Christian Gothic art.
On the south side is the Sala de los Abencerrajes ('Hall of the Abencerrages'), named after a legend. It has an elaborate muqarnas vault ceiling, with a 16-sided lantern cupola that might symbolize heaven. On the north side is the Sala de Dos Hermanas ('Hall of Two Sisters'), named for two large marble slabs in its floor. Its original Arabic name meant "the Great Dome," suggesting its importance. This hall has one of the most amazing muqarnas domes in Islamic art, made of at least 5000 pieces.
North of the Sala de Dos Hermanas is the Mirador de Lindaraja, a small room with windows overlooking the gardens. It has very detailed carved stucco and original tilework with fine Arabic inscriptions. Its ceiling is a unique wooden lattice filled with pieces of colored glass.
Renaissance Apartments and Courtyards
East of the Comares Palace and Palace of the Lions are Christian additions from the 16th century. The Patio de Lindaraja (Lindaraja Courtyard) was originally an open garden but became a cloistered garden with new buildings around it. Its fountain has a Baroque base and a Nasrid marble basin. On the west and north sides are six rooms built for Charles V, known as the Emperor's Chambers. They have a marble fireplace and painted ceilings.
Further north is the Peinador de la Reina ('Queen's Robing Room'), originally a fortification tower. Yusuf I turned it into a small palace, and Muhammad V added decoration. Charles V connected it to the Emperor's Chambers. Its upper floor was painted with mythological scenes and depictions of Charles V's 1535 invasion of Tunis.
Partal Palace and Gardens
East of the Palace of the Lions is the Partal Palace, a pavilion on the edge of the Alhambra walls. Built by Muhammad III, it's the oldest surviving palace in the Alhambra. It has a portico facing a large reflective pool. Next to it is a small, decorated prayer room. Beyond the Partal are gardens along the northern wall. Several towers along this wall were turned into small palaces, like the Torre de la Cautiva ('Tower of the Captive') and the Torre de las Infantas ('Tower of the Princesses').
The Palace of Charles V
The palace built by Charles V in the middle of the Alhambra was designed by Pedro Machuca, an architect trained in Rome. It was built in a modern Renaissance style. This huge stone building has a perfectly circular courtyard inside. Its construction symbolized Charles V's power and the triumph of Christianity.
Construction began in 1527 but was never finished, leaving the structure without a roof until after 1923, when Leopoldo Torres Balbás began its restoration. Today, this building houses the Alhambra Museum, which has objects from the Alhambra's history, and the Fine Arts Museum of Granada.
Other Nasrid Palaces
Three other major Nasrid palaces once existed but were mostly destroyed. The remains of the Palacio del Partal Alto ('Upper Partal Palace') are now part of the Partal Gardens. This is the oldest palace in the Alhambra of which traces have been found.
The Palace of the Convent of San Francisco is named after the convent built there in 1494. Queen Isabella I was originally buried here. Little remains of the Nasrid palace, but it had a rectangular courtyard and a richly decorated room. Today, it's a hotel.
The Palace of the Abencerrajes was one of the largest palaces, but it was blown up by Napoleon's troops in 1812. Its excavated remains are visible today but haven't been fully studied.
Church of Santa Maria and the Alhambra Mosque
East of the Palace of Charles V is the Catholic Church of Santa María de la Alhambra. It stands on the site of the former Alhambra Mosque, the main mosque of the complex. The church was built between 1581 and 1618. Inside, there's a large Baroque altarpiece and a sculpture of Our Lady of Sorrows (Mary holding Jesus' body). This sculpture is carried in a procession during Holy Week.
Little remains of the original Alhambra Mosque, except for a bronze lamp now in a museum in Madrid. The mosque was built by Muhammad III and finished in 1305. It was converted to a church after the Christian conquest but was later demolished in 1576 to build the current church.
Baths of the Mosque
One part of the Alhambra Mosque, its baths (hammam), has been preserved and is accessible today. Like other Islamic baths, it was used for hygiene and religious washing. These baths were built under Muhammad III. They were partly demolished but later restored and reconstructed in 1934.
The baths had typical rooms: a changing room, a cold room, and a hot room. Original tiles, stucco, and marble flooring have been preserved.
The Rawda (Nasrid Mausoleum)
Between the former mosque and the Palace of the Lions was the Rawda (meaning 'garden' in Arabic), the royal burial place of the Nasrids. It was built by Isma'il I in the early 14th century. The structure no longer stands, but its foundations are visible. It was a rectangular enclosure with a square mausoleum chamber inside. Important Nasrid rulers were buried here. Their tombs were covered with marble slabs and carved tombstones. When archeologists studied the site in 1925-1926, they found 70 empty graves. The last sultan, Muhammad XII, had moved his ancestors' remains to another location.
The Generalife
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East of the Alhambra is the Generalife, a Nasrid country estate and summer palace. It was built in the late 13th and early 14th centuries and later modified. It has several rectangular garden courtyards with decorated pavilions. Today, large landscaped gardens lead up to the palace. The Generalife was originally connected to the Alhambra by a walled path.
Other Structures Outside the Walls
Today, you usually approach the Alhambra through the Alhambra Woods. The entrance to the woods is through the Puerta de las Granadas ('Gate of the Pomegranates'), a Renaissance-style gate built in 1536. Inside the woods is the Puerta de Birambla, an old city gate that was moved and rebuilt here.
