Perched on the Assabica hill overlooking the modern town of Granada, Alhambra is a medieval palace and fortress built by the last Muslim rulers of Spain. The Alhambra architecture is one of the finest examples of the Moorish architecture. Blending Islamic architectural style with secular elements, Alhambra is one of the masterpieces of medieval Granada.

Alhambra has retained its classic features even after Christian elements were added to the fortress after the Reconquista. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, today Alhambra is a prominent tourist attraction in Granada.

Alhambra Architecture

Without a master plan, the buildings of Alhambra were constructed in a disorderly fashion. The residential complex comprises of palatial buildings for the royals and their subordinates. The oldest part of the complex is the citadel, built in the 9th century. The major constructions of the complex took place during the 14th century during the Nasrid era. The Christian style buildings were added during the 16th century. Hence, architectural styles that evolved in Spain for more than five centuries can be seen in Alhambra.

Notwithstanding the Hispanic influence, Alhambra has remained the perfect symbol of Muslim art in Spain.

Features of Alhambra

The Royal complex is elaborately embellished with ornate wood and stone works on the ceilings and floor. The Court of the Myrtles is one of the key attractions of the royal complex. At the centre of the court, a large pond kept the palace cool during the summer. The Hall of the Ambassadors, the largest hall in the complex, is a magnificent reception hall. Decorated with colorful tiles, floral and geometric patterns and inscriptions, it one of the most fascinating parts of Alhambra. The Court of the Lions is surrounded by a gallery of white marble pillars. The walls of the court are covered with colorful tiles. The pillars are decorated with a variety of foliage patterns. The main attraction of the Court of the Lions is the Fountain of Lions. Located at the centre of the large square, the fountain comprises of twelve figures of lion made of white marble with water pouring each hour from the mouth of a lion. The Hall of the Abencerrajes is a gorgeous room with ornate roof adorned in golden, blue, red and brown. The honeycomb shaped dome is the finest example of stalactite vaulting developed by the Moor architects of Spain. The Generallife is a 14th century villa with a beautiful pool.

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