Palace of the Moors in Granada. The Alhambra Fortress in Spain is the New Eighth Wonder of the World. What to see in the Alhambra

Granada(Granada listen)) is a city and municipality in Spain, the capital of the province of Granada as part of the Autonomous Community Andalusia.

In this post, materials on attractions such asAlhambra, quarter Albasin, Sierra Nevada, panorama of Granada from the Albacín quarter, panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra, on shopping streets of the city raffiti in granada and many others. E be the same T Uristian map of Granada . In fact, this is only a small part of what was captured, in fact, there are much more photographs and what could be told, but all this is better, as they say, "to see than to hear a hundred times."

GENERAL INFORMATION.

Granada has been known as the Iberian and Phoenician settlement of Ilyberra since 500 BC. e. Due to the protected location among the surrounding mountains and the very fertile land, it is assumed that there were settlements here even in more ancient times. After the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula by the Romans, the existence of a settlement under the name of Ilyberra was proved in writing. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the region fell under the influence of the North African state of the Vandals, after its collapse in 534, for several decades, the power of Byzantium. Since the beginning of the 7th century, it belonged to the Iberian state of the Visigoths.

Tourist map of Granada, which can be taken at any local hotel:

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Albasin quarter (Albayzin, Albaicin, Albayzin).

Albacín is the old Arab quarter of Granada. Perhaps there is no place in Andalusia where you can better imagine what the old Arab cities looked like. Its steep narrow streets, running up and down the hillside, form a real labyrinth - that is, that is))

General information about the quarter:

Albaicin quarter has its roots in antiquity, as evidenced by the remains of the fortress walls found here, which are the most ancient among the ruins excavated on the territory of Granada. We have no information about the Arab settlements in the area before the arrival of the Syrians. This suggests that the city was empty after the collapse of the Roman Empire until the foundation of the Syrian kingdom (1013), when it was surrounded by walls (Alcazaba Kadina).
Today, in the Albaicin area, we see the fortress walls of the 14th century, which included all the newly built territories in the city. From the 13th century, with the founding of the Nasrid kingdom, the administrative center of Granada moved to the Sabica hill, where the city of Alhambra was built. This did not mean the decline of Albayzin, which remained one of the most important and densely populated areas of Granada with narrow built-up streets, reservoirs and numerous mosques.
Today the area is one of the most attractive places for tourists. Despite all the changes, it seemed to be frozen in time and separated into a separate city inside Granada, with its own atmosphere, structure and architecture, referring us to past centuries. This is a place with a rich history, where a huge number of symbols of past eras have been preserved: Arab baths, aqueducts, reservoirs, Syrian arches and walls, churches in the style Mudéjar, built on the basis of ancient mosques, Moorish, manor houses of the 16th century, which today have become museums, and unforgettable views of the Alhambra and the Sierra Nevada. Albayzin is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Houses in the Albazin quarter.

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Houses in the Albazin quarter.

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Houses in the Albazin quarter.

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Panorama of Granada from the Albasin quarter.

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Panorama of Granada from the Albacín quarter.

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Panorama of Granada from the Albacín quarter.

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On shopping streets cities (near the cathedral (La Catedral) and at the bottom of the Albacin quarter):

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When wandering through the souvenir shops on the streets near the cathedral ( La Catedral) heard very interesting, unusual music.

Nicolas Pirillo

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Here is the music Nicolás Pirillo - Hang Drum a Granada):

and further ( Nicolás Pirillo - Hang - Granada):

Seafood in a mountain town))

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The Alhambra is an amazing, impressive place!!!

General information about the Alhambra:

Alhambra- a palace complex and a fortress, which were the residence of the king and his court during the reign of the Muslim Nasrid dynasty (in Spanish Nazari) on the territory of modern Granada. The Alhambra is one of the main attractions and a symbol not only of Andalusia, but of the whole of Spain.

The Alhambra occupies almost the entire hill of al-Sabika, in the east of the city, opposite the Albaicin district. The Alhambra rises above the whole city, to the north of it flows the river Darro. The complex itself consists of a fortress - Alcazaba, palaces of the Nasrid dynasty (or Nazarian palaces), and the Generalife complex, which includes a palace and beautiful gardens.

