The Alhambra is an architectural treasure of Spain and one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in the world. This majestic palace complex, towering over the city of Granada on the hill of La Sabica, was last resort Muslim rulers of Spain - the Nasrid dynasty (1230-1492).
View of the Alhambra from Albaycin Hill
Outside, the huge fortress-palace looks very impressive and gives the impression of a formidable military bastion. However, this impression is deceptive. Inside the complex are exquisite palaces and gardens of Arab rulers, entering which visitors find themselves in a world of harmony and dreams. The Alhambra is a characteristic example of the so-called Muslim "hidden architecture", which forms a zone of habitation inaccessible to a stranger. From the outside, it is impossible to evaluate a building built according to these principles: the most beautiful is hidden inside and is visible only to residents and guests. In the Alhambra, what from the outside seems to be a cluster of towers is in reality a miracle of thoughtful planning, the embodiment of ingenious engineering and fantastic beauty of decoration and decoration.
The construction of the fortress began in the middle of the 13th century and continued for 150 years. The foundation stone of the Alhambra was laid by order of Muhammad I ibn Nasr, who bore the nickname "Al-Ahmar" (Redhead). Having captured Granada in 1238 as a result of an internal internecine war, he began the construction of a citadel on the site of an old Arab fortress. The building was called the Alhambra (from the Arabic الحمراء), that is, “red” - this color had a material consisting of a mixture of stones, sand and clay and mined right under the feet of the builders, on the hill of La Sabica.
The first one was built (Torre de la Vela) or Lookout Tower (also known as Watchtower). Its height is 27 meters. From three sides, the tower is protected by steep slopes, which gave it huge advantages in defense. In the past, this building was also the center of the intelligence network created by Muhammad and the end point of the chain of signal towers. From the very Torre de la Vela offers a magnificent view of Granada.
Torre de la Vela
View of Granada from the Torre de la Vela
Torre de la Vela
Torre de la Vela
Behind the tower is a fortress, where the barracks of the military who defended the Alhambra were located, and a medina (city), in which the people who served the fortress lived. In addition to their houses in the medina, there were a bakery, a tannery and warehouses that ensured the livelihoods of the inhabitants of the medina. During the heyday of the Alhambra, Alcasba was inhabited by about 5 thousand inhabitants.
The heart of the Alhambra is (Los Palacios Nazaries), which belonged to the rulers of the Nasrid clan in the Granada Caliphate. The palaces, each one unique, were built one after the other by different emirs. Each emir wanted to surpass his predecessor, thereby leaving a mark on history. Thus, a complex of interconnected buildings was formed, which is considered one of the most refined, beautiful and sophisticated palace ensembles in the world. Nasrid palaces are conditionally divided into three parts: Meshwara, Komares Palace and the Lions Palace.
The Nasrid Palaces as seen from the Generalife
Upon entering the Nasrid Palaces, the visitor will first enter the oldest part of the complex called Meshwar, in another transcription - Mechouar or Mexuar(Mexuar). The name comes from the word maswar - the place where the council of ministers sits - "shura". Meshwar consists of several rooms and miniature courtyards. Rectangular gate Meshwara hall (Sala de Mexuar)- the first hall of the palace, where, according to some sources, the royal court was supposedly located, and according to others - a place of receptions and meetings. The upper part of the room is decorated with carved stucco (gypsum panels), and marble columns with Arabic-style capitals support a beautifully carved ceiling made of cedar. On the wall is made in the technique "zellige" colored mosaic in the form of arabesques. Under the Christian kings, the hall was rebuilt and served as a chapel, but then it was restored, partially returning its original appearance.
Adjacent to the Meshwar Hall is a small room overlooking the Albaicin area. It is assumed that this room was a chapel. Its walls are covered with quotes from the Koran. In the eastern part of the room there is a mihrab - a niche indicating the direction to Mecca, towards which every praying Muslim turns.
This is followed by one of the most interesting chambers of the Alhambra - the courtyard (Cuarto Dorado) or the courtyard of the Gilded Room. This is a charming courtyard with a fountain in the center. On the southern facade, the courtyard has double windows, which are closed with wooden bars ( "mashrabiya") created with pinpoint accuracy. The "Verses of the Throne" from the Koran are inscribed on the facade, which leads some scholars to believe that Cuarto Dorado was the main entrance to the palace.
The next part of the palace was official residence ruler. It was built under Yusuf I and received the name Palace of Comares (Palacio de Comares). She starts with myrtle courtyard (Patio de los Arrayanes)- one of the most famous places Alhambra. It captivates visitors with its sophistication and simplicity of lines. Inside a rectangular courtyard with an area of 36.6 by 23.5 meters there is a pond (34.7 by 7.2 meters). It is framed with marble slabs, and water flows into it from round fountains on both sides. Through the efforts of architects, water is supplied in such a way as not to disturb the even surface of the pond, and its barely audible murmur, which delights the ear, makes a pleasant impression. The pond itself was intended for breeding goldfish in it.
Behind the myrtle courtyard, on the north side, rises Comares tower (Torre de Comares)- the highest among the towers of the Alhambra. Its height reaches 45 meters. It houses the most majestic and central place in the palace complex Hall of Ambassadors (Salon de Embajadores). The dimensions and interior of this room were supposed to thrill visitors. During the reign of Yusuf I, the power of the Spanish Catholic kings became stronger, and when building the Hall of Ambassadors, the emir set himself the task of stunning and impressing his foreign guests, leaving power and impregnability in their memory protective structures Alhambra. The interior of the tower is a miniature model of the universe, in the center of which sat the ruler of the Granada Caliphate. The fantastic cedar ceiling of the hall, consisting of 8 thousand elements, symbolizes the seven heavens of the Muslim paradise. The walls are decorated with Arabic script praising Allah.
To the east of the Myrtle Yard are located Baths Comares (Baños de Comares). The premises of the hammams (so baths are called in Arabic) have hemispherical roofs with holes in the form of stars. Baths were heated by hot air, which flowed through pipes laid inside the walls and under the floor. Behind the wall was a cauldron in which water was heated for the baths. The floor and walls are decorated with elegant mosaics.
Palace Lions (Palacio de los Leones)- These are the private chambers of the ruler and his harem. It was erected during the reign of Emir Mohammed V. This is one of the most beautiful monuments of Arab-Islamic art. His heart is (Patio de los Leones), striking the viewer with its harmony, beauty and sophistication. Along its perimeter there is a colonnade of thin single and double columns, and on the east and west sides there are two graceful pavilions. An amazing sense of proportion and harmony is created thanks to the most accurate mathematical calculations, during which the Arab masters relied on the experience of antiquity.
