Granada, Spain: Discovering The Historic City Of The Alhambra

Granada, Spain sits on a plateau that overlooks the city at 2400 feet above the valley, where Alhambra was built chiefly between 1238 and 1358 in the reigns of Ibn al-Ahmar founder of Nasrid dynasty and successors. Constructed on a plateau that overlooks the city, Alhambra Generalife and Albayzín together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves elements of medieval heritage of Granada. It is the most important place to visit in Andalucia, the final flowering of Islamic art and architecture on Iberian Peninsula before Reconquista culminated in 1492.

Elvira, Iliberri, And The Move To The Hills

Region surrounding what is now known as Granada had been populated since 5500 BC and experienced Roman and Visigothic influences. It was originally known as Elibyrge and by 1st century AD it had become Roman municipality known as Iliberri Iliberris which by end of Visigoth period had changed to Elvira. During Roman period township named Iliberris on slopes of Sierra de Elvira where archaeological remains of Roman Visigothic Arab origin have been found. Existence of Roman settlement in same place as Granada or rather identification of Granada with Iliberis has been bone of contention among historians since tenth sixteenth century.

A suburb of southern Iberian provincial seat of Elvira during Roman Visigothic Umayyad periods, Granada was seat of Berber Zirid kingdom during taifa period 1013–1090 but fell into decline during Almoravid and Almohad periods when it became economically and culturally secondary to Seville. Granada Moorish Era Foundation and Flourishing 711–1232 city gained prominence after collapse of Caliphate of Córdoba in 1031 becoming key taifa independent Muslim kingdom. Under Zirid dynasty Granada fortified and grew into significant cultural and commercial center. Zirids moved capital from nearby Elvira modern-day Albolote to safer hills of Granada where they built Alcazaba Cadima Old Fortress in Albaicín quarter.

Of Ilbira or Elvira to settle in 1013 according to narrative provided by later memoirs of Abdallah ibn Buluggin last Zirid king of Granada Zirids settled there at request of local population who sought protection from outside attackers but were unable to organize themselves. Historian Hugh Kennedy notes while Abdallah memoirs seek to legitimize Zirid rule narrative is plausible when considering situation of al-Andalus at time. Zirid monuments can still be visited today most interesting Hamam Al-Jawza public bath Qantarat Al-Qadi remaining tower of bridge number old city gates some huge like Bab Elvira others hidden or already integrated into urban fabric like Bab Al-Asad. View of Albaicín neighbourhood today site of Zirid citadel during Taifa period with some Zirid city walls still standing. Granada had been until then small settlement on right bank of Darro river but here Zawi ibn Ziri founded what became modern Granada and capital of new Taifa kingdom.

The Red Walls Built Between 1238 And 1358

Name Alhambra signifying in Arabic the red may refer to color of sun-dried tapia or bricks made of fine gravel and clay of which outer walls of compound are built. Name derived from Arabic word al-Hamra meaning the red one reference to reddish walls that enclose complex. Consisting of fortress palaces gardens Alhambra dates back to 9th century 889 AD as small fortress on top of remains of Roman fortifications although it was in 13th century it became royal residence. Originally constructed as small fortress in AD 889 on remains of Roman fortifications then largely ignored until its ruins were renovated and rebuilt in mid-13th century by Moorish emir Mohammed ben Al-Ahmar Muhammad I Ibn al-Ahmar first Nasrid emir founder of Emirate of Granada in 1238 who built its current palace and walls.

It was converted into royal palace in 1333 by Yusuf I Sultan of Granada. Alhambra history dates back to mid-13th century when constructed as fortress and royal palace for Nasrid dynasty last Muslim rulers of Granada. Palace strategic location on hill overlooking city provided vantage point for defense and retreat for royal family. Towering above Spanish city of Granada is Alhambra admired for its strength beauty and pleasant gardens. Sprawling complex of palaces and gardens atop hill in Granada culmination was Alhambra sprawling complex palaces gardens. For seven centuries 711–1492 much of Spain was Muslim ruled by Islamic Moors from North Africa while rest of Europe was slumbering through Dark Ages Spain blossomed under Moorish rule.

Principal courts of palace are Patio de los Arrayanes Court of Myrtles and Patio de los Leones Court of Lions. In center of Patio de los Leones is Fuente de los Leones Fountain of Lions alabaster basin supported by figures of 12 white marble lions emblems of strength and courage. Alhambra complex also includes summer palace known as Generalife summer palace features picturesque courtyards such as Patio del Ciprés de la Sultana Court of Sultana's Cypress. Theater within Generalife is site of international performances of music and dance. In 1984 officials of United Nations UN designated Alhambra and Generalife as World Heritage site. These are sites that UN determines to have outstanding universal value because of cultural or natural significance. One of most visited historic sites world was fortified palatine city of Nasrid rulers.