In the westernmost part of the Alhambra, on the edge of the hill, is the oldest part of the complex - Alcazaba military fortress. The ancient Alcazaba was rebuilt in 889 by Savvar ben Hamdum, and subsequently expanded in the 11th century by the rulers of the Zirid dynasty. Two centuries later, Muhammad I, the founder of the Nasrid dynasty, added a palace to the Alcazaba, which laid the foundation for the magnificent architectural complex of the Alhambra.
You can get to the fortress by passing through the Wine Gate (Puerta del Vino) and further along the square of the wells (Plaza del Aljibes). The name of the gate comes from the wine market that has been located here since the 16th century.
Undoubtedly, the main attraction of the Alhambra is Nasrid palaces(Palacios Nazaries). They are located in close proximity to the Palace of Charles V, to the north of it. The Nasrid palaces are among the best-preserved ancient Islamic palaces in Europe. The palace complex includes three independent monumental ensembles: Meshuar (Mexuar), Comares Palace (Palacio de Comares) and Lions Palace (Palacio de los Leones).
In the Muslim architecture of the Alhambra ensemble stands apart Palace of Charles V, built in the immediate vicinity of the Nasrid Palaces, in the 16th century after the conquest of the last Muslim stronghold - Granada, by the Catholic kings Isabella and Ferdinand in 1492.

The palace of Charles V was built inside the Alhambra by order of Charles I after his marriage to Isabella of Portugal, held in Seville in 1526. After the wedding, the couple settled in the Alhambra, where they wanted to build their residence. The palace was erected in the heart of the Alhambra, and for its construction it was necessary to demolish the pavilion standing opposite the tower of the Ambassadors. This fact, which has been the object of criticism more than once, should be understood within the framework of the situation in Spain in the 16th century: the palace of Charles I meant, rather, not the destruction of part of the Alhambra, but the guarantee of its preservation. In those days, entire palaces built by conquered peoples were often demolished, so the admiration of Christian kings for the beauty of the Alhambra saved it from complete destruction.

Since 1958, the Palace of Charles V has housed Granada Museum of Fine Arts.
The Museum of Fine Arts of Granada (Museo de Bellas Artes de Granada) is located on the territory of the Alhambra within the walls of the Palace of Charles V. This is the main art gallery of the city. Opened in 1839 (and therefore the oldest art gallery in Spain), the museum moved to its current building only in 1958, before that it wandered around the various premises of the city, including the current building of the Archaeological Museum.
The museum's collection is shaped by ceramics, works of art originating from the disbanded monasteries, as well as the work of contemporary Granada artists. Two rooms are dedicated to Alonso Cano and his followers, and there is also a room dedicated to the 15th century, secular painting of the 17th century, and modern art. Musical performances are often held in the open courtyard of the museum.

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Myrtle courtyard.

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Myrtle courtyard.

The ceilings in the Alhambra palaces look like artificial stalactites.

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In the "lion's" courtyard.

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Lion Yard.

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Panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra.

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Panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra.

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Panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra.

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Panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra.

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Panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra.

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Panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra.

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Panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra.

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Panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra.

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Gardens of the Generalife.

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Gardens of the Generalife.

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In the gardens of the Generalife.

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Canal courtyard in the Generalife.

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Graffiti in Granada, located on the road to the Alhambra. The photo was taken early in the morning, it was still dark, in front of the road to Seville. Graffiti is interesting, so at the last moment, we decided to capture it in a photograph.

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All in all, this is a great place. :)

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Sierra Nevada.

Sierra Nevada(Spanish) Sierra Nevada- "snow range") - a mountain range in the south Iberian Peninsula, part of the Cordillera Baetica. Located in Andalusia, Spain. The highest point is Mount Mulasen, 3478 m. The most beautiful landscapes open up to us from the observation platforms.

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Mountain Lake.

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What you see makes you think

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General information about Sierra Nevada:

Resort photo:

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On the way back from the resort - here is a sign for motorists warning about the danger of motorcycles from behind, which turned out to be true)))

Conceived as a castle-fortress towering on top of a mountain, the Alhambra Palace changed hands more than once, saw many bloody battles, and its walls acquired a reddish tint over time. Some argue that this happened because of the color of the building bricks, others because of the local ferruginous soils that cast a reflection on the walls of the fortress.

And one of the legends of the Alhambra says: the palace became red because it was erected at night, by the light of torches - and the reflections of the fire played an important role. Therefore, the Moors called their castle the Alhambra, which means “Red Fortress” in translation.

The Alhambra Palace in Spain is an architectural and park complex that is located on the top of Alsabica, one of the mountains of the Sierra Nevada ridge, at an altitude of 700 m above sea level. m., in the east of the city of Granada, 450 km from Madrid, the capital of Spain, on the left bank of the Darro River. On a geographical map, the exact location of the palace can be calculated using the following coordinates: 37° 10′ 37″ s. sh., 3° ​​35′ 24″ in. d.

