Alhambra Granada Andalucia Attractions Must See in Granada
If you can pull yourself away from the ruined grandeur of the Alcazaba, you will be pleased when you make your way to the beautiful splendour of the Alhambra. You will have to cross the Plaza de los Aljibes or "Place of the Cisterns." It is hard to find a Moorish palace that has not suffered the predations of Christian architecture in Spain. The Alhambra would suffer more than some as it represented the last Moorish holdout to the Reconquista. From the XVIIIth Century, the Alhambra was abandoned. When Spain was conquered by Napoleon, he wanted to destroy it completely in 1812, but was thwarted by a few officers who recognized its importance. Later on, slowly but carefully, it was restored to its former lustre.
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Tourist Attractions Granada
The Moors referred to Spain as Al-Andalus, which would become Andalucia. The Alhambra is a walled fortification located in Granada Andalucia, on a plateau separated from the Albaycin district by the river Darro to the north. The modern name of the building itself probably comes from Al-Hamra, which means "Red Castle" in Arabic. Its magnificent red walls hat can be seen from a great number of places in Granada by day and night may once you have seen it justify this claim. Construction began in 1248 under Al-Ahmar, also known as Mohammed I, and would last until 1354. It is spread over 35 acres and is surrounded by a wall with 23 towers. You can go further and enter the Alhambra Alta or "Upper Alhambra", From here you can observe the whole of Granada with great comfort and ease.
To get to the main entrance of the palace, you have to go through a beautiful park called Alameda de la Alhambra that is full of wild flowers and English elms planted by the Duke of Wellington, who pushed the French out of Spain, but please listen to the music made by the nightingales and the soothing sound of water from the multitude of fountains. You can reach it by going through the Puerta de la Granadas or ‘Gate of Pomegranates.’ Pause at the Pillar of Charles V built in 1554 before moving through the Puerta de la Justicia or ‘Justice Gate’ with its stone tower You will notice two things: a outstretched hand carved in the stone and a key on either side of the gate.
The Torre de la Vela or "Tower of the Candle / Watch Tower" and Torre del Homenaje or "Tower of the Tribute" were quickly built. Canals and warehouses were constructed. Mohammed III added the baths and mosque, which is now called Church of Saint Mary. The palace itself was principally built under the reigns of Yusuf I and Mohammed V between 1333 and 1391. They would include the Patio de los Leones or "Patio of the Lions," the Puerta de la Justicia in 1348 that served as the original entrance to the palace, the Cuarto and Torre de Comares or ‘Comares Room’ and the Sala de la Barca or ‘Hall of the Boat.’
Alfonso XI of Castile built the Torre del Vino or ‘Wine Tower’ in 1345. As with the Mezquita in Cordoba, in 1526, Charles V tore down rooms and walls to add a Renaissance palace characterized by white walls inside the main structure. You will find the Habitaciones del Emperador or ‘Emperor’s Chambers’ and Peinador de la Reina or ‘Queen's Robing Room’ here. Fate was kind, as his palace was never finished and construction stopped in 1650, so we have more of the original Moorish building to admire. A turret containing a large bell was built in the XVIIth Century. Philip V added another smaller Italian-styled palace in the first half of the XVIIIth Century.
The Alhambra’s design is exquisitely simple: basic square-shaped building with courts. Any extension was connected by a passage. The true visual joy is when you walk into the rooms. They are open to the elements and full of colour and detail: marble, stucco, tiles and arabesques.
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