In the center of the courtyard there is a fountain with sculptures of 12 lions, on the backs of which rests a bowl decorated with poems by the Arab poet Ibn Zamrak, praising the Emir: “God bless, who gave Imam Muhammad an abode, beauty surpassing others. Here is a garden containing marvels of art, the like of which God has forbidden to recognize anywhere else. Look at the solid mass of pearls, illuminating everything around and penetrating the air with a hail of tiny crystals ... ". Under the caliphs, a garden was laid out on the site of the courtyard. It was a place for the ruler's harem to walk.
The chambers of the palace, which the visitor enters from the Lion's Courtyard, are decorated with an amazing invention of Arab architects - a stalactite vault, the nature of which is very difficult to understand, just as it is difficult to assess its real proportions. During the day, along with the change in lighting, the appearance of the ceiling also changes, creating the illusion of movement. The most complex construction is based on precise mathematical calculations and philosophical ideas of Arab scientists.
On the south side of the Lion's Courtyard is Abenserrach Hall (Sala de los Abencerrajes), named after the tragic event - the slanderous murder of 37 people from the Abenserrach family. This building has an unusual dome in the form of an octagonal star, decorated with stalactites. Soft light pours in through the windows in the dome.
Hall of kings(Sala de los Reyes) is located on the east side of the Lion's Courtyard. The ceilings of the room are decorated with paintings depicting scenes of a lively conversation between ten people in Arabic clothes and ladies watching a jousting tournament. It is assumed that these paintings were made under the Catholic kings.
To the north of the Lion's Yard is Hall of the Two Sisters(Sala de las Dos Hermanas), so named because of the two identical slabs on the marble floor. The ceiling of the hall is decorated with a beautiful stalactite vault, and on the walls in round fragments of stucco (gypsum) decor, poems by the poet Ibn Zamrak are carved, glorifying the palace of Emir Muhammad V.
Poems of the poet Ibn Zamrak on the wall in the Hall of the Two Sisters
Passing from the hall in a northerly direction, the visitor enters a small hall with a double window. (Mirador de Daraxa) overlooking the Darahi garden. It is believed that the women of the harem rested in this small elegant room.
At the exit of the Nasrid Palaces is located (Torre de las Damas)- a small building with a tower, located opposite the pond. This building is what remains of the ruined Partal Palace. The ceiling of this structure was taken to Berlin by a German banker who owned this site in the 19th century. The ceiling is now on display at the Museum of Islamic Art, part of the Pergamon Museum in Berlin.
(Palacio de Carlos V), located next to the Nasrid Palace, was begun in the 14th century and completed only in the 20th. Inside it has a round courtyard with a diameter of 30 meters. On the ground floor of this building is Alhambra Museum (Museo de la Alhambra), which presents archaeological finds found during the excavations of the Alhambra. On the second floor is located Fine Arts Museum of Granada (Museo de Bellas Artes de Granada).
Above the Alhambra is the former summer residence of the emirs of Granada - the Generalife Palace and Gardens, which are described in a separate section.
From the side best view on the Alhambra opens from the Albaicín area. On the hill there is a special observation deck. In winter and spring, the view is especially beautiful due to the fact that the mountains of the Sierra Nevada, located behind the Alhambra, are covered with snow.
Tickets to the Alhambra.
The Alhambra is one of the most visited places in Spain. If you are traveling during the tourist season, it is best to buy tickets in advance so as not to stand in long queues and get into the Nasrid Palaces, which can only be entered in strictly certain time, which you specify when buying a ticket.
Tickets for the Alhambra can be purchased at www.alhambra-tickets.es (the official partner listed on the official website www.alhambra-patronato.es). Advance ticket sales are subject to an additional 1.3% fee. When buying at the box office or through the terminal on the day of visiting the Alhambra, the ticket price increases by 10%.
Types of tickets to the Alhambra:
General admission ticket: 13 euro. This ticket entitles you to visit the entire complex. It is necessary to keep it until the end of the visit to the Alhambra. At the entrance to the Nasrid Palaces and the residence of the Generalife there are additional turnstiles. When purchasing this ticket, you choose the time of your visit to the Nasrid Palaces. If you do not come to the Nasrid Palaces at the time stated on the ticket, the ticket will be canceled. Please note that it takes about 30 minutes to walk from the entrance to the Alhambra to the Nasrid Palaces.
Ticket to visit the Alhambra Gardens, Alcazaba and Generalife (Visit the Gardens, the Alcazaba fortress and Generalife): 7 euro. This ticket does not entitle you to see the most beautiful part of the Alhambra, the Nasrid Palaces.
Evening visit to the Nasrid Palaces ticket: 8 euro. In the evening, the palaces are beautifully illuminated. We recommend that if you have a few days in the Alhambra, visit the Nasrid Palaces both during the day and in the evening.
Ticket to visit the Generalife in the evening (Evening visit to the Generalife): 5 euros.
Blue subscription to the Alhambra bypass (Blue circular pass):15 euros. Entitles you to an evening visit to the Nasrid Palaces, and the next day to a visit to the Alhambra, Alcasba and Generalife Gardens,
Red subscription to bypass the Alhambra (Red circular pass): 100 euro. Entitles you to 15 visits to the Alhambra during the year. It includes 10 day and 5 night visits.
Be sure to take with you on your trip the bank card that you used to pay when buying tickets via the Internet!
After buying tickets via the Internet, before visiting the Alhambra, you must definitely get these tickets at special terminals located in the pavilion next to the ticket office at the main entrance. Each terminal (look at the labels on them) issues a certain type of ticket. If you bought tickets with a visit to the entire Alhambra complex, including the Nasrid Palaces, then look for the terminal with the inscription: Visita general (General visit). In the terminal, you must select the option "print already purchased tickets". Next, the machine will ask you to insert a bank card with which you paid for tickets via the Internet. After that, the machine will give you your tickets, which must be kept until the end of your visit to the Alhambra.
Terminal for obtaining a ticket General visit
At the entrance to the palace complex, you can pick up the Alhambra guide map free of charge.
It is best to visit the Alhambra during the tourist season in the early morning or evening to avoid being close to large tourist groups. The entrance to the Nasrid Palaces is located near the palace of Charles V.
There is a luggage storage at the main entrance to the Alhambra (Consigna/Lockers), open from 7.30 to 18.30 from November to February, and from 7.30 to 20.30 from March to October.
The climb up the mountain on which the Alhambra stands is quite difficult. We recommend that you get to the entrance to the palace complex by bus. White and red minibus number 30 goes along the main street Gran Via and across the square Plaza Nueva.