The construction of the Alhambra Castle began in the middle of the thirteenth century on the initiative of the Moorish ruler Mohammed I of the Nasrid dynasty. The palace is one of the most striking monuments of Moorish architecture in Europe, the appearance of which was absolutely not influenced by Byzantine culture.

The unique architectural complex was created over several centuries, and therefore, over time, it formed the most real city: there were gardens near its fortress walls, and watchtowers, palaces, a mosque, pavilions, and even a city (Medina) were erected on the territory, in which about 2 thousand people lived. Basically, they were employees of the castle - doctors, cooks, blacksmiths, security guards.

Fortunately, there was plenty of space for the construction of a huge number of buildings on the territory of the fortress: the area of ​​​​the architectural complex was about 140 thousand square meters. m., length - almost 750 m, maximum width - about 200 m, and the total length of the fortress outer wall - about 2 km. Christian slaves were involved in the work, and brick, concrete, marble, wood, ceramics and plaster were used as building materials.

To build the Alhambra castle, considerable financial and human resources were involved. Despite all its beauty and an unusual design for a European palace, the castle more than once found itself on the verge of complete destruction: its condition directly depended on who was in power in Spain at that time:

• King Mohammed I erected a fortress and began the construction of the Alhambra Palace, making it a royal residence.
• Mohammed II and Mohammed III significantly strengthened the fortress by adding watchtowers and additional ramparts. Also during this period, the summer palace of the Generalife was erected.
• In the XIV century. Yusuf I decided to completely rebuild the fortress. The reconstruction lasted about a hundred years, and therefore the work was completed by Muhammad V. As a result, the Alcazaba fortress received a purely military purpose, and next to it, the Alhambra palace complex was erected on the mountainside.
• In 1492, the Spanish troops of King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella of Castile captured Granada - and not the best times began for the castle: decorative drawings were smeared with whitewash, paintings and gilding were removed, furniture was broken.
• In the XVI century. Charles V decided to build a castle in the Renaissance style on the territory of the Alhambra, almost completely destroying the Winter Palace for this (however, he did not fully realize the idea). The mosque was destroyed, and the church of Santo Maria and the monastery were built instead.
• In the 18th century King Philip V further spoiled the architecture of the Alhambra in Granada by building a palace in the center of one of the Moorish buildings.
• Napoleon Bonaparte, losing the war, ordered the Alhambra Castle to be blown up in 1812, but one of the performers defused the explosives, as a result of which the French managed to destroy only one tower, while the palace complex itself survived.
• Nine years later, the Alhambra in Spain was badly damaged during a major earthquake. Perhaps this was the impetus for the start of the restoration work of the unique complex, which was started in 1828 by the architect José Contreras, and after his death were continued by his son and completed by his grandson.

What is the Red Fort

The Spaniards say: whoever visited Spain and did not see the Alhambra, did not see Spain. Many prominent Arabists claim that the Alhambra is the most beautiful of all the surviving castles of the Moorish culture. The uniqueness of this complex lies in the fact that while other monuments of Arabic architecture of architecture delight with their monumentality, the originality of the Red Fortress lies in the details, the extremely precise and painstaking work that was done by Moorish craftsmen when creating arches, vaults, columns, patterned windows.

The chaotic, but in fact skillful arrangement of courtyards, passages, fountains, reservoirs, and gardens cannot but surprise. This alternation of open and closed structures, as well as the constant repetition of architectural forms, combined with light penetrating through windows or between columns, creates a rhythm, and a huge amount of various ornaments on the walls of the building is literally amazing.

When the palace was being built, the ancient masters paid a lot of attention to water, creating on the territory of the complex a huge number of fountains, ponds, reservoirs, along which gardens were located.

This is due to the fact that the real homeland of the Moors was a sultry and arid desert, and therefore water was especially valuable. In this regard, the Moorish architects, when developing the project, tried to make it look like a paradise on earth, which was described in the Koran as a lush garden abounding with rivers, lakes, streams.

The main buildings of the castle

Despite its inner beauty, from the outside the palace resembles a medieval castle-fortress, towering over one of the cities of Spain. Inside, the building is noticeably transformed and it becomes clear why the Moorish, describing the palace, characterized it as a “pearl in emeralds”, focusing on the bright colors of the buildings against the backdrop of the forest located at the foot of the castle and the gardens laid out in the castle.

The castle can be reached by the road that is located between the mountain and the wall. One could also get here from the Alhambra Forest through the Gates of Justice, located in the tower of the same name, or through the eastern gate leading to the summer residence of the emirs Generalife. All palace buildings were located in the west of the complex.

