Architecture, David Oakes - Images, Everyday Life, Heritage, Peace, PHOTOGRAPHY,, postaday, Spain, Travel, Trivia

THE ALHAMBRA….Granada of the Moors

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The Palace of Comares, Alhambra

High on a Red Hill stands the ancient Royal City and Palace we  know as Alhambra.  It was created as a defensive Hill Fort and within its high walls was constructed a Palace, Mosques, Houses, Gardens, Garrisons and Stables and everything else for an independent and secure city.

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Built over a number of centuries by Muslims Rulers who controlled Andalusia and was subsequently secured by Christian forces it has by nature had a chequered history. As each subsequent ruler, Muslim or Christian inherited Alhambra they added there own Palace….so now it is a collection of Palaces that you visit.

The name Alhambra is thought to be derived from al-hamra , a combination of red (from the soil of the hill) and Muhammed al-Ahmar ibn Nasr the founder of the Fortress.

Alhambra is considered one of the finest examples of the earliest Muslim Art.  It is also an eclectic mix of styles as influences changed from eastern to western.

The exteriors are dramatic but the interior is breath-taking.  Intricate carved stone, lace like and coloured, tiles and mosaic patterns that convey religious messages.   Water and gardens are incorporated into these spaces as places for cool contemplation and leisure. Dark for shade and windows for air circulation.  But above all are the dramatic carved ceilings and tiled domes.

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So lets take the tour….

That is just the short version…you need to visit for yourselves to get the true magnitude of what was created.  As with so many major locations you need to book in advance.  It will still be very busy but full marks for organisation as the tickets are timed to control the flow of visitors…not perfect but it works better than most. As for time well even a good day will not cover everything and a guide is valuable.

But we haven’t finished…. tomorrow we Tour the Gardens in what is known as the Generalife Palace

4th October

(C) David Oakes 2018

26 thoughts on “THE ALHAMBRA….Granada of the Moors”

    1. Thank you Charly…. if only I had been there on my own with all the time in the day, but that isn’t ever going to be possible….so I guess I am rather pleased with what shots I managed to grab on a busy hot day. 🙂

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      1. Yes, now there are too many people visiting the Alhambra. The first time I went to visit this site was in 1983, and there were almost no visitors or surveillance. It will never be like that again. 🙂

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        1. Sad, but I guess we would be selfish it we kept it all to ourselves…..but I did think they had organised the number of visitors reasonably well and far better then many places. Wish I had had that experience of space. 🙂

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      1. Yes, I’m sure….I remember a friend being amazed that I had images of Knossos with not a tourist in sight…..I just waited. And waited. And would have a few seconds to get my shot!

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  8. Alhambra is also a city in the county of Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1874 by Benjamin Wilson. His daughters were reading Washington Irving’s book “The Alhambra” and suggested that their father name the place after the Moorish palace in Southern Spain. Irving visited Spain in 1832, and his book about Spanish folklore is considered one of the finest examples of American literature.

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