Bus number 30 to the Alhambra
Spain's advantage is budget holiday especially for those who want to travel abroad. Beaches, mountains, fabulous cities, colorful festivals, historical monuments, delicious food and, of course, the sun in almost all of Spain - this is a great holiday.
It's no surprise that Spain is one of the most popular European destinations for those looking to combine leisure and entertainment. Despite the economic crisis in the country, Russian travelers can find a list of budget hotels of various categories. For example, on the official website you can book a hotel on special offers.
Spain as a tourist destination
This country boasts a rich history and culture, as well as fantastic food, fine wine and famous sights. One of the main factors that attract emigrants here is the standard of living in Spain. Right now, for expats, Spain is more accessible than a few decades ago. For example, daily expenses can be very low.
Tourism in Spanish cities
A big plus for Spain is that it will be a tourist or a local resident, anyone can settle in Spain as comfortably as possible. The country is rich in museums, ancient castles, historical palaces, theaters - not only in the most big cities, such as Madrid and Barcelona, but also in smaller circles. TO small towns can be attributed to Alicante, San Sebastian, Torrevieja, etc. In all these small towns, less than half a million people live.
Note! Hotel prices drop sharply when the Spanish beach season (April-October) ends. For example, in Barcelona, a room in the four-star Vincci Gala hotel costs from 285 euros to 165 euros. The situation is similar in Madrid, with room rates at the four-star Las Letras Gran Via hotel ranging from €260 to €158.* However, not all cities offer very low rates. For example, in Seville, the maximum temperature drops to 20 degrees. Tourists come here every year from different countries to enjoy warm sunny days.
Some travelers like to come to Spain for the weekend. There is popular places holidays, which are considered the most budgetary. Locals and tourists from neighboring countries like to come for the weekend to Bilbao or to Barcelona's province of Sant Susanna. No less interesting is Granada. Old cultural city with its ancient history stands on three hills. All that fascinates tourists is the incredible atmosphere in the region, white quarters with new buildings and beautiful landscapes.
Description of Granada
Granada shown on a map of Spain
Traditional ancient city Granada is located in the eastern region of Andalusia, in the province of the same name. A distinctive feature of this magnificent city is its scenic diversity, architectural beauty and rich, distinguished history. Visiting this place, no one leaves without attention the magnificence of the Alhambra Palace, against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The Hanil River and its tributary Darro flow through this area.
Note! Every tourist should see the surroundings of Albaytsin. Today, it is a World Heritage Site.
Although the origin of the city dates back to the Ibero-Celtic era, most of the city was created during the Moorish occupation. The period of economic growth of Granada falls at a time when the dominance of the Caliphate of Cordoba was weakened, which marked the beginning of an influx of Muslims from Valencia, Cordoba and Seville into the city. In 1013, an independent Muslim state was founded in Granada.
The Albaicin area, which is located on a hill, has the name Medina or Kasbah, is very popular. The ancient Arab district has a beautiful labyrinth of narrow streets and lanes, with whitewashed houses and hidden indoor manicured gardens. Once you reach the top, you can walk to the Plaza de San Nicolás. From this place you can enjoy a magnificent view of the palace called the Alhambra Spain.
To the north of the city is the Sacromont Hill area, which is famous for its cave dwellings. They are still inhabited by locals. This area belonged to the gypsy community. Therefore, many famous musicians and flamenco dancers grew up in this passionate and fun area.
Important! You can visit the Nasrid Palace, which is located in the Alhambra, only with a special ticket. More than 30 people are not allowed into the mansion. The castle is open until 18:00.
Every tourist can get a lot of pleasure from exploring the streets of Granada. The charm of winding streets and impressive monuments, ancient buildings, does not leave many travelers indifferent.
The Moorish occupation of Granada literally shaped the city; when they crossed the strait and settled in what was then small town, they laid the foundations for what is now one of the most visited places in Spain.
In the ninth century, Granada Spain became an important city that reigned after the fall of the Caliphate of Córdoba. In the 12th century, Mohammed ben Nazar founded the Nasrid dynasty and the kingdom of Granada. During this period, an uprising against the Almoads was led. Thanks to the locals, the Arab ruler managed to create the Emirate of Granada. It was this period of his reign that went down in history as the heyday of the emirate. The Moorish fortress, which fell to Christian invaders at the end of the 15th century, still preserves the remains of the Arab heritage, both in its customs and architecture, in the royal palace of La Alhambra.
Weather conditions for recreation
Weather in Granada
It is important to note that the temperature in Granada differs from the nearest cities. Given the humidity, the temperature gets cold during half of the year. The region has a low chance of rainfall for 365 days. The area is less temperate than the immediate surroundings. On average, the maximum temperature reaches up to 39 degrees. To enjoy the sun, the warmest time to visit Granada is June, July, August. The hottest time of the year is usually recorded in early August, where the maximum temperature reaches around 98.1°F (36.7°C), rarely falling below 61.8°F (16.6°C) at night.
Spring (March to May)
Humidity and temperature combine to make the weather moderate. The high temperature ranges from 83.2°F (28.4°C) and 62.6°F (17°C). The chance of rain is quite low. During the month, precipitation is possible from 3 to 4 days. Spring is a great time for tourism. Immigrants come here in search of work.
Note! The city has a well-developed tourism industry.
Summer (June to August)
From June to August, quite pleasant weather is recorded for relaxing on the beach. During the day from 12:00 to 15:00 fixed heat. These months see the least rainfall. June - August is the busiest season for tourism in Granada, so accommodation and other services can be more expensive than usual.
Autumn (September to November)
Temperatures in autumn range between 88.8°F (31.6°C) and 56.9°F (13.8°C), which is comfortable for sightseeing. Rains here are extremely rare, usually from 3 to 5 days a month. During this period, hotel prices drop sharply. Therefore, this is the ideal time for budget travelers.
Winter (December to February)
It's too cold in Granada at this time of the year. average temperature during this season is 62.6°F (17°C) and 55.1°F (12.8°C). In winter, the city becomes boring.
Spanish winter
Description of attractions in Granada
Granada Spain offers guests attractions that have been preserved since the 15th century. Among them should be highlighted:
Palace of Charles V, which was built in 1526. The Spaniard Charles V, after taking the complex, rebuilt some of the buildings. The palace complex is the National Museum of Spanish-Muslim Art. On the territory of the complex are the Alhambra Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts (Caliphate).
Navas Street is one of the most popular and favorite places for tourists. There are bars and restaurants along this street.
The Generalife is the summer residence of the Mauritanian Parvitae. On the territory of the Alhambra there are luxurious gardens with fruit trees and fountains. The Generalife Mansion is the summer palace of the Sultan.