Nasrid Palace

The Nasrid Palace was located in the northwest of the Alhambra. Like all other buildings, outwardly it looked extremely simple, but inside the richness and splendor of this castle was amazing. The palace included buildings for audiences and courts (Meshuara), the official residence of the ruler (Palace Comares) and private apartments (Palace of Lions), where the Emir, his wives, children and concubines lived, and when the castle was captured by the Spaniards, the chambers of the kings were located here .

Post-Mauritanian period

Many buildings in the southwestern part of the complex were erected after the Moors left Granada, among them the unfinished palace of Charles V, because of which he destroyed the Winter Palace. This castle has a square shape, two tiers instead of three, and instead of a covered room with a dome at the top, there is an open round courtyard. Near it is the church of St. Mary and the monastery.

Altkasaba

To the west is the fortress of the Alhambra - Altkasaba, separated from the rest of the palace complex by a wide moat, as well as a double fortress wall, between which there is a narrow courtyard. Later, when the Spaniards came to power, a third wall was added on the northern and southern slopes of the mountain. The structure of the Citadel included nine watchtowers, from which the surroundings and the weapons area were clearly visible.

Alhambra Palace- the most beautiful of the fortified palace chambers ever built. Its device retains the features of a classic medieval castle, in which the upper floors were occupied by aristocrats, military and noble citizens, and the lower levels and the courtyard protected by walls were given to merchants and servants. In 1241, Ibn al-Ahmed initiated the Nasrid dynasty in Granada, calling himself Mohammed I. The Nasrids ruled Granada until 1492. The Alhambra citadel was built by order of Mohammed I.

At the beginning of 1492, the 700-year rule of the Moors came to an end. The Spanish Christian kings expelled the rulers of the Nasrid dynasty from Granada, who for 250 years considered the city and its environs to be their possessions. The Nasrids fled from their palace, the incomparable Alhambra. This "red city" should actually be seen as an outstanding architectural ensemble, and not as a separate building.

The first part of the huge fortified complex, the Alcazaba (Upper city), was completed either at the end of the 13th or at the beginning of the 14th century.

Mehuar, or House of Justice, including the ornate Quarto Dorado (golden room), were the official premises of the Sultan himself. Here, in the presence of officials, he announced laws and decrees. On the walls of the Golden Room there was an inscription: "Come in and do not be afraid to demand justice, you will receive it."

The Palace of Comares, which housed the residential apartments of the Sultan and his officials, is a real gem of the Alhambra. The vaults of the Embassy Hall, according to the Koran, depict seven heavens. They are made of cedar with elaborate inlays of ivory and mother-of-pearl. Sultan Mohammed V's personal guard (1354-1391) occupied the Lion Court, an outstanding example of Arab architecture in Iberia and Islamic style in general. The walls are lined with an ornament of scarlet, green, gold and blue tiles. The courtyard with 124 marble columns got its name from the fountain. His bowl is held on the back by 12 marble lions.

The hall of the Two Sisters is considered the most luxurious room in the palace. (Sala de las Dos Hermanas). Its Moorish-style vaults are adorned with stalactites, so that the ceiling is divided into more than 4,000 sparkling cells. One wall is covered with poems inscribed in gold on glaze.

The sound of water can be heard in any corner of the Alhambra. There are many springs within the walls of the citadel. Sultan Mohammed I decided that there would be plenty of water in his fortress. And obedient architects made water a detail of interior decoration. The filigree jets of the fountains are perfectly combined with the brilliance of glazed bricks, marble floors and colorful tiles.

The Alhambra consists of four parts:

• Military fortress of Alcazaba (oldest part)
• The stunning Nasrid Palace (last surge of Moorish architecture);
• Summer Palace of the Generalife;
• Renaissance Palace of Charles V.

Between them lies a labyrinth of paradise gardens, which really seem to be the embodiment of heavenly places. Delicate combinations of light, color, sounds and aromas, created by murmuring fountains, mirror-like surface of ponds, high hedges and an abundance of fragrant flowers, captivate.

The color of the walls, made from a mixture of red clay and stone, gave the Alhambra its name, derived from the Arabic word for red. Once these walls surrounded a small city with four gates, 23 towers, seven palaces, servants' dwellings, workshops, baths, educational institutions. (madrasah) and mosques. Many of them have long disappeared, but those that remain continue to fascinate with their magic, as happened with Charles V: having built the imperial palace here, the monarch used it only for ceremonies, and he himself preferred to live with his family in a more pleasant Moorish palace. Due to the huge popularity of the Alhambra during the high season, you can find yourself in a dense crowd of many tour groups. Therefore, it is better to plan a second visit, and come again in the evening, when those elements of architecture that you might miss during the day are softly highlighted. As for the Nasrid Palace, you need to book a tour there and wait for half an hour (try to come after 12.00 when the crowd subsides). But in any case, you can soak up the sensual atmosphere of the Alhambra for as long as you want.