Nasrids built Alhambra and reigned until January 2 1492 when army of Catholic Monarchs conquered last Muslim city in Iberian Peninsula ousting last ruler. In 1492 site became Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabela, Alhambra became Christian court when Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabel conquered city of Granada. After Moors expelled from Spain in 1492 much of interior destroyed. Charles V who ruled in Spain as Charles I 1516–56 rebuilt portions in Renaissance style. In 1812 French troops blew up several towers and in 1821 earthquake caused further damage restoration undertaken 1828 continued through 20th century. Until that date what now constitutes province Granada was integrated within limits of so-called Kingdom of Granada. It is necessary to go back to Kura of Elvira and Zirid Taifa of Granada as most significant precedents what later became Nasrid Kingdom of Granada assimilated by Crown of Castile after end of Reconquest 1492.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Is Granada Located And Why Plateau?

On plateau overlooks city 2400 feet above Granada valley city below magnificent views Sierra Nevada Darro river right bank rising above modern lower town Alhambra and Albayzín situated two adjacent hills form medieval part Granada east Alhambra fortress residence Generalife rural residence emirs 13th 14th centuries strategic hill vantage defense retreat royal family.

How Old Is Granada From Elvira To Zirid?

Region populated since 5500 BC originally Elibyrge by 1st century AD Roman municipality Iliberri Iliberris end Visigoth changed Elvira suburb southern Iberian provincial seat Elvira during Roman Visigothic Umayyad periods. Gained prominence after collapse Caliphate Córdoba 1031 key taifa independent Muslim kingdom seat Berber Zirid kingdom 1013-1090 fell decline Almoravid Almohad secondary Seville. Zirids moved capital from nearby Elvira modern Albolote to safer hills Granada built Alcazaba Cadima Old Fortress Albaicín quarter 1013 at request local population sought protection memoirs Abdallah ibn Buluggin last Zirid king plausible Hugh Kennedy monuments Hamam Al-Jawza public bath Qantarat Al-Qadi tower bridge gates Bab Elvira huge Bab Al-Asad hidden urban fabric.

Why Was Alhambra Built Between 1238 And 1358?

Name Alhambra Arabic red al-Hamra the red one sun-dried tapia bricks fine gravel clay outer walls reddish walls. Originally small fortress AD 889 on remains Roman fortifications largely ignored until ruins renovated rebuilt mid-13th century Moorish emir Mohammed ben Al-Ahmar Muhammad I Ibn al-Ahmar first Nasrid emir founder Emirate Granada 1238 built current palace walls. Chiefly 1238-1358 reigns Ibn al-Ahmar founder Nasrid dynasty successors converted royal palace 1333 Yusuf I Sultan Granada final flowering Islamic art architecture Iberian Peninsula before Reconquista.

What Makes Alhambra UNESCO And What To See Inside?

Alhambra Generalife Albayzín together UNESCO World Heritage Site preserves medieval heritage Granada 1984 outstanding universal value cultural significance one of most visited historic sites world fortified palatine city Nasrid rulers. Alcazaba oldest part massive outer walls towers ramparts Alhambra Alta Upper Alhambra home high-level officials royal city seat government. Principal courts Patio de los Arrayanes Court Myrtles Patio de los Leones Court Lions center Fuente de los Leones Fountain Lions alabaster basin 12 white marble lions emblems strength courage Generalife summer palace picturesque courtyards Patio del Ciprés de la Sultana Court Sultana's Cypress theater international performances music dance.

How Did Granada Become Last Muslim Kingdom Until 1492?

Moorish Era Foundation Flourishing 711-1232 seven centuries 711-1492 much Spain Muslim ruled Islamic Moors North Africa while rest Europe slumbering Dark Ages Spain blossomed. Nasrids built Alhambra reigned until January 2 1492 army Catholic Monarchs conquered last Muslim city Iberian Peninsula. In 1492 site became Royal Court Ferdinand and Isabela Alhambra became Christian court Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand Isabel conquered city. After Moors expelled 1492 much interior destroyed Charles V ruled Spain Charles I 1516-56 rebuilt portions Renaissance style 1812 French troops blew up several towers 1821 earthquake further damage restoration undertaken 1828 continued through 20th century assimilated Crown Castile after Reconquest Kura Elvira Zirid Taifa most significant precedents Nasrid Kingdom Granada.

Granada endures because it kept moving uphill. From Elvira in valley to Zirid Alcazaba Cadima on Albaicín hill 1013 to Alhambra plateau 2400 feet above built 1238-1358 with tapia red walls and Court of Lions twelve marble lions. Last Muslim city until January 2 1492 it survived by elevation — where air cools, sight extends, and palatine city could watch Sierra Nevada while guarding Darro. That is why Alhambra still reads as city, not palace.