Alhambra Mansion - what a tourist should see
Alhambra: Emir's palace in the Spanish city of Granada
The Alhambra in Spain is an Arab palace complex located a few kilometers from the central part of the city. Translated from Arabic means Red Arabic chronicler Ibn Khatib. Most of the Alhambra itself is made up of a series of carved halls and courtyards, considered an example of the Moorish style and miraculously preserved to this day. The terraces rise through the steps to the top of the hill. In order to look at the magnificence of the Alhambra Palace in the city of Granada, you need to walk along the steep cobbled streets of the old district. For more curious tourists, Spanish guides offer to look at the castle via satellite.
Often travelers wonder how easy it is to get to the Alhambra. In fact, tourists are advised to go to the Alhambra castle early in the morning (on foot). In the summer, it is better to buy a ticket online in advance so as not to stand in line. Tourists are usually offered a "blue subscription". The ticket price is 20 euros. The price includes admission to the complex and the gardens of the Generalife.
Important! In order to buy a ticket to the fortress magnificent Alhambra you need to go to the official website. this portal also contains the address of the complex.
What a tourist should know
Going for a walk, you should take a copy of your identity document with you, as well as a hotel card. All valuables should be kept in hotel room, in the safe. Motorists should also remember that leaving any valuables in the car is very dangerous.
Note! Most shops and shopping centers works from 9:00 to 20:00. Small shops may have a lunch break during the day, while large supermarkets and shopping malls work without interruption. Saturday is considered a shortened working day, and Sunday is a day off.
In conclusion, it should be noted that when going for a walk in remote areas, it is better not to walk along unfamiliar streets at night. Tourists are advised to use the services of a guide. Vacationers should carefully look after their belongings (bag, camera, mobile device, etc.).
*Prices are valid for summer 2018.
The fact that a number of historical monuments included in the list of world attractions of the "Protection of Humankind". Wherever the traveler finds himself on his way along the roads of Spain, everywhere he will meet with the mysterious past, represented by impressive monuments and monuments - silent witnesses of the glory and power of empires of different eras.
Spain survived the period of Roman rule, as evidenced by Roman aqueducts, elements of ancient theaters and arenas, watchtowers and defensive buildings.
A significant trace in the culture of the peninsula was left by the Arabs, whose dominance lasted for almost eight centuries, starting from the 8th century AD. by the most famous building of that era, made in an inimitable oriental style, is the grandiose Alhambra Palace (“Red Castle”), located in the vicinity of Granada.
Location of the Alhambra Palace
Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula, the southernmost point of which is separated from only a narrow strip of the Strait of Gibraltar (width - 14 km). Separated from neighboring Spain by the rugged Pyrenees, which has led to its relative isolation from Europe for centuries.
The magnificent Alhambra is one of the sights of Spain, located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains. In the Middle Ages, it was the center of the last and longest existing Muslim state of Spain. The hill, on which the Alhambra fortress stands, gently descends towards the city, and from the side of the Sierra Nevada forms a steep cliff, at the bottom of which Darro rushes its waters to the Guadalquivir.
The palace fortress rises above the city with a picturesque mass of roofs piled on top of each other, towers, domes and battlements.
Alhambra fortress ("Al Kal'a al-Hambra") - the only surviving monument art Moors in the city of Granada, is considered one of the. The elaborately decorated fortress represents the pinnacle of Moorish art and culture.
History of the Alhambra Palace
In 711, detachments of Arab and Berber warriors, having crossed the Strait of Gibraltar, invaded the peninsula. Since then, maurus (from the Greek word for "dark") - the name of one of the Berber tribes of northwest Africa - has spread to all the Muslim conquerors of Spain.
The Caliphate of Cordoba is a powerful and prosperous state of antiquity, whose independence was proclaimed in 929 in the face of the rest of the Muslim world. Soon Arab Spain became the most populated, richest and most comfortable country in Europe. But in the XI century, the Caliphate of Cordoba collapsed, however, this did not delay further development"Moorish style" in art. He only acquired the traits of greater lyricism.
Art reached its peak in the famous architectural complex "Alhambra". The palace ensemble developed into different time and, of course, did not have the original general plan, but at the same time it is distinguished by an amazing architectural unity. It was here that Moorish culture experienced its heyday, its short “golden age”.
The fortress-palace was built by the last Arab emirs of Spain. The Alhambra was built during a period of decline (the reconquista, the centuries-old struggle of the Spaniards against the Arab conquerors, was ending in Spain). The rulers of that era, in order to forget about reality, decided to create a heavenly palace in the style of fairy tales of 1001 nights. At the same time, the materials for construction were not very expensive, since the emirs of Granada did not have money then.
The construction of the castle began the founder of the dynasty Mohammed ibn Yusuf Nazr in the middle of the XIII century. However, the decoration of the royal chambers dates back to the second half of the 14th century, during the reign of Yusuf I and Mohammed V.
For the Nasrid dynasty, the Alhambra became the administrative center and royal residence. 25 rulers of the Nasrid dynasty ruled here for 250 years. In 1492 the Nasrids were expelled from Granada.
The Christian ruler Ferdinand the Magnificent in 1515 gave a special order to preserve the Alhambra - "such an exceptional and magnificent structure." Now on the territory of the Alhambra there is a royal palace, which was erected by one of the following Spanish kings. The architect Pedro Machuca was then engaged in the restoration of the Alhambra and followed its gardens. But he was also a student of the great Michelangelo, and therefore, following the king's command, he planned to build a magnificent building in the Renaissance style.
In 1536, Charles V - Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire - moved his residence to Granada and with great difficulty agreed not to rebuild the Alhambra. True, he wanted to attach a rotunda to it, but it was never finished. A few decades later, the palace complex began to fall into decay and desolation. Napoleon's troops partially destroyed the ancient Nasrid fortress - some of the structures were blown up. Only in the 19th century did the restoration and reconstruction of the complex begin.
Features of the structure of the Alhambra Palace
“From the outside looking in, it’s just an absurd collection of turrets and roofs, without a shadow of logic, without a hint of consistency and architectural elegance. It is impossible to guess the beauty and charm that await the visitor inside, ”the American writer Irving left such a description of the Alhambra in 1829. This contrast between the external appearance and the interior of the Alhambra is still capable of astonishing anyone. From the outside, the Red Castle looks like a harsh fortress. From the inside, the Alhambra resembles an architectural paradise on earth.
The Alhambra complex includes: Alcazaba - a fortress of the XIII century; palace of Charles V; royal chambers and gardens of the Generalife. Patios, walkways, fountains, ponds and cascades all work together beautifully. Ceramic tiles, stone and wood carvings, bizarre floral ornaments and writing in Arabic script form a striking decorative richness. All the attention of the architect was directed to the interior decoration of the premises: the floors in the Alhambra are covered with colorful mosaics, the wall panels are covered with multi-colored, with metal tiles.