Alcazaba

From this fortress you can start your tour. Climb to the rooftop of Torre de la Vela for a fantastic panorama of Granada, the Sierra Nevada and the endless plain (Vega) west. Alcazaba, built in the ninth century, was the first major Moorish building in Granada, although its two front towers did not appear until 400 years later.

Palacios Nazaries (Palace of the Nasrids)

The French poet Theophile Gauthier called this palace built for Yusuf I and Mohammed V in 1300 an earthly paradise. Its two patios, exquisitely carved ceiling stucco, friezes, capitals and arches, geometric mosaics, fountains and a sense of endless perspective were the embodiment of the heyday of the Moorish style in Spain. Made from wonderfully tiled Mehuar (Council Hall) walk to the Patio del Cuarto Dorado and then to the stunning Salon de los Embajadores (Hall of ambassadors) in the Comares tower. This building is crowned with a domed vault, which is said to have been made from more than 8,000 cedar wood tiles. Pay attention to the masterful stucco work of the walls, beautiful mukarcas (lattice stucco ceiling, arches and domes) and then admire the wonderful view from the windows. In the Patio de los Arrayanes (Myrtle Yard) one of the best perspectives of the Alhambra is presented, which is emphasized by the myrtle bushes on the sides of the reservoir.

From here, a passage leads to the Hall of the Mozarabs, which is preceded by the famous Lion's Courtyard. This rhythmically organized, colonnaded space is divided into four parts in the traditional Islamic spirit, dominated by a fountain and water channels - symbols of the four streams of life. The pool, whose rim is dotted with poetic stanzas praising the beauty of the courtyard, the garden and the play of the waters, is guarded by 12 stone lions. The author of these and many other inscriptions in the Alhambra was the chief minister of Muhammad V ibn Samraq.

Around the patio are three halls of exceptional beauty. The most impressive Sala de las dos Hermanas (Hall of the Two Sisters, on the left as you enter the patio) with an octagonal domed ceiling decorated with wonderful muqarnas resembling stalactites. They are flooded with natural light streaming in through the windows below.

On the opposite side, this hall is connected by a water channel with the Abenserrach Hall. It has a high domed ceiling and stalactite vaults. Third Hall, Sala de los Reyes (Hall of Kings), located behind a cluster of arches. Its ceiling was painted by Christian artists hired by Mohammed V. To the north, another hall leads to the Mirador de Daraja, above a beautiful garden courtyard.

From the main palace you can go to the Palacio del Partal, which was probably the first part of the building. Arched gallery leading to the Torre de las Damas (To the ladies' tower), which is reflected in the mirror purity of the large pool. Set apart at different levels, the gardens create a bridge leading to the Generalife.

Generalife

The building of the Generalife, erected above the level of the Alhambra, was a summer palace. Its main attraction is the oblong pool surrounded by fountains in the Patio de la Acequia; in addition, there are terraced gardens, gazebos and cypress groves, giving healing coolness even in the summer heat.

There is not much to see in the former royal apartments, except for wonderful views, so visit the Mirador de la Sultana observation deck at the very top.

At the end of June, musical and dance performances are held in the gardens of the Generalife.

Palace of Charles V

The Palace of Charles V was designed by Pedro Machuca, a student of Michelangelo. The vast circular courtyard represents the World Empire (i.e. globe) and completely unlike all the other buildings of the Alhambra. Inside are the Museum of Fine Arts and the Alhambra Museum. The latter presents examples of Spanish-Muslim art. Upstairs, in the Fine Arts section, works by Granadian masters are kept. (Diego de Siloe, Alonso Cano, Pedro de Mena, Diego and José de Mora).

"Red Castle" - this is the translation of the name of the chic palace complex, which I want to tell you about today. Where exactly the name came from, today no one will say. Either the abundance of red torches on the fortress walls gave rise to this. Whether the color of clay dried in the sun served as an impetus for such a name. Whatever it was, but I interpret it in my own way. And in my opinion, "red" is "beautiful"! And you will be convinced of this by visiting here personally. To do this, you need to come to the castle (Spain).

So, either a city, or a garden, or a fortress, or a huge Moorish complex of palaces and gardens.

