Alhambra Palace in southern Spain. The Alhambra Fortress in Spain is the New Eighth Wonder of the World. The structure of Charles's palace

The Alhambra in Granada is an ancient fortress-palace from the times of Spanish Mauritania. In 1984, the architectural and park ensemble was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The centuries-old history of the Alhambra

The first mention of the fortress is in historical archives of the 9th century. In 889, during the civil war of the Caliphate in Cordoba, the ruler Savwar ben Hamdun was hiding on the top of a rocky plateau. On the hill where the Alhambra Palace now stands, there was an ancient dilapidated fortress - Alcazaba. During the war, its walls were strengthened for defense purposes, and the real “golden age” for the fortress came only three centuries later.

In 1238, in what was then a Muslim state, rebel Muhammad bin Al-Ahmar declared himself emir and established a residence in the Alhambra Castle. Thus the Emirate of Granada was founded, which existed until 1492. During the reign of the Nasrid dynasty, the Alhambra changed its appearance. First of all, the Observation Tower (Torre de la Vella) and the Tower of Hommage were built for defensive purposes, then warehouses and baths were built.

For the first time, the Alhambra fortress turned into a luxurious residence only during the reign of Yusuf I and Mohamed V (from 1333 to 1391). A radical reconstruction was carried out - new baths, gates, walls with golden carvings, which gave the emir's palace a rich look. It was during this period that the Square of Lions, the Hall of Blessing and the Gate of Justice appeared, which are popular among tourists today.

In 1492, the Emirate of Granada became the last Arab state in Europe to be defeated by Christians. From this period, the next changes to the Alhambra complex begin. The architectural elements of the palace, which were reminiscent of Muslim culture, were deliberately destroyed - the gilding was covered with whitewash, the furniture and paintings were destroyed.

For several centuries, each subsequent ruler changed the Alhambra to suit himself, destroying and introducing something new. Under Charles V, the palace was decorated in the spirit of the Renaissance; under Philip V, it acquired an Italian style.

The 19th century was also a turning point for the Spanish Alhambra. By order of Napoleon Bonaparte, the complex was supposed to be blown up, but one of the commanders did not allow this, disarming the explosives. Ironically, after some time, part of the castle was still destroyed, but under the influence of an earthquake. In 1828, restoration work on the Moorish palace began. The reconstruction of the entire complex lasted more than 60 years.

Inspection plan for the Alhambra complex

The thousand-year history of the pearl of Moorish architecture, the Alhambra, covers many events and participants. Despite all the modifications over the centuries, the Alhambra Palace in Granada is the most striking example of Moorish culture. By studying the territory of the complex, you can trace the development of history.

Alcazaba

The oldest part of the castle and the main citadel of the Alhambra with all the military fortifications, gates and towers.

Nasrid Palace

The rulers of the last dynasty of emirs lived here. Divided into three main buildings:

1. Meshuar is the hall where guests were received, the council of ministers met and the trial was held.
2. The Comares Palace with the Myrtle Courtyard is the official residence of the ruler.
3. Palace of Lions - personal apartments of the emir. This is a 14th century building, which includes, in addition to chambers, several halls, the Lion's Courtyard and the Lions Fountain. It is notable for its harmony and luxury, which has survived to this day.

Palace of Charles V

A square building with a circular patio in Renaissance style. On its territory there is the Alhambra Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts. Music and dance performances are held in the courtyard.

Partal

The former palace dates back to the early 14th century, but very few buildings remain. The most notable of the remaining ones is the Ladies' Tower (Torre de las Damas), which includes a vaulted hall, a small mosque and a swimming pool.

Medina

This is a residential area, or as it is also called the Upper Alhambra. Here the service personnel were located in simple houses. Along the central street (the modern name is Royal Street) there were baths, a mosque, workshops, bazaars and several mansions. The church of Santa Maria de la Alhambra is now located here.

Generalife

The countryside summer residence of the emirs, which is located on the slopes of Sunny Hill a little far from the castles of the Alhambra. The Generalife Gardens were a favorite place for kings to take a break from everyday life. True, the residence lost its original appearance back in the Christian era, as it was abandoned for a long time.

So, these are the main locations that tourists can explore during the day. In addition to them, the Alhambra complex contains many towers, each of which has its own historical name, as well as numerous gardens.

Opening hours and tickets to the Alhambra

The Alhambra complex in Granada is open all year round, except public holidays - December 25 and January 1.

• Day ticket
• Visit to the gardens: from Monday to Sunday - 8:30 - 20:00 (ticket office opening from 8:00).
• : from Tuesday to Saturday - 22:00 - 23:30 (box office hours are from 21:00 to 22:45).

• Day ticket
• Visit to the gardens: from Monday to Sunday - 8:30 - 18:00 (ticket office opening from 8:00).
• Evening visit to the Nasrid Palaces: Friday and Saturday - 20:00 - 21:30 (box office hours are from 19:00 to 20:45).

