Alhambra Palace - Granada - Spain
The Alhambra was a palace, a citadel, a fortress and home of the Nasrid Sultans,
high government officials, servants of the court and elite soldiers of the
Nasrid Dynasty (1238-1492), the last Islamic sultanate in the lberian Peninsula.
Together with the Mezquita (Great Mosque) of Cordoba, the Alhambra is one of the
most widely known of all Islamic works of art.
The Nasrid Sultans chose as the site for their court the Sabika hill, one of the
foothills of Sierra Nevada on the plain of Granada, which constituted an
excellent site from which to keep watch over the capital of their kingdom and
the surrounding area. From the beginning of the XIII century, the small older
buildings, mainly watchtowers, some of which dated back to before the XI
century, gradually grew into a huge walled site which clearly intended to be
both palace and court.
Within this gradual change, different stages of development, grandeur and
decadence can clearly be seen through the various works of art and buildings
erected over the years. The Alhambra was not a single static construction, built
at a specific date, but rather the result of an evolution, successive reforms
and extensions.
Today, four groups of buildings can be identified on the Alhambra Palace
hill:
Alcazaba (Fortress)
This military fortress was built on the oldest site of the Alhambra and
served a purely military purpose as it was situated on the highest part of the
hill, watching over the surrounding area. Alcazaba
Information
Palacios Nazarķes (Nasrid Palaces)
The highlight of your visit to the Alhambra Palace will be the time you spend
in the these Royal Palaces which consist of a number of brilliantly designed and
decorated function rooms and courtyards that were used by the Muslim rulers for
different purposes. Nasrid Palaces Information
Generalife Gardens
Literally this means the garden of the architect. The area consists of
beautiful gardens, fountains and patios where the Moorish leaders had their
summer palace built. Generalife Gardens Information
Medina (town)
The Medina was created to house craftsmen and serve the needs of the court.
It occupies the largest part of the walled area within the upper Alhambra and
still conserves the ruins of several houses, baths and small workshops on its
typical alleys and squares. Other Buildings
More Information
A History of the Alhambra Palace
A History of Moorish Spain
Ticket Information for the Alhambra Palace
Granada Hotels
We highly recommend the
Alhambra Palace Hotel for four star luxury lying just a short stroll from
the Palace itself.
Down the Alhambra Hill in the town itself our preferred hotel is the very
friendly four star
Hotel Plaza Nueva which is ideally located.
For a slightly cheaper option in the town try the three star
Juan Miguel.
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