History of creation

Built Alhambra, built, and finally built. They began to build a palace complex in the 13th century, although in fact they began to “swarm” here several centuries earlier.

Back in the 9th century, in official documentary records, there were references to a dilapidated fortress, which was located on this very site even before the palace. In those distant times, one of the warring rulers of the Emirate of Cordoba was hiding from opponents in these ruins. For another hundred or two hundred years, the fortress was strengthened, rebuilt, until in the 11th century it was territorially connected with the city. The fortress turned into a more or less independent quarter (medina). Such quarters could be self-sufficient if the conquerors besieged the city.

Fateful events took place here in the first half of the 13th century. Then a certain Mohammed ibn Nasr “grabbed off” a little power in the state of Muslims. He became the founder of the Emirate of Granada with its capital in Granada. Of course, it was decided to make the residence in the Alhambra.

The castle began to be heavily fortified. After all, the residence of the ruler ... They strengthened it so diligently and responsibly that the heirs of Muhammad even had to change the course of the local river - all for the sake of the “common military cause”.

As you understand, at that time the building played the role of a defensive structure, which did not look like a luxurious palace. And only in the 14th century, one of the heirs of the ruler began to give Alhambra the appearance of a real palace complex.

At the same time, the Palace of Lions was built, several new gates and baths, and carvings appeared on the walls. Subsequently, few people cared about the decoration and decoration of the palace. The palace is the way it was in the 14th century.

The 15th century became a new important moment in the life of the Alhambra. Then Granada was liberated from the Mauritanians. The Spanish crown took possession of the palace. In the 16th century, the complex was supplemented with a special palace for Charles V. In parallel with this, some of the old buildings were destroyed, as were the decorative elements on the palace walls. In the 18th century, the palace "fell into a coma", almost forgot about it, bringing it to destruction and decline ...

It was again remembered in the 19th century. It was not the rulers who laid eyes on her, but creative people - painters and writers. For almost 60 years in a row, they tried to restore the complex, "sucking out of the finger" some of its details. They approached the work not scientifically, but creatively ... What can I say, artists are impressionable and imaginative people ... And only after a while, with the advent of the 20th century, they began to restore the palace, relying on historical documents.

Now it is a whole palace and park complex, consisting of a fortress and palaces with museums, gardens and sculptural compositions. Alhambra is experiencing its rebirth, attracting millions of tourists every year.

Palace elements

Since our attraction is a whole architectural ensemble, it would be wrong to talk about it as one palace.

For convenience, as a rule, the Alhambra is divided into zones or sectors. So it is easier to describe, and tourists will not get lost.

Alcazaba

Earlier in Spain, the Arabs used this word to call the fortified residence of their ruler. In our case, the Alcazaba is the oldest part of the complex, located on the top of the hill. Here lived the first "builders" and owners of the fortress.

Of the oldest building elements, we can see the ancient walls, the Watchtower, the ruins of several old buildings, the remains of a reservoir for collecting water, a prison and part of residential buildings for servants. In our time, gardens were also included in this sector. But they appeared later, they have nothing to do with the old buildings.

The last dynasty of emirs, its representatives lived right here in this building with adjacent courtyards, halls and towers. This is where the powerful lived most of the time. There was their, so to speak, permanent residence. The palace had three sectors: Meshuar, the Palace of Lions and Comares. Tourists can still see them today. Meshuar is a room for the work of the court, the reception of citizens. Comares is the official residence for receiving high-ranking guests and foreign envoys. And in the Palace of Lions lived the "lions" themselves, the rulers. There were their private quarters. In the Emir's Palace today they tried to restore as much as possible the interior that was during the reign of its owners. Come and rule.

Charles V of Habsburg, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, officially stayed here (in the Alhambra) during the summer. But the ruler, apparently, was capricious - the old buildings did not satisfy him, he desired a new palace for himself. And in the 16th century, opposite the old one, they began to build a new palace. It was later called the Palace of Charles V. The style was chosen - the Italian Renaissance. The building is in the shape of a square. The patio is round. It was completed only in the 20th century, when there was no trace of the customer.

As I said above, over time it became a full-fledged residential area (district, quarter). It included both government palaces and the residential sector of commoners. The medina was named the Upper Alhambra. Here, in fact, lived ordinary people, and gentlemen, and artisans. All of them were employed in the maintenance of the palace complex. The quarter itself was quite noticeably separated from the "royal part" - a moat was dug, which was surrounded by a solid wall with fortress towers. When the era of Christians came, this part of the complex was abandoned. Buildings have collapsed over time. In one palace, the Catholics set up their monastery. The rest of the medina was made into a park (garden).

