Grenada’s Grand Treasure – The Alhambra
The best of the best in Grenada has to be the Alhambra, an exquisite beauty of Moorish architecture on the hill. Hours of exploration are possible at this magnificent citadel where one can be immersed in its texture and design.
The Alhambra is the best preserved architecture in Europe for an ancient Moorish palace. It is situated in Grenada, an Andalusian city; this ancient but magnificent fortress gives Grenada its fame.
Alhambra means ‘Red Castle’; it is an Arabic term. Moorish poets have lauded the Alhambra to be like a pearl in the midst of emeralds. The strategically positioned fortress makes it an ideal defense as it has the river at its north and the looming Sierra Nevada. It was as far back as the 9th century when supposedly Sawar ben Hamdun found refuge in a small fort, the Alcazaba, but he saw the strategic location of this site as a formidable fortress and hence, converted the Alcazaba into the great Alhambra of today.
The Alhambra is very much Moorish architecture where its Moorish kings set about its grandeur in the 14th century. It was purposed to be a royal residence with King Mohammed I as its first royal occupant from the Nasrid dynasty. It was one of the most exquisite palaces that truly befit royalty with its beautiful furnishings in splendid Arabesque architecture.
But, when the Christians conquered the city in the year 1492, changes were made on the Alhambra. King Charles V rebuilt the Moorish winter palace to reflect renaissance style; hence, the exquisite Moorish architecture was lost.
The French came in 1812 and blew up two towers of the Alhambra, causing major damage.
Napoleon wanted to demolish the whole Alhambra but fortunately his plan was foiled by a discontented French soldier who defused the explosives and no explosion took place. An earthquake damaged the Alhambra greatly in the year 1821, but repair works by Jose Contreras in 1828 restored its magnificence a few years later.
Splendid sections
One of the beautifully designed areas of the Alhambra is the Lions Patio which is a rectangular courtyard with 124 marble columns to form a gallery. Each arch displays exquisite Arabesque art pieces with 12 white marble lions at the courtyard centre. These lion structures form the famous Fountain of the Lions.
The Ambassadors Hall is the biggest reception room in the Alhambra which was well used during the ancient Moorish kings’ reign. The walls are intricately designed with ornate tiling and a ceiling that depicts the heavens with its inlaid white, blue and gold designs.
The area that is famously called the Hall of the Two Sisters has 2 huge smooth marble slabs with an indoor fountain and domed ceiling that is honeycombed with cells in the thousands. It is a beautiful Moorish architectural design that is unique and intrinsic. You can also find many amazing pieces of architecture within the Alhambra to your delight.