There are also tickets for an evening visit to the Generalife Gardens, the schedule is as follows:

• from April 1 to May 31 - from Tuesday to Saturday: 22:00 - 23:30 (box office opening from 21:00 to 22:45);
• from September 1 to October 14 - from Tuesday to Saturday: 22:00 - 23:30 (box office opening from 21:00 to 22:45);
• from October 15 to November 14 - Friday and Saturday: 20:00 - 21:30 (box office hours are from 19:00 to 20:45).

Ticket prices

Day visit*: 14 €; children from 12 to 15 years old - 8 €.

Evening visit to the Nasrid Palaces**: 8 €.

Evening ticket to Generalife: 5 €.

Visit to the gardens: 7 €.

* A day ticket includes admission to the Alcazaba, Charles V Palace, Nasrid Palaces, Generalife, Mosque Baths, and the main gardens of the complex.

** The ticket to the Nasrid Palaces indicates the visiting time. Every half hour a group of up to 300 tourists is organized. If you arrive at the wrong time, the ticket becomes invalid, and if at the specified time, then you can stay on the territory of the palaces for more than half an hour.

Attention! The number of visitors per day is limited. You can buy a ticket in advance on the website: https://tickets.alhambra-patronato.es/.

• Discounts apply for schoolchildren and Euro youth card holders< 26 и Euro < 30, лиц старше 65 лет, пенсионеров ЕС и инвалидов.
• For children under 12 years of age, entry to the Alhambra is free.

You can book on our website, so you will have the opportunity to be close to one of the main attractions of Spain. You can also go to the neighboring city of Malaga, where there are several interesting places, for example, on the mountain of the same name.

This is an architectural composition that is an outstanding achievement of Moorish architects throughout Western Europe. It is located on a rocky plateau in the southeastern part of Granada and includes beautiful palaces, paradise gardens and an ancient fortress. Every year, millions of tourists come to the south of Spain to see this miracle of Moorish architecture with their own eyes.

The name Alhambra is translated from Arabic as “red castle”. Some associate the origin of the name with the sun-dried clay from which the palaces are made, others believe that the name came from the red torches that illuminated the area during the construction of the palaces.

History of the Alhambra

The development of the Alhambra began during the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula by Muslims, who settled in southern Spain in the 8th century. During the reign of the Nasrid dynasty (1230-1492), Granada received the status of the capital of the Emir of Granada - the Moorish possessions in Spain.

The Moorish emirs wished to create a piece of paradise in places remote from home - this is how the Alhambra arose among the gardens of Granada, which became the residence of the conquering emirs. At that time, the complex, surrounded by high walls with towers, included residential buildings, mosques, gardens, baths, warehouses and a cemetery. Only palaces built in the 14th century have survived to this day.

The interior decoration of the Alhambra complex harmoniously combines picturesque gardens and courtyards, decorated with fountains, ponds and canals with many exquisite arches, columns and carved windows. All this is decorated with traditional Arabic scripts, colorful ceramic mosaics, floral patterns and carved patterns in stone and wood.

The most important role in the composition of the Alhambra is given to water and light. Surrounded by fragrant vegetation, water shimmers in many fountains and gurgles merrily in canals and cascades.

The water that flowed into fountains and canals from the Sierra Nevada mountain peaks was greatly valued by the Moors. And in general, streams, fountains and waterfalls are no less a characteristic feature for the Arabs than columns for the Greeks.

The Alhambra consists of a complex of courtyards, rooms, towers and passages, each of which had its own purpose. The names speak for themselves:

• The “Myrtle Courtyard” is decorated with evergreen myrtle trellises.
• The “Hall of the Two Sisters” is so named because of the two large white marble slabs built into the floor.
• “The Courtyard of the Lions” got its name thanks to the fountain installed on the backs of 12 lions.

The Chamber of Ambassadors was created to conduct official ceremonies and celebrations. The dome of the room is decorated with a shimmering star pattern.

Separately, it is worth noting the numerous towers of the Alhambra with beautifully decorated halls, swimming pools and stunning views from their tops.

The most recent building, the Palace of Carlos V, stands out sharply against the background of all the buildings. It was built in the 16th century and is a square structure with a circular courtyard with Tuscan columns on the lower floor and an Ionic colonnade on the upper. Currently, various concerts are held in the palace. Also located in the interior are the Granada Museum of Fine Arts and the Archaeological Museum of the Alhambra.

Where is the Alhambra

The Alhambra Palace is located at Calle Real de la Alhambra, s/n, 18009 Granada, Spain

Phone:+34 958 02 79 71

- This is a fortress-castle from the time of Moorish rule in Spain. After restoration in the 19th and 20th centuries, this delightful architectural complex was transformed into one of the most famous Spanish attractions.

(Alhambra) is a masterpiece of Moorish architecture and arouses interest among tourists from all over the world. More than two million travelers visit the oldest castle in Granada every year.