This palace is often written separately as a famous landmark of Granada. This is a kind of separate item in the tourist guides' itineraries. This palace is located 350 meters from the main Alhambra complex. It's funny, but the rulers "came" here to rest, as we go to the country today. Although the distance is just like "a cat cried." There was not even a brick left of the former appearance of the Generalife. The Christian era and regular restructuring have completely erased everything that was originally there. Add to this a period of complete devastation that dragged on for decades. And, despite this, this palace is amazingly beautiful. If you do not "bother" on the lack of "pristine", then there is something to look at.

Local gardens are spoken of as a separate independent tourist site. To say "gardens" is to say nothing. Behind this word, the garden plantations themselves, and wonderful cozy courtyards, and fountains on terraces, cascades of water streams, canals, reservoirs, artsy arches, weightless vaults, slender colonnades, carved windows with airy light patterns ... Everywhere are decorated with Arabic script with glorification Allah, floral ornaments, bright multi-colored mosaics, ceramic tiles, openwork carvings on wood and even stone.

Wonderfully smelling oranges, avenues of slender cypresses, blooming flower beds, the murmur of water in cascades and splashing fountains. It seems that when laying out the gardens of the Alhambra in Granada, their creators paid special attention and importance to water and light. Everything here is subordinated to the general idea of ​​​​creating comfort, coziness, bright joy ...

Water came to the canals and fountains from the mountain slopes. The value of water in the era of the Moors was high. It's like columns for the Greeks. Water was supposed to be an indispensable element of important architectural ensembles of that time.

How to get there?

How to get to the Alhambra Palace in Granada? As I have repeatedly said, the palace ensemble is located on a hill called La Sabica near the very historical center of Granada. Therefore, problems with the search for this attraction should not arise.

Three popular ways: on your own two, by car (personal or taxi), by bus.

From the city center to the hill is no more than a kilometer walk. Therefore, it will not be difficult to walk on foot. Starting point - the Cathedral of Granada. If you are pressed for time, then use public transport, or rent a car. The route you need is C3. For the convenience of tourists with cars, there are guarded parking lots near the palace complex. If you do not eat on a sightseeing bus, but take a car, then your path will be slightly different from the "bus". You will have to drive not from the city center, but from the southern section of the ring road.

Ticket price and opening hours

Here, as usual, I advise you to take a look at the official website of the Alhambra, so as not to get into a mess.

The entrance ticket to the Nasrid Palace is valid only for 30 minutes from the time indicated on the ticket. This is due to the limitation of the number of visitors in the premises of the palace. If you are late and your 30 minutes are up, no one will let you in, you will have to buy a ticket again.

A single ticket to visit the entire complex of palaces at once does not exist. Rather, it exists, but such a ticket entitles you to a very, very general overview of the territory. If you want to examine everything in detail and scrupulously, then tickets to each palace and even to the gardens must be purchased separately. In addition, there are tickets for daytime and evening visits. They also differ in price.

So, the most common sightseeing ticket to the Alhambra Palace in Spain costs 14 euros. Children under 12 years old enter free of charge. From 12 to 15 years old - pay 8 euros. Seniors over 65 years old - pay 9 euros for admission. Tickets for the disabled are sold for 8 euros.

Find out more detailed information on visiting each zone of the Alhambra on the website.

Important: on average, the tour takes at least three hours. Tickets are sold out with a bang. Therefore, purchase them in advance. It is more convenient to do this online on the official website of the Palace Complex. Taking photos and selfies is allowed, but without flashes and tripods. No smoking!!! You can eat and drink only in certain specially designated places.

The first visitors here begin to let in at 8.30 in the morning. In winter, the facility closes at 21.30, and in summer at 23.30.

As usual, the visit is possible with a guide or on your own. This also affects ticket prices.

Outcome

Whatever you call it - an architectural masterpiece of Islamic masters or an outstanding monument of Moorish architecture - in any case, this is an amazingly beautiful attraction. Her fame has long gone beyond Granada and Spain. Could the last rulers of the Muslim dynasty in Granada have imagined that their home would (roughly speaking) be admired by millions of foreigners today? The usual, it would seem, for that time fortress and palace complex centuries later, having experienced prosperity and devastation, became an unsurpassed property not only of the Spaniards, but of all mankind. Not a red word for the sake of saying I'm all this now. This beauty is difficult to describe, it must be seen. To which I urge you with all my story about the Alhambra.

Alhambra is a fortress-palace of the Moorish period, an attraction indicated in all tourist routes in Spain. Is in . Currently, the fortress is one of the most visited museums; about 2 million tourists visit it every year.