The fortress wall 2200 meters long surrounds the territory of the castle, where the Alhambra Palace itself and palace services are located inside (all buildings from the period 1238-1492).
The Alhambra has neither a clear plan nor a main axis, on both sides of which identical buildings would be placed. It is rather a labyrinth of halls, pavilions, towers, arising as needed or at the whim of the artist around two large courtyards. Separate rooms, passages, halls are grouped around these large and several small courtyards in the most bizarre and arbitrary way.
The center of palace life in the Alhambra was the “Court of Lions” (28 m by 15 m) with a fountain in the center, which rests on the backs of 12 small gray marble lions. The number of lions is not accidental. According to legend, 12 lions supported the throne of King Solomon. This was told to Sultan Mohammed al Ghani by his vizier ibn Nagrella, by origin. He also advised the Sultan to decorate the fountain with figures of lions.
From the mouth of each sculpture, a jet of water shoots directly into the canal surrounding the fountain. Water enters the channel from four reservoirs under the floor of the hall. They are connected to shallow pools of fountains located in adjacent rooms. For Arab buildings, fountains, streams and waterfalls are no less characteristic than columns for Greek ones. It is no coincidence that the inscription was preserved on the fountain in the Lion's Courtyard: "Look at the water and look at, and you will not be able to decide whether the water is calm or the marble is flowing."
On the western side of the Lion's Courtyard is the "Hall of Stalactites", so named because of the lace decoration of its ceiling. Unfortunately, this ceiling died at the end of the 16th century during a fire and in 1614 it was replaced with an elliptical covering.
"Myrtle Yard" - an open area (110 m by 78 m) with a narrow pool, which is surrounded by shrubs and myrtle trees. At each end of the courtyard there are niches with decorated vaults, and at the northern end of the courtyard is the "Hall of Ambassadors" - the reception room of the Moorish rulers. All this magnificence is completed by a dome made of cedar wood. This room was created for official ceremonies and court celebrations. The dome of this room is decorated with a star pattern, twinkling at a height of 18.3 meters. It is argued that the appearance of this artificial sky may well compete with the real night sky. Directly opposite the entrance was the throne of the rulers of Granada.
The Hall of Ambassadors was built in the 14th century and is the largest in the Alhambra: its dimensions are 11/11/18 meters. At floor level, it has nine large arched windows, three of which are separated by marble columns in the center. The thickness of the walls of the "Hall of Ambassadors" reaches three meters, so each of the windows forms an independent, richly decorated room.
The entrance to the Komares tower is preceded by a long, narrow "Hall of the Boat". Some researchers explain this name by the similarity of the painting on the ceiling of the hall with the keel of the ship. However, the Spanish writer Carlos Pascual raises the etymology of the word "barka" ("Zal la Barca") - to the Arabic "baraka" - "blessing, grace", and this seems the most plausible.
“The Hall of Two Sisters” - according to one of the legends, two Christian sisters languished in this hall, they died of longing for their beloved ones separated from them. This square hall is one of the most perfect buildings of the Alhambra. It is distinguished by magnificent ornamental decoration. The stucco decorations of this hall, reminiscent of stalactites, have triumphed over time and reach their perfection here: not one tile is like another.
Opposite the "Hall of the Two Sisters" is the "Hall Abenserhav". In 1482, as legend has it, bloody murders took place here. To free his son Boabdil the way to the throne, his father summoned 36 more applicants to the Alhambra. They were met in this hall by the executioner who was already waiting and cut their throats.
The arcades, along the perimeter of the courtyard, rest on 124 columns, and on the western and eastern sides, two gazebos were erected, from where a beautiful view of the lions, whose mouths spewing water jets, opens. Each arch in the courtyard is enclosed in a patterned frame, the ornament of which is woven with a script of Arabic letters. “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger,” these words are repeated several times.
Alhambra today
The palace is interesting because it is one of the oldest and well-preserved Arab palaces in the world. That is why the capital of Granada, and more precisely, the Alhambra, are the preferred destinations for tourists. The Arab monument, one of the most visited in India, receives more than two million visitors every year.
Granada(Granada listen)) is a city and municipality in Spain, the capital of the province of Granada as part of the Autonomous Community Andalusia.
In this post, materials on attractions such asAlhambra, quarter Albasin, Sierra Nevada, panorama of Granada from the Albacín quarter, panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra, on shopping streets of the city raffiti in granada and many others. E be the same T Uristian map of Granada . In fact, this is only a small part of what was captured, in fact, there are much more photographs and what could be told, but all this is better, as they say, "to see than to hear a hundred times."
01.
GENERAL INFORMATION.
Granada has been known as the Iberian and Phoenician settlement of Ilyberra since 500 BC. e. Due to the protected location among the surrounding mountains and the very fertile land, it is assumed that there were settlements here even in more ancient times. After the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula by the Romans, the existence of a settlement under the name of Ilyberra was proved in writing. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the region fell under the influence of the North African state of the Vandals, after its collapse in 534, for several decades, the power of Byzantium. Since the beginning of the 7th century, it belonged to the Iberian state of the Visigoths.
Granada (Granada) is located in an amazing area, at the foot of the northeastern slope of the Sierra Nevada. Granada stands on three hills descending into a valley where the Hanil River and its tributary Darro flow at regular intervals. According to legend, it was these hills, resembling an open pomegranate, that gave the city its name - Granada . Only in this city, landscapes of extraordinary beauty, buildings of ancient architecture and white quarters of new buildings are harmoniously combined in an amazing way. Granada is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Its architecture, history and traditions, combined with an unusual natural landscape, attract hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.The history of Granada goes back to ancient times. Back in the 5th century BC E. This area, inhabited by Iberian tribes, was quite famous. During the reign of the Roman Empire, the rich city of Iliberis was founded here, which included the village of Granata ( Granada).
After the city was conquered by the Arabs, it began to rebuild. Two fortress centers appeared here, located on both banks of the Darro River.
The period of economic growth of Granada falls at a time when the dominance of the Caliphate of Cordoba was weakened, which marked the beginning of the influx of Muslims from Valencia, Cordoba and Seville into the city. In 1013, an independent Muslim state was founded in Granada.
tourist cards Granada, which can be taken at any local hotel:
02.
03.
04.
05.
06.
07.
08.
09.
10.
Albasin quarter (Albayzin, Albaicin, Albayzin).