History of the Alhambra in Granada

On the hill where the Alhambra in Granada is now located, there stood an ancient, dilapidated fortress. The chronicle first mentions it in 889. Only in the 11th century was the citadel annexed to the medina, a quarter that was able to exist separately from the city during the blockade.

In 1238, Muhammad ibn Nasr, Caliph of Granada, chose the Alhambra as his residence. He ordered that the palace be fortified. This is how the Hommage and Observation towers appeared. His successors, Muhammad II and Muhammad III, continued what they started. During the reign of Muslim emirs, the river direction around the hill underwent a change. And on the vacated territory, warehouses and bathhouses appeared, with the help of which it was possible to wait out the long blockade.

The Alhambra fortress became a real palace and a rich royal residence in the 14th century under Emir Yusuf I, and then his successor, Muhammad V. During their reign, a Palace of Lions, new gates and baths, and the walls were decorated with carved ornaments on plaster.

After the reconquest in 1492, Granada and the Iberian Peninsula were freed from Moorish rule. And the Alhambra was already transformed by representatives of the Spanish monarchy. In the 16th century, Charles V became the owner of a personal palace built on its territory - for which some of the original buildings were demolished. The Alhambra ensemble itself was also damaged, as many decorative elements were lost or deliberately destroyed.

The desire to exterminate Islam in the appearance of the palace led to the fact that even the decorative plaster was painted over. And one of the buildings was rebuilt into a palace with Italian features. The restoration of the Alhambra, left to collapse, began in the 19th century. But the result was not very successful.

Over the next 60 years, the dynasty of architects J. Osorio began a unique reconstruction of the Alhambra Palace in Granada. But much of the image of the castle was simply invented. Therefore, in the 20th century, the architect-restorer Leopoldo Balbas needed to correct the mistakes of his predecessors based on a thorough study of historical documents.

What to see in the Alhambra

Today's Alhambra in Granada is an architectural and park complex with a fortress, palaces (they house museums) and gardens. The Alhambra is divided into several spaces corresponding to the stages of its transformation.

The oldest part of the Alhambra is Alcazaba (name in Arabic of the strengthened city residence of the ruler) At first it was the residence of the first caliphs from the Nasrid clan. Then it served as the military citadel of the complex, and the caliphs settled in the newly rebuilt palace.

The following towers remained intact in Alcazaba:

• Ruined and Honorable towers, which stand in front of the entrance of the fort.
• The Broken Tower, so named because of the crack that cuts through it from top to bottom. The cores lie in the middle niche of the structure.
• Hommaja - a 26 m high tower partially served as a prison and food warehouse.
• The four-story Watchtower, whose height is 26.8 m, is decorated with arches mounted on pylons. The bell on its western façade was restored after being struck by lightning in 1882.
• Cubic and Semicircular, on which observation platforms are located.

The Alcazaba Armory Square contains the foundations of military barracks, the remains of a water tank and the entrance to the underground prison.

The Nasrid Palace consists of three large complexes.

• Meshuar is a building for receptions and courts.
• Comares Palace is the government residence of the Caliph. The walls of the building are lined with tiles. Together with the filigree wall carvings, a wonderful atmosphere is created here. In the Myrtle Courtyard at the Nasrid Palace there is a pond bordered by a hedge of myrtle.
• The Palace of Lions with its courtyard of lions was the chambers of Caliph Mohammed V. The style of the building shows features of Christian art. A courtyard with a fountain surrounded by 12 sculptures of the kings of the forests is surrounded by arches with 124 pylons. The entrance hall to the Palace of Lions, the Hall of Stalactites and the luxurious texture of the castle walls with records from the Koran preserve the Moorish style of architecture. The Boat Hall in the Palace of Lions - with walls decorated with stucco depicting the Nasrid emblem. The decor also includes Mozarabic bowls and muqarnas (cellular vaults). At the entrance to the Hall of the Abencerrachs there are two arches with a passage between them. The hall walls are decorated with arches and tiles in the Renaissance style, and the pylons are made of blue beams. Painted ceilings and honeycomb vaults add beauty to the space.

The building in the style of the Italian Renaissance took a long time to build and received its current appearance in the 20th century. The ground floor houses the Alhambra Museum, where artifacts found by archaeologists during excavations are exhibited. The second floor of the castle is furnished as the Granada Museum of Fine Arts. The Temple of Santa Maria has been located near the Palace of Charles V since 1618, when its construction was completed on the site of the previous mosque. The castle has a Round Court, its diameter is 30 meters.

Upper Alhambra in Granada

This part of the attraction primarily consists of gardens planted where there once was a city block. It is worth mentioning the gardens of Adarve, Partal and Generalife (the latter with the official country residence of the kings of the same name).

