Alhambra Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Alhambra
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Charles V palace in Alhambra
Location	Granada, Andalusia, Spain
Part of	Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín, Granada
Criteria	Cultural: i, iii, iv
Inscription	19847 (17871st Session)
Extensions	19948

The Alhambra ("The Red One" - because of the color of the red clay of the surroundings of which the fort is made), is a palace and fortress complex located in Granada, Andalusia, Spain. It was originally constructed as a small fortress in AD 889 on the remains of Roman fortifications, and then largely ignored until its ruins were renovated and rebuilt in the mid-13th century by the Nasrid emir Mohammed ben Al-Ahmar of the Emirate of Granada, who built its current palace and walls.

It was converted into a royal palace in 1333 by Yusuf I, Sultan of Granada. After the conclusion of the Christian Reconquista in 1492, the site became the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella (where Christopher Columbus received royal endorsement for his expedition), and the palaces were partially altered in the Renaissance style.

In 1526 Charles I & V commissioned a new Renaissance palace better befitting the Holy Roman Emperor, but it was ultimately never completed due to Morisco rebellions in Granada.

Alhambra's last Islamic palaces were built for the last Muslim emirs in Spain during the decline of the Nasrid dynasty, who were increasingly subject to the Christian Kings of Castile.

Plan of the Palacio Arabe 1889

After being allowed to fall into disrepair for centuries, the buildings occupied by squatters, Alhambra was rediscovered following the defeat of Napoleon, who had retaliated by destroying the site. The re-discoverers were first the British and then other north European Romantic travelers.

The Alhambra tiles are remarkable in that they contain nearly all, if not all, of the seventeen mathematically possible wallpaper groups. This is a unique accomplishment in world architecture. M. C. Escher's visit in 1922 and study of the Moorish use of symmetries in the Alhambra tiles inspired his work on tessellation.

There is a main belt asteroid named Alhambra.

It is now one of Spain's major tourist attractions, exhibiting the country's most significant and well-known Islamic architecture, together with 16th-century and later Christian building and gardens. The Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the inspiration for many songs and stories.

Islamic architecture

Images for kids

Panorama of the Alhambra from Mirador de San Nicolas. From left to right: Generalife, Pico del Veleta (mountain), Palacios Nazaríes, Palace of Charles V, Alcazaba
Night view of Alhambra, Granada from Mirador de San Nicolas. Taken on a clear day in July 2017
Panorama of the Alhambra
Remains of the Puente del Cadí (formerly Bāb al-Difāf), an 11th-century Zirid fortification that enabled soldiers on the Sabika hill to access the river during times of siege
Islamic calligraphy in the Mexuar Hall: و لا غالب إلا الله, "There is no victor but God", a motto used by the Nasrid dynasty
The Court of the Lions in 1871
The Torre de la Polvóra at the Alcazaba, an example of a tower reinforced with curved ramparts in the 16th century to better defend against modern artillery
A Court in the Alhambra at the Time of the Moors, Edwin Lord Weeks, 1876
Pavilion in the Court of the Lions in 19th-century photo, showing the "oriental" dome added by Rafael Contreras in 1859, later removed by Leopoldo Torres Balbás
Mullioned windows of the Hall of the Two Sisters in the Alhambra, by Juan Laurent, c. 1874. Stucco decoration can be seen on the upper walls while geometric tile mosaic is seen below.
Example of a typical Nasrid capital (from the Sala del Mexuar), with some of its original colours preserved
Calligraphy in the Hall of Ambassadors: above is a band of inscriptions that repeats the Nasrid motto ("There is no conqueror but God") in cursive script, while below is a larger cartouche containing an inscription in "Knotted" Kufic
The Puerta de la Justicia (Gate of Justice), the main southern gate to the Alhambra, built by Yusuf I in 1348
The Puerta de las Armas ('Gate of Arms'), the main northern gate of the Alhambra, from the 13th century
View of the Alcazaba and its interior
View of the Mexuar today (with the Comares Tower also visible behind it)
The Court of the Lions and its central fountain
Painted ceiling with Nasrid figures in the Hall of Kings
Muqarnas dome in the Hall of the Two Sisters
The Lindaraja Courtyard, formed in the 16th century
The Partal Palace
Exterior of the Palace of Charles V
Courtyard of the Palace of Charles V
Exterior of the Church of Santa Maria de la Alhambra
Interior of the baths (hammam) that stood near the Alhambra Mosque
Remains of the Rawda mausoleum today (with the Palace of the Lions standing behind it)
The Patio de la Acequia in the Generalife
The Torres Bermejas on the Mauror Hill
Aqueduct of the Acequia Real, which brings water into the Alhambra's walled enclosure (on the right)
Bronze lamp from the Alhambra Mosque, dated to 1305 (housed at the National Archaeological Museum)
Tessellations like this inspired M.C. Escher's work.

Alhambra facts for kids

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