South of the Puerta de las Granadas are the Torres Bermejas ('Vermilion Towers'), three towers on the Mauror Hill. Their origin is unclear, but the oldest parts date from the late 8th or early 9th century. In the 16th century, an artillery bastion was added to them.
During the Nasrid period, there were other country estates and palaces east of the Alhambra and Generalife, like the Palacio de los Alijares and the Dar al-'Arusa. Only traces of them remain today. They were probably as richly decorated as the Alhambra palaces, with gardens and bathhouses. Also nearby is the Silla del Moro ('Seat of the Moor'), a ruined fort on a hilltop that protected the water supply.
How the Alhambra Got Its Water
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Water was supplied to both the Alhambra and the Generalife by the Acequia del Sultan (also known as the Acequia Real or 'Royal Canal'). This canal still exists today. It draws water from the Darro River high up in the Sierra Nevada mountains, about 6.1 kilometers east of the Alhambra. A smaller branch also splits off and goes to the top of the Generalife gardens. The main canal also reaches the Generalife and supplies water to its famous Patio de la Acequia. Both canals mostly ran on the surface, but some parts went through tunnels cut into the rock.
After reaching the Generalife, the canals turn towards the Alhambra. The water enters the Alhambra through an aqueduct next to the Torre del Agua ('Water Tower') at the eastern tip. From there, a complex system of channels and water tanks distributes the water throughout the citadel, creating the beautiful water features in the palaces.
Old Furnishings and Art
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Today, the Alhambra's rooms are empty, but they were once filled with carpets, cushions, and tapestries. People sat on the floor, which is why some windows in the miradors were so low.
One of the most famous objects from the Nasrid palaces are the "Alhambra vases." These large, decorated ceramic vases were probably displayed in the corners of rooms. They were about 125 centimeters tall and had narrow bases, bulging bodies, and wing-shaped handles. They were decorated with Arabic writing and other designs, mostly in blue, white, and gold. Ten of these vases still exist today. One of the best examples is the 14th-century Vase of the Gazelles, now at the Alhambra Museum.
Smaller jars and vases were kept in niches in the walls, possibly filled with water for visitors.
Another important object is an elaborate bronze lamp from the main mosque, dated to 1305. It's now at the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid, but a replica is at the Alhambra Museum.
The Alhambra's Influence
In Architecture
The Alhambra was often remembered fondly in Muslim societies after the Christian conquest. It may have influenced later Islamic buildings, like those built by the Saadian dynasty in Morocco.
After a book called Plans, Elevations, Sections and Details of the Alhambra was published in London (1842–1845), a decorative, Alhambra-inspired architectural style called Alhambresque became popular in the West.
The Alhambra also inspired many buildings in the Moorish Revival architecture style, such as:
- Isaac M. Wise Temple (synagogue in Cincinnati, Ohio)
- Villa Zorayda (villa in St. Augustine, Florida)
- Villa Alhambra (villa in Malta)
In Literature
Many books have parts set in the Alhambra:
- Washington Irving's Tales of the Alhambra. Irving lived in the palace while writing this book, which helped make the site famous.
- Radwa Ashour's Granada Trilogy
- Salman Rushdie's The Moor's Last Sigh
- Amin Maalouf's Leo Africanus
- Philippa Gregory's The Constant Princess
- Paulo Coelho's novel The Alchemist
In Music
The Alhambra has directly inspired many musical pieces:
- Francisco Tárrega's famous guitar piece Recuerdos de la Alhambra.
- Claude Debussy's piano pieces Lindaraja and La Puerta del Vino.
- Isaac Albéniz's "En La Alhambra" and "El Albaicín" from his Iberia suite.
- Manuel de Falla's "En los Jardines del Generalife."
- In 2006, Loreena McKennitt performed live at the Alhambra, released as Nights from the Alhambra.
- The rock band Grateful Dead has a song called "Alhambra" in their "Terrapin Station" suite.
In Mathematics
The Alhambra's tiles are special because they contain almost all of the seventeen possible wallpaper groups (mathematical patterns). This is unique in world architecture. The artist M. C. Escher visited the Alhambra in 1922 and studied its use of symmetries, which inspired his famous work on tessellation.
In Film
- Marcel L'Herbier's 1921 film El Dorado was the first feature film allowed to shoot inside the Alhambra.
- Animated films like Ahmed, El Principe de la Alhambra are based on stories from Washington Irving's Tales of the Alhambra.
- The Alhambra stood in for Baghdad in the 1958 adventure film The 7th Voyage of Sinbad.
- The Court of the Lions was shown in Assassin's Creed (2016).
- The fictional Broadway theatre in 2005's King Kong is named "The Alhambra."
- The 2018 South Korean TV series Memories of the Alhambra is set in Granada, with the Alhambra palace as a key part of an AR (augmented reality) game.
In Astronomy
There is a main belt asteroid named Alhambra.
See Also
In Spanish: Alhambra para niños
- 12 Treasures of Spain
- Alfarje
- History of medieval Arabic and Western European domes
- Islamic garden
Images for kids
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Panorama of the Alhambra from Mirador de San Nicolas. From left to right: Generalife, Veleta mountain, Nasrid Palaces, Palace of Charles V, and Alcazaba
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Night view of Alhambra from Mirador de San Nicolas
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Panorama of the Alhambra