Useful information about the Alhambra

6 interesting features of the attraction

1. Alhambra means “red castle” in Arabic. According to some reports, this name is inspired by the similarity with the tonality of building clay dried under the sun. According to another version, the name of the attraction was given by the “red flames of torches” that illuminated the castle during the periods of construction.
2. The names of the Alhambra buildings are also filled with eloquence. Thus, the Hall of Two Sisters received its designation due to the 2-dimensional white marble slabs built into the floor.
3. Poets of the Middle Ages presented the Alhambra in their works as an “emerald pearl,” emphasizing its beauty in the green of the forest plants, the blue of the sky and the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains.
4. The first liturgy took place in the Church of Santa Maria after the city was delivered from the Moors.
5. The Hall of the Abencerrachs in the Palace of the Lions has a marble shell in the middle with rust-like stains. According to legend, they arose soon after the guillotine of all the rulers from the Abencerrach dynasty.
6. The Comares Tower behind the Myrtle Court is the tallest of its kind in the Alhambra. It reaches a height of 45 m.

Price includes visit Alcazaba, Nasrid Palace and Upper Alhambra. Visiting the Charles V Palace, the Alhambra Museum and the Muslim Bath is free for everyone.

Tickets to the Alhambra better to buy in advance. During the tourist season, tickets for the current and upcoming dates may not be available. The average visit time to the Alhambra is 3 hours.

When purchasing tickets, you must select the date and time of your visit. If you do not arrive at the appointed time, the tickets will be lost, and cost is not refundable. You can buy tickets online or check their availability on the official website: https://tickets.alhambra-patronato.es/

Other ticket options for the Alhambra:

• Visit to the Alhambra without the Nasrid Palace: 7 euros
• Night visit to the Nasrid Palaces: 8 euros
• Night visit to the Gardens and Generalife: 5 euros
• Visit to the Alhambra without the Nasrid Palace + Night visit to the Nasrid Palace: 14 euros (for two consecutive days)
• Visit to the Alhambra + Rodriguez Acosta Foundation: 17 euros

How to get to the Alhambra:

• Walking distance from Plaza Nueva along the historical beautiful streets (about 1150 m before the entrance to the Alhambra)
• Walking from the slope Cuesta del Rey Chico between the walls of the citadel and beautiful panoramas
  (about 860 m before the entrance to the Alhambra)
• By bus: lines C30, C32, C35
• By car: via Ronda Sur (A-395) of the city, as private transport is prohibited from accessing the Alhambra from the city center

The Alhambra is a monument of Moorish architecture, an incredible complex. Palace, towers, gardens, fountains and, of course, history! Inside there are observation decks with beautiful views of Granada, the mountains and the surrounding area. It is best to visit on weekday mornings, as there are many people interested.

Alhambra, photo Alexwing

Alhambra translated from Spanish means “Red Castle”. The Alhambra is located in the city. The architectural ensemble of the castle is visible from afar. The red stone fortress blends into the red-brown ferruginous soil of La Sibica Hill.

The Alhambra is a grandiose structure: a complex of gardens and palaces united by fortress walls. The road from Granada to the fortress passes through a beautiful park along the slopes of Cuesta de Gomeres. The main entrance to the complex is the Gate of Justice, created in 1348. This is a monumental brick vaulted arch built in the shape of a horseshoe.

Behind the arch there is the Wine Gate - Puerta del Vin, then - Plaza de Los Algibes. Behind this square is the entrance to the palace complex.

The Alhambra was once the political center and residence of the emirs of Granada. The creation of Moorish architects was called “earthly paradise”, “Eighth wonder of the world”. Emirate of Granada in the XIII-XIV centuries. was the richest state in Spain. During this period, Arab rule in the Pyrenees entered its last phase. The Alhambra citadel became the last Muslim stronghold on the peninsula.

The construction of the Nasrid fortress and palace complex began in 1238 by Muhammad ibn Nasr. It was a bold and extremely expensive project. Arab engineers had to regulate the flow of water running from the peaks of the Sierra Nevada so that mountain moisture fed all the palace gardens, ponds, and fountains.

The complex consisted of several open palace rooms: Mechoires, Comares and the Palace of the Lions; patios and gardens with artificial ponds. All rooms were grouped around two main courtyards: Lion and Myrtle, connected by a passage.

Myrtle Court

The Myrtle Courtyard (Patio de los Arrayanes) has preserved its solemn and ceremonial appearance even today. This is a representative example of Moorish gardening art. In the center of the territory there is a large pond surrounded by myrtle trees. The end sides of the platform are decorated with semi-arches standing on columns.

Nasrid Palace. Scheme

At the northern edge of the Myrtle Court stands the Comares Tower Palace with a throne room called the “Chamber of Ambassadors.” The dome of this luxurious room is decorated with patterns of twinkling stars, and the walls from top to bottom are decorated with the finest elegant carvings. The shimmer of the interior surfaces comes from rays of light entering through the intricate carvings of the interior windows. Stalactites cascade down from the carved cedar ceiling.

Mechoir

Mexuar is the oldest of the palace buildings. It was partially destroyed and rebuilt into a Christian church, so the original decoration was not completely preserved. Particularly noteworthy in this building are the tiled plinth panels and the magnificent belvedere-oratory. Mechouar and the Comares Palace are connected by the Golden Room.