Albacín is the old Arab quarter of Granada. Perhaps there is no place in Andalusia where you can better imagine what the old Arab cities looked like. Its steep narrow streets, running up and down the hillside, form a real labyrinth - that is, that is))
General information about the quarter:
Albaicin quarter has its roots in antiquity, as evidenced by the remains of the fortress walls found here, which are the most ancient among the ruins excavated on the territory of Granada. We have no information about the Arab settlements in the area before the arrival of the Syrians. This suggests that the city was empty after the collapse of the Roman Empire until the foundation of the Syrian kingdom (1013), when it was surrounded by walls (Alcazaba Kadina).
Today, in the Albaicin area, we see the fortress walls of the 14th century, which included all the newly built territories in the city. From the 13th century, with the founding of the Nasrid kingdom, the administrative center of Granada moved to the Sabica hill, where the city of Alhambra was built. This did not mean the decline of Albayzin, which remained one of the most important and densely populated areas of Granada with narrow built-up streets, reservoirs and numerous mosques.
Today the area is one of the most attractive places for tourists. Despite all the changes, it seemed to be frozen in time and separated into a separate city inside Granada, with its own atmosphere, structure and architecture, referring us to past centuries. This is a place with a rich history, where a huge number of symbols of past eras have been preserved: Arab baths, aqueducts, reservoirs, Syrian arches and walls, churches in the style Mudéjar, built on the basis of ancient mosques, Moorish, manor houses of the 16th century, which today have become museums, and unforgettable views of the Alhambra and the Sierra Nevada. Albaycin is on the list world heritage UNESCO.
Houses in the Albazin quarter.
11.
Houses in the Albazin quarter.
12.
Houses in the Albazin quarter.
13.
Panorama of Granada from the Albasin quarter.
14.
Panorama of Granada from the Albacín quarter.
16.
Panorama of Granada from the Albacín quarter.
17.
On shopping streets cities (near the cathedral (La Catedral) and at the bottom of the Albacin quarter):
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
When wandering through the souvenir shops on the streets near the cathedral ( La Catedral) heard very interesting, unusual music.
Nicolas Pirillo
24.
Here is the music Nicolás Pirillo - Hang Drum a Granada):
and further ( Nicolás Pirillo - Hang - Granada):
Seafood in a mountain town))
25.
The Alhambra is an amazing, impressive place!!!
The hallmark of the city, of course, is the famous fortress Alhambra(Al-Kal" and al-Hambra - "Red Fortress") - the only fully preserved monument of artistic art of the Moors in Granada. Alhambra- this is not a palace, not a fortress and not a park, but all together, more precisely, it is whole city on top of a mountain above Granada. In shape, it resembles a ship that can be divided into several parts. On the bow of this ship is the oldest part of the Alhambra, an impregnable fortress Alcazaba (La Aicazaba). The middle part is also called the palace, here is located Nasrid Palace(Palacios de los Nazaries) and later Palace of Charles V(Palacio de Carton V). The "stern" of the ship is occupied by the so-called medina - the ruins of city blocks that were once located here, as well as gardens, outbuildings and a parador in the building of the former monastery. In addition to all this, on the neighboring hill there are magnificent gardens of the Generalife(Jardines de Generalife) with the palace of the same name.
General information about the Alhambra:
Alhambra- a palace complex and a fortress, which were the residence of the king and his court during the reign of the Muslim Nasrid dynasty (in Spanish Nazari) on the territory of modern Granada. The Alhambra is one of the main attractions and a symbol not only of Andalusia, but of the whole of Spain.
The Alhambra occupies almost the entire hill of al-Sabika, in the east of the city, opposite the Albaicin district. The Alhambra rises above the whole city, to the north of it flows the river Darro. The complex itself consists of a fortress - Alcazaba, palaces of the Nasrid dynasty (or Nazarian palaces), and the Generalife complex, which includes a palace and beautiful gardens.
In the westernmost part of the Alhambra, on the edge of the hill, is the oldest part of the complex - Alcazaba military fortress. The ancient Alcazaba was rebuilt in 889 by Savvar ben Hamdum, and subsequently expanded in the 11th century by the rulers of the Zirid dynasty. Two centuries later, Muhammad I, the founder of the Nasrid dynasty, added a palace to the Alcazaba, which laid the foundation for the magnificent architectural complex Alhambra.
You can get to the fortress by passing through the Wine Gate (Puerta del Vino) and further along the square of the wells (Plaza del Aljibes). The name of the gate comes from the wine market that has been located here since the 16th century.
Undoubtedly, the main attraction of the Alhambra is Nasrid palaces(Palacios Nazaries). They are located in close proximity to the Palace of Charles V, to the north of it. The Nasrid palaces are among the best-preserved ancient Islamic palaces in Europe. The palace complex includes three independent monumental ensembles: Meshuar (Mexuar), Comares Palace (Palacio de Comares) and Lions Palace (Palacio de los Leones).
In the Muslim architecture of the Alhambra ensemble stands apart Palace of Charles V, built in the immediate vicinity of the Nasrid Palaces, in the 16th century after the conquest of the last Muslim stronghold - Granada, by the Catholic kings Isabella and Ferdinand in 1492.
The palace of Charles V was built inside the Alhambra by order of Charles I after his marriage to Isabella of Portugal, held in Seville in 1526. After the wedding, the couple settled in the Alhambra, where they wanted to build their residence. The palace was erected in the heart of the Alhambra, and for its construction it was necessary to demolish the pavilion standing opposite the tower of the Ambassadors. This fact, which has been the object of criticism more than once, should be understood within the framework of the situation in Spain in the 16th century: the palace of Charles I meant, rather, not the destruction of part of the Alhambra, but the guarantee of its preservation. In those days, entire palaces built by conquered peoples were often demolished, so the admiration of Christian kings for the beauty of the Alhambra saved it from complete destruction.
Since 1958, the Palace of Charles V has housed Granada Museum of Fine Arts.
The Museum of Fine Arts of Granada (Museo de Bellas Artes de Granada) is located on the territory of the Alhambra within the walls of the Palace of Charles V. This is the main art gallery of the city. Opened in 1839 (and therefore the oldest art gallery in Spain), the museum moved to its current building only in 1958, before that it wandered around the various premises of the city, including the current building of the Archaeological Museum.
The museum's collection is shaped by ceramics, works of art originating from the disbanded monasteries, as well as the work of contemporary Granada artists. Two rooms are dedicated to Alonso Cano and his followers, and there is also a room dedicated to the 15th century, secular painting of the 17th century, and modern art. Musical performances are often held in the open courtyard of the museum.
26.
27.
28.
Myrtle courtyard.
29.
Myrtle courtyard.
The ceilings in the Alhambra palaces look like artificial stalactites.
31.
32.
In the "lion's" courtyard.
33.
34.
35.
36.
