Arab Civilization in Spain: The Alhambra
The Alhambra (Arabic: الْحَمْرَاء, trans. al-Ḥamrā; literally "the red one"), the complete form of which was Calat Alhambra (Arabic: الْقَلْعَةُ ٱلْحَمْرَاءُ, trans. al-Qal‘at al-Ḥamrā’, "the red fortress"), is a palace and fortress complex located in the Province of Granada, Spain. It was constructed during the mid 14th century by the Moorish rulers of the Emirate of Granada in al-Andalus, occupying the top of the hill of the Assabica on the southeastern border of the city of Granada.
The Alhambra's Moorish palaces were built for the last Muslim Emirs in Spain and its court, of the Nasrid dynasty. After the Reconquista (reconquest) by the Reyes Católicos ("Catholic Monarchs") in 1492, some portions were used by the Christian rulers. The Palace of Charles V, built by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor in 1527, was inserted in the Alhambra within the Nasrid fortifications.
source: Wikipedia
Plan of the Palace quarter of the Alhambra
( from Henri Stierlin, "Architecture de l'Islam," 1979)
( from Henri Stierlin, "Architecture de l'Islam," 1979)
Court of the Myrtles
Patio of Myrtles, Comares tower and its arcades reflect on the water surfice
The present entrance to the Palacio Árabe, or Casa Real (Moorish palace), is by a small door from which a corridor connects to the Patio de los Arrayanes (Court of the Myrtles), also called the Patio de la Alberca (Court of the Blessing or Court of the Pond), from the Arabic birka, "pool". The birka helped to cool the palace and acted as a symbol of power. Because water was usually in short supply, the technology required to keep these pools full was expensive and difficult. This court is 42 m (140 ft) long by 22 m (74 ft) broad, and in the centre there is a large pond set in the marble pavement, full of goldfish, and with myrtles growing along its sides. There are galleries on the north and south sides; the southern gallery is 7 m (23 ft) high and supported by a marble colonnade. Underneath it, to the right, was the principal entrance, and over it are three windows with arches and miniature pillars. From this court, the walls of the Torre de Comares are seen rising over the roof to the north and reflected in the pond.
Court of the Lions
Patio of the Lions, Chahar Bagh or quartered courtyard
In former times, this quadripartite garden enclosed with cloisters was a vast flowerbed filled with cheerful flowers of each season. The whole setting and arrangement like this is just a realization of the Heavenly Paradise on the earth, which is described in the "Qur'an" (Koran) and has been yearned by all Muslims.
The Court of the Lions (Spanish: Patio de los Leones - Arabic: بهو السباع) is the main court of the Nasrid dynasty Palace of the Lions, in the heart of the Alhambra, the Moorish citadel formed by a complex of palaces, gardens and forts in Granada, Spain. It was commissioned by the Nasrid sultan Muhammed V of the Emirate of Granada in Al-Andalus. Its construction started in the second period of his reign, between 1362 and 1391 AD.
source: Wikipedia
Hall of the Abencerrajes
Muqarnas (stalactite) ceiling of the Hall of Abencerrajes
source: Takeo Kamiya
image source: Wikipedia
The Sala de los Abencerrajes (Hall of the Abencerrages) derives its name from a legend according to which the father of Boabdil, the last sultan of Granada, having invited the chiefs of that line to a banquet, massacred them here. This room is a perfect square, with a lofty dome and trellised windows at its base. The roof is decorated in blue, brown, red and gold, and the columns supporting it spring out into the arch form in a remarkably beautiful manner. Opposite to this hall is the Sala de las dos Hermanas (Hall of the two Sisters), so-called from two white marble slabs laid as part of the pavement. These slabs measure 50 by 22 cm (15 by 7½ in). There is a fountain in the middle of this hall, and the roof —a dome honeycombed with tiny cells, all different, and said to number 5000— is an example of the "stalactite vaulting" of the Moors.
source: Wikipedia
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