The small elegant Lion's Courtyard (Patio de los Leones) was the center of the palace's living quarters during the time of emirs Ibn Nasr. It is surrounded by graceful porticoes, and in the middle of the courtyard there is a beautiful fountain. A marble bowl of an artificial reservoir lies on the backs of twelve stone lions (this fountain was created as an allegorical embodiment of the throne of King Solomon).

On three sides of the Lion Court there are palace premises: the Hall of Stalactites (Sala de los Mocárabes), the Hall of the Abencerrajes (Longbeards) and the Hall of the Two Sisters (Sala de las Dos Hermanas) (women's residence). Magnificent painted majolica has been preserved on the walls of these ancient halls, and the ceilings are decorated with carved knocks. Mosaics, colored marble, painted alabaster and ceramics were used to decorate the cornices and arches. Complex and multi-colored decorative patterns consist of an interweaving of plant motifs with Arabic script and geometric patterns.

Alhambra architecture

The architects of the Alhambra had to use the entire arsenal of visual means known to them and use all their imagination to create a palace unsurpassed in luxury. All the decorative elements of the complex were carefully calculated, but at first glance they give the impression of some irrationality. Excesses and pompous decor suppress the rational principle. An outside observer has no idea: what are all these multiple double columns and pointed arches that fill the courtyards in abundance?

This exaggerated luxury has both a deep original intention and a practical grain. In the Alhambra complex everything is organic: stone, greenery, water. Streams of water in thin invisible streams and quite tangible fountains run through the marble slabs and spread over the surface of internal reservoirs. There is no confusion here - the direction of movement of water and the point of impact of water jets are precisely calculated. Everything has a regular, organized geometric shape: ponds, trees, neatly trimmed bushes. The vertical jets of the fountains echo the verticals of the slender columns.

Nature in the Alhambra

Mirador de Daraxa - covered balcony of the Hall of the Two Sisters, overlooking the Lindaraja courtyard (Patio de Lindaraja)

Nature in the Alhambra is controlled, artificially organized - “fettered”, according to observers. Against this background, the architecture looks strikingly animated. The walls and vaults of the palaces look “alive”. Colorful motifs of wall and ceiling ornaments flicker in the rays of light, and stalactites descend from the vaults in abundance. The decorative design of the entire complex follows a special rhythm, repeating similar elements in different combinations. In the Alhambra complex, Muslim architecture in Spain found its highest manifestation and exhausted itself, giving way to new values.

Construction of the Palace of Charles V on the east side of Plaza los Algibes began in 1526, but for a number of reasons it remained unfinished. The construction was led by architect Pedro Machuca. This palace differs from the surrounding buildings in its pronounced Renaissance appearance. Now it houses the Alhambra Museum (Museo de la Alhambra) and the Granada Museum of Fine Arts (Museo de Bellas Artes de Granada). A collection of Spanish-Muslim art and a collection of works of art by masters of the Granada school are exhibited here.

Church of Santa Maria

Next to the Palace of Charles V stands the Church of Santa Maria. It was built between 1581 and 1618. on the site of the former mosque of the Alhambra Palace. The first mass was celebrated in this temple after the liberation of the city from the rule of the Moors.

The luxurious Generalife gardens have been created since the beginning of the 16th century. In this park complex, the Irrigation Canal Courtyard is considered the most spectacular object. At the beginning of the 17th century, the Alhambra Forest Park (Bosque de la Alhambra) was laid out, framing the Alhambra fortress on the north and southwest sides.

Scheme of the Alhambra in Russian

Working hours

October 5 – March 14:
Mon-Sun 8:30 - 18:00 - daytime visit;
Fri, Sat 20:00-21:30 - evening visit.

March 15 – October 14:
Mon-Sun 8:30 - 20:00 - daytime visit;
Tue-Sat 22:00-23:30 - evening visit.

How to get there

Take bus 30 to the Gate of Justice (Puerta de la Justica).

Which ticket to the Alhambra should I buy?

It is better to buy tickets to the Alhambra Palace in advance, as visitor access is limited.

You can purchase them in different ways:

• buy at the box office on the day of your visit;
• online at . This is the best option - you will save time and definitely get to the palace. You can purchase no more than 10 tickets at a time;
• order by phone +34934923750 from 08:00 to 24:00.

The cost of a full day ticket is €14;
at night – €8;
children under 12 years old – free;
Alhambra Gardens only – €7.

There is an audio guide in Russian for €6.

Types of tickets to the Alhambra

I recommend taking the Alhambra General ticket for €14. It includes entry to the Alhambra, timed entry to the Royal Palace (Palacios Nazaríes), the Generalife Gardens and the Alcazaba Fortress. In short, everything there is, but without an unnecessary guide.

If you want to save money, then take a €7 ticket. It includes entrance to the Alhambra, the Generalife Gardens and the Alcazaba Fortress. There is only the Royal Palace. This ticket does not need to be purchased in advance.

