Built on high ground above the city of granada, the alhambra initially served as a citadel.

If you’re looking for some great Medieval places around Spain, or even around the world — you landed on the right page. Perched upon a hilltop in Granada, Spain, the Alhambra (lit. “The Red One“, “The Red Fortress”) is known to be one of the most unique palaces in the world. With more than 12 centuries of history, this palace is an example of a perfect mixture of different architectural styles. Interested to learn what makes Granada’s Alhambra palace so special? Keep reading, here come the 10 things you need to know about the Alhambra. So, What Makes Granada’s Alhambra Palace so Special? • It was built on the Roman ruins • It’s one of the best examples of the Moorish architecture in Spain • It was redesigned by the Christian kings • It’s a whole complex • Its unique style is called mudéjar • Alcazaba — the oldest part of the Alhambra • Nasrid Palaces — its best-known section • Generalife gardens — its most peaceful section • Palace of Carlos V — one of the newest additions to the palace • There are secret tunnels under the Alhambra 1. It Was Built on the Roman Ruins The hill which the Alhambra palace lies on top of has been an interesting place for building a fortress since Roman times. The palace was built on the remains of a Roman fortification in 889, and it was pretty much ignored until the 14th century when the foundations for the Alhambra as we know it today were laid by the Moors. 2. It’s One of the Best Examples of the Moorish Architecture in Spain It was the Moori...

In her article “ No single answer can satisfy. No one building can unarguably be the world’s single most beautiful. And if beauty is in the eye of the beholder, no two people will see a built structure in the same way. Nevertheless, in our quest to at least approach a truth and to inspire discourse, we revisit the legendary Alhambra with architect and educator Irene Hwang. Hwang lived in Spain for a decade, where she worked for Pritzker-Prize-winning architect Rafael Moneo. She later brought architecture students from America back to Spain, as part of a summer studio she was teaching. Exploring the geographical, political and cultural borders between North Africa and southern Spain, the itinerary had taken the group to Morocco, Gibraltar, Cordoba and, eventually, the Alhambra. A place built by culture: The citadel and its grounds are a World Cultural Heritage site. Photo: Irene Hwang The Alhambra throughout the centuries The Alhambra rises majestically above the city of Granada, Spain, as Europe’s preeminent paradigm of Moorish architecture. Qa’lat al-Hamra in Arabic means “crimson castle.” A forbidding defensive wall with numerous towers, including one enormously imposing square watchtower, surrounds a world of intricate architectural splendor, with the countless characteristic delicate pillars, ornate windows, stunning tile work, elaborate stucco walls, ravishing fountains. In 711, an Arabic-Berber army from North Africa crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and conquered the ...

• Home • Charles V • Family • Parents • Siblings • Wife and Children • Nephews and Nieces • Charles V’s Education • Duke of Burgundy • King in Spain • Holy Roman Emperor • Coronation • The Abdication of Emperor Charles V • Charles’ World • The New World • Travel • 16th century Warfare • The Threat of the Ottoman Empire • Charles’ Finances • Wars with France • Politics • Religious Divisions • In Charles’ Footsteps • Low Countries • Ghent • Mechelen (Malines) • Spain • Cordoba • Granada • Seville • Germany • Augsburg • Regensburg • Italy • Bologna • Charles’ visits to England • Duty & Dynasty • Timeline • Blog – Emperor Charles V • Contact Of major significance in the time of Charles V The setting of Granada is superb; there are few views in Spain or elsewhere finer than that of the Alhambra with the snow covered peaks of the Sierra Nevada in the background (Photo 1). The Alhambra itself, overlooking the city, is not to be missed and there are plenty of other historic sites to visit. Granada was of major significance in the time of Charles V – his Spanish grandparents, Ferdinand and Isabella, his parents, Philip and Juana, and initially his wife, Isabella, were laid to rest in the Capilla Real. However, the city that now contains one of the most visited sites in Spain (best to book ahead) has at times been largely ignored, and the 1898 Baedecker guide book still referred to it as ‘a living ruin’. It now has a population of 240,000 people (double that in the greater urban are...

Alhambra, Palace of the Moorish monarchs of Granada, Spain, built (1238–1358) on a plateau above the city. Its name (Arabic: “the red”) may refer to the colour of the sun-dried bricks used in its outer walls. The Alhambra, only three parts of which remain intact, is made up of a series of rooms and gardens clustered around three principal courts, with extensive use of fountains and water basins. Its surfaces are astoundingly ornate and varied, with outstanding examples of stalactite work. Related Article Summaries

The Alhambra de Granada or Alhambra Palace is one of the most special day trips we have taken. Steeped in history, with architecture and design from many periods. In 1984 it was given the accolade as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Furthermore, it is listed as one of the Twelve Treasures of Spain. A list of sites deemed to be of great historical and cultural value to the Kingdom of Spain. The Alhambra was initially created as a military zone and was given its name due to its reddish walls, meaning Red Castle in Arabic. In the daytime, it has a silver-tone, but under the moon takes on a golden glow. It is situated on top of the rocky hill al-Sabika, to the west of the city of Granada and in front of the areas of Albaicin and the Alcazaba. It sits on the banks of the river Darro. The Alhambra has a view over the whole city, and many believe that other buildings existed on that site before the arrival of the Muslims. The area is surrounded by ramparts and has an irregular shape. The valley of the river Darro lays on its northern side, with the valley of al-Sabika to its southern border and the street Cuesta del Rey Chico runs along the eastern side. The Cuesta del Rey Chico also forms a border between Albaicin and the Generalife gardens which sit on top of the Hill of the Sun (Cerro del Sol). The earliest information on the Alhambra Palace Granada dates from the 9 th Century. In the year 889, Sawwar ben Hamdun had to seek refuge in the fortress of Alcazaba. The Alcazaba is one ...