Lion Yard.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
Panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra.
44.
Panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
Panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra.
59.
Panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra.
60.
Panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra.
61.
Panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra.
62.
Panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra.
63.
Panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
Gardens of the Generalife.
71.
Gardens of the Generalife.
72.
In the gardens of the Generalife.
73.
74.
Canal courtyard in the Generalife.
75.
76.
Graffiti in Granada, located on the road to the Alhambra. The photo was taken early in the morning, it was still dark, in front of the road to Seville. Graffiti is interesting, so at the last moment, we decided to capture it in a photograph.
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
All in all, this is a great place. :)
85.
Sierra Nevada.
Sierra Nevada(Spanish) Sierra Nevada- "snow range") - a mountain range in the south Iberian Peninsula, part of the Cordillera Baetica. Located in Andalusia, Spain. The most high point– Mount Mulasen, 3478 m. Beautiful landscapes open up to us from the viewing platforms.
86.
Mountain Lake.
87.
88.
89.
90.
What you see makes you think
91.
General information about Sierra Nevada:
Sierra Nevada- This mountain range in the Andalusian mountains in southern Spain (from the Spanish "sierra" - saw), the southernmost and highest on the Iberian Peninsula (Mulansen - 3478 m), now one of the best ski resorts.The mountain peaks here are covered with snow even in summer, and therefore the opportunity to swim in the ocean with a temperature of 22-25C or visit the gardens of Tenerife looks very good.
Sierra Nevada located 37 kilometers from Granada, provincial capital Andalusia. Of course, these mountains are known primarily for winter sports - this is slalom, snowboarding, freestyle. Always at your service 45 tracks with a total length of 62 km with a height difference of up to 1200 m, where 23 lifts serve up to 32,000 people at the same time. 250 snow guns (13 low and 237 high pressure) maintain quality coverage in any weather. The Sierra Nevada ski lifts are located in the village Pradogliano (central part- at an altitude of 2.100 m), you don’t have to travel far and wide. There are many hotels here, there are high-altitude hotels, from which you have to get to the entertainment center, the most important of which is the water and sauna center, either on skis, or on a special transport lift or stairs. Try it :). Hotel Telekabina is located right in the building of the funicular. From January to March, the "high" season is here, so you should think about tickets a couple of months before the trip.
Exotic is night skiing - two illuminated tracks are equipped here: 3300 m (difference - 545 m) and 1100 m (difference - 295 m). Although the concept of the route is very conditional. In addition to very steep and therefore specially fenced slalom tracks and smoothly smoothed slope-like slopes for beginners, the track here is everything that the snowcat has driven over. So off-piste descent is very appropriate here. Tired of skiing - take a snowboard, and the whole mountain will become your skating rink - after all, here, if you look from below, there are almost no “closed” sections (hidden from the rider’s gaze) and unpredictable peaks - each has a non-extreme exit for beginners, tracks without glacial cracks and almost without rock formations.
Professionals will love it new park, with special snowboarding track and halfpipe
. The quality of the tracks is the best in Europe ski resort chosen by the king of Spain Juan Carlos. World ski championships (95 and 99) are held here. In addition to skiing, you can, for example, go hiking in places with beautiful views By tourist route La Losa, which leads to Maceta and leads to Mirador Bentanias
(mirador -Observation deck), from which, at an altitude of about 2,500 feet, one can see the seashore to the south and the Sierra Nevada to the east beyond the surrounding valleys. These places are called El Torcal. The walk will not be easy, it can be very hot or, on the contrary, it will suddenly start to rain, but it is easy for a person in good physical shape to cope with it. Or you can go to Granada to see the symbol of the city - Alhambra(complex of the XIII century, consisting of fortresses with palaces and gardens), coupled with the gardens of Teneralife and the old gypsy quarter, where near half-houses - half-caves you can see expensive Mercedes.
The best time to travel is after December 7, because from 1 to 6 the Spaniards have a continuous weekend, and crowds of vacationers stand in endless lines to the funicular. Extras are added by tourists from Portugal and other countries.
The king of Spain skis in the Sierra Nevada, and in 1996 the Alpine Skiing World Championship was successfully held on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada. Since then, European and world-class competitions have been held here annually.
Resort photo:
92.
93.
On the way back from the resort - here is a sign for motorists warning about the danger of motorcycles from behind, which turned out to be true)))
Lion Yard. Through the arcade you can see a beautiful courtyard built in the reign of Muhammad (1354-1391)
Alhambra- a palace complex on the eastern outskirts of Granada, an Andalusian city located about 80 km from the coast mediterranean sea. Granada was the last Moorish kingdom on the Iberian Peninsula, and the Alhambra is the only Arab palace in Spain that has been almost completely preserved to this day. Built during the Reconquista, this formidable harsh fortress (it was said that it had 1100 towers) hid a real earthly paradise behind its walls. Poets called it the home of pleasure.
View of the Alhambra from the Generalife
(High garden) - summer palace of the Nasrid royal family, at that time connected to the fortress by a road.
The history of the palace, which grew out of the gorge dividing the city in two, begins in the 9th century. from the Alcazaba. In the XIII century. under Sultan Muhammad ibn Yusuf (Ibn al-Ahmar), the founder of the Nasrid dynasty, Granada became a military headquarters and the emir's residence. At that time, palace chambers, courtyards, baths and a mosque were built, water supply through canals was organized, and a whole city grew around the fortress. The ruins of the old fortress still rise on one of the slopes of the Sierra Nevada, above the steep cliff of the Darro River, as a majestic frame for the Alhambra.
In the hole of its highest prosperity, in the XIV century. under Muhammad V, the Emirate of Granada was the richest region, and the Alhambra was a bustling city with numerous artisan workshops. Famous silk fabrics were made here, richly decorated with ornaments on a dark background, embroidered with gold, forged weapons, and made jewelry.
In 711, the troops of the Moors from North Africa occupied Spain, founding the first arab emirate(later caliphate) with its capital in Cordoba. For several centuries, these two cultures existed side by side. In 1236, during the Reconquista, the Moors were expelled from Cordoba, and Granada remained the stronghold of the Arabs.
In 1492, the Alhambra was surrendered to the troops of Ferdinand of Castile and Isabella of Aragon.
Palace colonnade. The contrast technique is used in the arcade - thin, fragile columns support a superbly decorated vault.
Granada was also considered the center of literature, music and medicine. With the fall of the emirate, all Arabic books were set on fire by the will of the Cardinal of Toledo Jimenez de Cisneros, sparing only hired treatises. However, the fortress was preserved, and it still remained royal palace, only now the Christian rulers of Castile.