How to buy tickets without queuing or if tickets are sold out?

There is a great option to get into the Alhambra without queuing, even if there are no tickets on the website anymore! To do this, buy a city map. It includes:

• Alhambra and Generalife (+ Nasrid Palace)
• Granada Cathedral
• Royal Chapel
• Monastery of Cartuja
• Monastery of San Jeronimo
• Science Park Museum
• Caja Museum Granada
• City buses: 5 trips on the local network

Buy Alhambra Card →

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It’s very simple - look not only on booking. I prefer the search engine RoomGuru. He searches for discounts simultaneously on Booking and on 70 other booking sites.

:  /  (G) (O) 37.176944 , -3.59 37°10′37″ n. w. 3°35′24″ W d. /  37.176944° s. w. 3.59° W d.(G) (O)

Inclusion 1984 (8th session) Extensions 1994 * Name in official Russian. list
** Title in official English. list
***Region according to UNESCO classification

Name "Allah"

Patios, walkways, fountains and ponds combine beautifully with each other. Ceramic tiles, stone and wood carvings, fancy floral patterns and Arabic script form a lush decorative decoration of arches, vaults, graceful columns, slender columns and carved patterned windows. The Alhambra is considered by many to be the highest achievement of Moorish art in Western Europe.

Light and water play an important role in the overall composition. In a corner of the park, designed with terraces, water gurgles. It foams in cascades, sparkles with the splashes of fountains, runs briskly along canals and pours, filling ponds and reservoirs. All this is surrounded by cypress alleys, orange trees, flowering flower beds against the backdrop of mountain peaks covered with eternal snow and a bright blue sky.

Story

The hill of La Sabica, most of which is occupied by the Alhambra, has been inhabited since pre-Roman times. The first fortress was built here by the Arabs; she was called Ilbira (Elvira in Spanish). At the end of the 9th century. the leader of the uprising in the Cordoba Caliphate, Savwar ibn Hamdun al-Mukharibi, took refuge here. This place is not mentioned further for a long time - until the 11th century, when the dilapidated fortification was rebuilt by Shmuel ha-Nagid (993-1055/1056), vizier of the Emir of Granada Badis ibn Habus from the Zirid dynasty. Before the accession of the Nasrids, the Alhambra was simply a fortified quarter (medina). It could exist independently of the city: there was a ruler’s palace, schools, craft workshops, etc.

In the XVI-XVII centuries. the Church of Santa Maria was built on the site of the mosque, and the palace of Charles V appeared next to the palace complex.

• Lion's courtyard (Patio de los Leones). The central courtyard of the palace, surrounded along the perimeter by arched galleries, similar to the galleries of the Myrtle Courtyard, but mostly with double columns, the total number of which is 124. The entrances to the apartments are mainly highlighted by protruding porticoes. The surrounding houses are covered with gabled tiled roofs. In the middle of the courtyard is located Lions Fountain (Fuente de los Leones), depicting twelve stylized lions holding a twelve-sided bowl on their backs. For a long time there was a version that the figures of lions were made back in the 11th century. and come from the house of the vizier Shmuel ha-Nagid, and since he was a Jew, they supposedly symbolized the twelve tribes of Israel. However, during the restoration of the fountain at the beginning of the 21st century. It turned out that both the lions and the bowl were made during the construction of the palace, that is, in the second half of the 14th century. The bowl is also decorated with poems by Ibn Zamrak.
• Hall of Stalactites (Sala de los Mocarabes). It served as a vestibule for entering the palace. The name owes to the muqarna ceiling, which was badly damaged by the explosion of a gunpowder magazine in 1590 and replaced; from 1863 remains of the original ceiling can be seen. Bordered along the ceiling is a rich frieze of plaster stucco with Nasrid inscriptions and mottos. It has three arched entrances to the Lion's Courtyard.
• Hall of the Abencerrachs (Sala de los Abencerrajes). Located in a building on the south side of the Lion's Courtyard. The name is due to the legend according to which 37 representatives of the noble Abencerrach family were killed here during the festival on the denunciation of a hostile family: supposedly one of the Abencerrachs was close to the Sultan’s wife. The rust stains in the dodecagonal central fountain are associated with their blood. The most noticeable thing about this hall is the star-shaped dome, made of muqarnas, with windows giving soft light. The walls are decorated with plaster stucco, below - tiles from the 16th century.
• Hall of Kings (Sala de los Reyes). Closes the Lion's Courtyard from the east. Perhaps it was a living room and recreation room. Divided by paired arches into three square sections. The name is due to the painting on the ceiling of the central section, made on leather and glued: ten seated characters are depicted in characteristic oriental clothing, in turbans and with sabers, talking with each other - according to one version, these are the ten first emirs of the Nasrid dynasty. Until the 19th century they were considered judges, and the hall was called Hall of Justice (Sala de la Justicia). The ceiling of the two side sections depicts gallant scenes with the participation of gentlemen and ladies; here you can also see the influence of Christian art.
• Hall of Two Sisters (Sala de las Dos Hermanas). The central room of the Sultana's chambers. It owes its name to two large marble floor slabs separated by a fountain. Particularly impressive here is the octagonal dome with muqarnas, which rests on trompas, also covered with muqarnas. The walls are covered with the finest knock carvings, where you can see the Nasrid mottos. There are mezzanines above the doors.
• Hall of the Biforians (Sala de los Ajimeces). Adjacent to the north to the Hall of the Two Sisters. So named because of the biforium windows (with two openings separated by a column) of paired balconies on the north wall overlooking the garden. The dome is made of muqarnas, re-covered in the 16th century, the walls are covered with plaster stucco.
• Mirador Daracha (Mirador de Daraxa). Covered balcony of the Hall of the Two Sisters, overlooking Lindarach's courtyard (Patio de Lindaraja). The first in the suite of rooms of the harem. The name is from the distorted Arabic “I-ain-dar-aisha” (“Eyes of the Sultana”). It has low windows (for those sitting on the floor), the central one is double arched, and the side windows are single. Originally, before the construction of the chambers of Charles V, it overlooked the valley of the Darro River. Plaster stucco with poems by Ibn Zamrak, black, white and yellow tiled plinth, coffered ceiling.
• Chambers of Charles V (Habitaciones de Carlos V), or Emperor's chambers (Habitaciones del Emperador). Six rooms (corridor, office, reception room, bedrooms of the emperor and empress, Hall of Fruits) were added to the palace in 1528-1537, resulting in the formation of the Lindaracha courtyard. In them one could walk through the former palace baths. Architect - Pedro Machuca. According to legend, it was in these chambers that the future Philip II was conceived. Washington Irving stayed in Fruit Hall in 1829, as commemorated by a plaque hung in 1914.
• Queen's Boudoir (Peinador de la Reina, until the 18th century. could also be called Tocador or Mirador). Rooms on the top floor of the Al-Hajjaj Tower (part of the title of Yusuf I), which adjoins the chambers of Charles V, completed especially for Empress Isabella of Portugal around 1537 and painted 1539-1546. They consist of an entrance hall, a boudoir proper (study) with Arabic arched windows and open galleries. Artists Julio Aquiles and Alexander Miner painted these rooms with grotesques, floral patterns, putti figures, mythological and allegorical subjects; the cycle of frescoes in the hallway is dedicated to the siege of Tunis by Charles V in 1535.
• Yard Lattice (Patio de la Reja), or Cypress (Patio de los Cipreses). Created between the wall, the building of the baths and the chambers of Charles V at the same time as the latter were built; received its name from the lattice of the balcony on the southern wall, made in 1654-1655 for the passage between the Comares Palace and the emperor's chambers. There is a marble fountain in the middle, and centenary cypress trees in the four corners.

Palace of Charles V

Palace of Charles V (Palacio de Carlos V) began to be built by the architect Pedro Machuca for the emperor next to the Nasrid palaces in 1527, but in 1568 construction was suspended for 15 years due to the Morisco revolt. The Renaissance architecture of the palace in the spirit of Italian mannerism (the architect lived in Italy for a long time) contrasts sharply with the neighboring buildings. After the death of Pedro Machuca in 1550, the work was continued by his son Luis (who built the round courtyard), Juan de Orea and Juan de Minjares also worked here. However, the palace was completed until 1957, which is why it bears the imprint of different eras. The palace is square in plan (63 x 17.4 m), but has an internal round courtyard (30 m in diameter). It has two floors, on the facades of which pilasters alternate with pairs of windows - rectangular and round on top. The first floor is in the Tuscan order style and is rusticated, with decorative iron rings attached to the pilasters for tying horses. On the second floor there is a series of balconies, its windows are more richly decorated, and the pilasters are of the Ionic order. The main entrance on the east side is highlighted by four groups of Doric columns, on the pediment above the main door there is an allegorical figure of Granada. From the courtyard, both floors form galleries, the first with Doric columns, the second with Ionic ones.

Since 1958, on the second floor of the building there has been Granada Museum of Fine Arts (Museo de Bellas Artes de Granada), since 1994 in the southern wing of the first floor - Alhambra Museum (Museo de la Alhambra), a museum of Islamic art, which exhibits mainly archaeological finds made in the Alhambra itself.