NIGHT OF POWER
The Muslim month of Ramadan is reserved for fasting and special prayers. But why? On the night of the 26th to the 27th day of the month of Ramadan, a significant event took place: the Prophet Muhammad received the Divine Revelation - the Koran. The great night is called the Night of Power (Laylat al-qadr), the Night of the sending down of the Koran, the Night of Predestination: it is at this time that Allah decides on the fate of people. Laylat al-qadr is held in prayer vigil.
Now it is difficult to specify the exact date when the revelation of the Qur'an to Muhammad began. In order not to be mistaken, it is customary to devote all the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan to piety. Here is what the Qur'an says about the Night of Power: “Indeed, We sent him down on the Night of Power! And what will let you know what the night of power is? A night of power is better than a thousand months. Angels and the spirit descend into it with the permission of their Lord for all sorts of commands. She is the world for the dawn!” (Sura 97, verses 1-5).
There is no system or symmetry in the arrangement of the rooms and buildings of the palace. but there are dominants and links connecting them - this is the system of gardens, palace premises, courtyards and passages. One space is replaced by another, more reminiscent of ancient palaces (such as Knossos) than the European buildings familiar to us. II, at the same time, the layout of the Alhambra is not chaotic: the alternation of open and closed volumes sets the rhythm, it is also echoed by the light penetrating through the windows and between the columns of the arcades. Countless repetitions of architectural forms, arabesques, motifs, cascading over each other, create a feeling of dizziness. The walls are literally woven with endless ornaments (colored tiles, carved from stukka, alabaster, stone), but this saturation does not overwhelm, there is no heaviness in it. Various geometric forms used in the decoration, when combined, turn into a kind of living structure - a plant or a garden, a Garden of Eden. And just as the growth of leaves can be described by the mathematical sequence of the Fibonacci series, so the arrangement of elements in decorative compositions. The Alhambra obeys an internal logic. For example, a wall is always decorated according to the following formula: at the bottom there are multi-colored tiles, above - panels, pilasters, archivolts of arches, covered with a complex ornamental stucco relief. Then - the ceiling, window bars, cornices - all made of carved wood. If you peer into the complex, eye-catching spaces of the domes, the number of stalactites (mukarnaks) seems to be endless. Meanwhile, this variety is based on only seven combinations of elements, and they, in turn, are built on a combination of three simple geometric shapes - a square, a circle and a triangle. The masters of the Alhambra skillfully operated with this "alphabet", adding up words and entire ornamental poems.
Hall of the Abenserrachs.
14th century Architectural forms created from stone turn into a kind of naked crystal lattice of minerals, as if inner nature stone comes to the surface and becomes a work of art.
Alhambra (“al-hamra”) means “red” in Arabic. Why the Alhambra got its name is not known for sure - maybe because of the walls shimmering with pink or because bonfires were lit during the construction of the fortress, as the historian Ibn al-Khatib wrote.
The Koran forbids depicting living beings and deities, so calligraphy is widely used in the decoration of Muslim palaces. Most of the Alhambra - quotes from the Koran and inscriptions glorifying the Sultan.
“Contemplate my beauty, and you will be imbued with understanding,” is written on the walls of the fortress on behalf of the fortress itself (Zumruk’s poem).
There are also poetic stanzas - qasidas (examples of Granada poetry that have come down to us), located on the walls at the level of the viewer's eyes. They draw attention to the beauty of architecture and reveal its meaning.
In the atmosphere of the Alhambra, in fact, there is more rationality and clear restraint than unbridled sensuality and dark secrets, as the romantics wanted to believe. But even after understanding some of the rules of the ornamental and spatial game, one never ceases to be amazed at “how it was invented” and “how perfectly made”, just like any) living creature of nature.
In 1832, Washington Irving's History of the Alhambra, published in 1832, was extremely popular with the reading public. The Alhambra, with its horseshoe-shaped arches, geometric ornaments, and bright colors, seemed like the pages of the Thousand and One Nights fairy tales come to life. Serious research, as well as the restoration of the ensemble, began only in 1870, when the Alhambra received the status national monument. Until that time, "the palaces of the nobles stood silent and boarded up, and the Alhambra, like an abandoned beauty, mourned alone among the dead gardens," as Washington Irving wrote.
Gardens of the Alhambra. The gardens embrace the residential part of the palace and are located inside the courtyards. What we see today is the result of the work of the 19th century, but the main meaning has remained unchanged: these are beautiful paintings, the points of view of which were carefully calculated. Walking in the garden was possible only along stone-paved paths, since the plantations were about half a meter below their level.
The garden was created according to the Persian planning scheme, chakhar bag - a symmetrical four-part garden.
The gardens of the Alhambra were considered paradise incarnate.
One of the most famous places of the Alhambra is located next to the Comares Palace, which was part of the private chambers of the Sultan, the Lion Court. The plan of the courtyard is strictly symmetrical: in the center is a fountain, around which there are 12 statues of lions (sculptures of the 11th century). Water noisily erupts from the lotus-shaped bowl and runs into four pools, often compared to the four rivers of paradise. From the east and west, the courtyard passes into the Hall of Kings (decorated with paintings depicting Nasrids) and the Hall of Stalactites. On the north and south sides of it are the Hall of the Two Sisters and the Hall of the Abenserrachs (it is named after the noble family of Granada, torn to pieces here at the end of the 15th century). These buildings received their names after the fall of the emirate. The hall of the two sisters was named after two identical huge marble slabs set into the floor.
The center of the residence of the rulers of the palace of Comares is the Myrtle Court with a rectangular reservoir in the center (its Spanish name "alberca" means "pool"). Nothing breaks the surface of the water, which reflects the thin columns of the arcades. Along the longitudinal undecorated walls are geometrically trimmed myrtle bushes. Previously, through the arches, a view of the neighboring apartments opened - two oblong halls (now there is only one left - the Hall de la Barca on the north side). And above it rises the massif of the Comares tower, which got its name from the colored stained-glass windows in the windows (“kamariya”). The brightly lit courtyard borders on the twilight of the depths of the arcade, fine carvings adjoin the rough masonry of the tower wall. Shadow - light, open - closed, water - stone, peace - movement. It is the play of contrasts that creates the
Muslims believe that on the night of the 26th to the 27th day of the month of Rajab, the prophet, who was sleeping at the Kaaba, was awakened by the call: “Wake up, sleeping!”. Muhammad opened his eyes. In front of him, in a dazzling white robe, stood the angel Jabrail with an amazing animal - a white horse with a human face and luminous wings. On this mount, called al-Buraq ("shine", "lightning"), Muhammad was instantly transported to Sinai, and then to Bethlehem, Jerusalem and heaven.