Partal

Name " Partal» ( Partial, from the Arabic word meaning "portico") is the area east of the Nasrid Palace. Occasionally it is called fig tree courtyard (Patio de la Higuera). A significant part of it previously consisted of Palace Partal (Palacio del Partal), or Portico Palace (Palacio del Portico), built earlier than the Nasrid palaces - at the beginning of the 14th century, under Muhammad III. Very little remains of this palace; the largest of its buildings is Dam Tower (Torre de las Damas), or Prince's Tower (Torre del Príncipe), built into the outer wall. Its portico with five arched entrances opens onto a rectangular pond, like those of other palaces. The interior decoration is also similar: multi-colored tiles at the bottom of the walls, plaster stucco above them, and a wooden ceiling. At the top there is a turret (mirador), which overlooks the valley of the Darro River, as does the lower square hall. According to legend, it was from this tower that the future emir Boabdil fled to his rebel supporters. In the second half of the 19th century. there was a private residence here; in 1865, the land with this building was bought by the German banker Arthur von Gwinner; in 1891, he donated it to the Spanish state, but in return received permission to remove the decorative ceiling. Since 1978, the ceiling has been exhibited at the Museum of Islamic Art in Berlin. The restoration of the tower was completed in 1924.

There are also nine Arab houses, possibly of later construction, between the reservoir and the palace complex; in one of them you can see frescoes from the mid-14th century. depicting scenes of hunting, war, fantastic animals. To the right of the Dam Tower, also in the wall, is located Chapel (Oratorio del Partal), or Mihrab Tower (Torre del Mihrab), decorated with plaster stucco and accordingly having a mihrab facing east.

To the south of this zone are Partal gardens (Jardines del Partal), on the territory where the dwellings of Arab nobles used to be. Even further south it once stood Palace of Yusuf III (Palacio de Yusuf III), from which only the foundations have survived, and in the place of the central courtyard there is a reservoir. After the Spanish conquest, it housed the alcaldes (governors) of Granada and was accordingly called the Palace of Mondejar or Tendilla (after their titles). In 1718, Philip V, as punishment for treason, deprived the then Comte de Tendilla of his title and position and ordered the palace to be demolished.

Upper Alhambra or Medina

The place where the Alhambra's residential area was located: mansions, simpler houses, bazaars, baths and a mosque. The palace staff lived here and craft workshops were located. Central Street, now called Royal Street (Calle Real), goes from the west, from the Wine Gate, to the east in the direction of the Generalife. An irrigation canal formerly ran parallel to it, called first the Sultansky and then the Royal.

• Church of Santa Maria de la Alhambra (Iglesia de Santa Maria de la Alhambra). Built in 1581-1618. on the site of the Great Mosque according to the plans of Juan de Herrera and Juan de Orea by the architect Ambrosio de Vico, who somewhat simplified them. It has the shape of a Latin cross in plan. The Baroque altar with twisted columns was made by Alonso de Mena in 1571, as well as the crucifix and statues of Sts. Ursula and Susanna. The main statue Holy Virgin of Sorrows (Virgen de las Angustias), which is a pieta, sculpted in 1750-1760. Torquato Ruiz del Peral. During Holy Week, this statue is solemnly carried in procession on a silver stretcher representing the arcades of the Lion's Courtyard.
• Rauda (Rauda, Rawda). This word means “gardens,” but on this site, adjacent to the Palace of Lions, there was a cemetery for members of the reigning house. It was found at the end of the 19th century; the graves turned out to be empty because Boabdil reburied his ancestors near the Mondujar castle. Adjacent to it Rauda gate (Puerta de la Rauda), preserved from Rauda towers (Torre de la Rauda), now restored; they led to the Palace of Lions. This is a quadrangular structure with an earthen dome and three horseshoe-shaped arches; the dome is painted with imitation brickwork.
• Baths at the Great Mosque (Baños de la Mezquita). Built in 1302-1309, rebuilt in the 19th century. and got the name "House of Polinario" (Casa del Polinario), since at that time there was a tavern there, which was kept by the singer and musician, cantaor Antonio Barrios, nicknamed "Polinario", the father of the famous composer and guitarist Angel Barrios. Since 1975, the Angel Barrios Museum has been located there.
• Former Monastery of San Francisco (Convento de San Francisco) built in 1495 on the foundations of a destroyed Arab palace. Catholic kings were initially buried in its belvedere before their remains were transferred to the Chapel Royal at the cathedral. In 1835 the building was converted into a commissary warehouse and residential building, and since 1928 it has housed landscape artists. Since 1954, in the former building of the monastery there has been a tourist hotel from the chain Paradors (Paradores) - Parador de Granada. The Royal Canal passed through his courtyard.
• Dry garden (Secano, literally "dry land"). This name appeared in the 16th century, when the aqueducts leading here were destroyed. Former territory of the crafts quarter; the foundations of houses, workshops, and pottery kilns are visible. Walks along it cypress alley, where the trees are trimmed in the shape of an arcade; This has been done since the thirties of the twentieth century so that tourists from the alley can see the quarter.
• Abencerrach Palace (Palacio de los Abencerrajes). It was built in the 13th century. and stood next to the tower of the same name; belonged to one of the most noble families of the emirate. In 1812 it was blown up by the French occupiers; Only the foundations, tower and pond survived.

Alhambra Towers

In addition to those already mentioned, the following towers have been preserved:

see also

Notes

Links

• // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: In 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional ones). - St. Petersburg. , 1890-1907.