The history of the appearance of the Alhambra (Alhambra)

On the site of the real palace there was a dilapidated ancient fortress, the first memories of which were dated 889. During this period, a civil war was going on in the Emirate of Cordoba. The local ruler was hiding from trouble in the Granada citadel.

The organizer of the rebellion, Muhammad ibn Nasr, in 1238 seized part of the power in the state and founded. He chose the Alhambra as his residence, and appointed Granada the capital of the new state.

The ruler immediately began to strengthen the castle in Granada. Walls were built, climbed towers: Lookout, Hommaja and Heirs of the World. The next rulers Muhammad II and Muhammad III expanded the boundaries of the residence. The course of the river surrounding the hill has been changed. In the vacant place, baths and warehouses were built, where one could sit out a long siege.

In the XIV century, Yusuf I and Muhammad V took up the global restructuring of the fortress, gradually turning it into a real palace. At this time, new gates were built, baths and the walls were decorated in oriental style. Subsequent rulers changed little in the beauty of the famous palace. Today, the Alhambra has a number of attractions that tourists should definitely see.

Nasrid Palaces (Palacios Nazaries)

The Nasrid palaces are considered the heart of the Alhambra. They were owned by rulers from the Nasrid family. Each of the palaces is unique in its beauty. Each emir tried to leave a mark on history, surpassing the capabilities of his predecessor. For several centuries, a complex of sophisticated, refined and beautiful buildings in the world has “grown”. Conventionally, the Nasrid palaces consist of three parts: Meshvara (Mexuar), the Comares Palace (Comares) and the Lions Palace (Leones).

Entering the palace complex, the visitor finds himself in the most ancient part Meshwara (Mexuar). The name means "the place where the council of ministers (shura) sits." Meshwara consists of several halls and small courtyards. In the first hall the royal court sat. The top of the room is decorated with carvings. The beautifully carved cedar ceiling is held up by marble columns. The walls are decorated with colorful mosaics in the form of arabesques. During the Christian period, the hall was a chapel, but after the restoration, it was almost completely returned to its original appearance.

A small room leads to the hall. It offers a wonderful view of Albasin. There used to be a chapel here. The walls of the room are covered with prayers from the Koran. On the east side of the room there is a niche pointing towards Mecca.

Another part of the Nasrid Palace was once the official residence of the ruler. It was erected during the reign of Yusuf I and named Palace of Comares (Torre de Comares). Attraction begins with myrtle courtyard, striking the eyes of visitors with the simplicity of lines and beauty. Inside there is a pond measuring 34.7 x 7.2 meters, framed on all sides by marble slabs. Water gets into it from round fountains, goldfish swim in the pond. The murmur of water soothes the hearing of visitors.

Behind the Myrtle courtyard is the highest of the towers - Comares.

She reaches a height 45 meters. Behind her was Hall of Ambassadors. It is the most luxurious room in the complex. The ceilings are 23 meters high and amaze with their beauty. As planned, the Hall was supposed to become the personification of the Universe, which is controlled by the Sultan. The palace is decorated with numerous patterns, stucco, Arabic inscriptions, clay carvings.

Palace of Lions (Palacio de los Leones)- was built during the reign of Muhammad V. The Sultan lived here with his family. Majestic arches are striking, the play of light and shadow imitates the movement of hanging stalactites. Ancient Arabic patterns are laid out of ceramic tiles. There is a starry ceiling in one of the halls of the Lvov Palace.

There is a palace, in its center there is a fountain with 12 sculptures of lions. On their backs they hold a bowl on which are written verses of the Arab poet Ibn Zamrak with praises of the Emir. Along the perimeter of the territory there are thin, single and double columns. There are pavilions on the east and west sides.

During the caliphate, a garden was laid out on the site of the courtyard. Women from the harem walked along it.

Boat Hall

Passing from myrtle courtyard through an arch with stalactites, visitors enter the Boat Hall. In Arabic, the name sounds like "Sala de la Barca". Historians claim that the name comes from the word "al-baraka", which means "blessing" in Arabic. The walls of the hall are decorated with plaster moldings depicting the Nasrid coat of arms. The coat of arms reads the word "Blessing" and the motto of the Nasrids "Only the Lord is the winner."

Along the edges of the plinth are alcoves lined with tiles. The columns support scalloped semicircular arches. Mozarab shells and muqarnas act as decorations.

The Hall of the Abenserrach is opposite Hall of the Two Sisters. According to legend, all representatives of the Abenserrach family were beheaded in this place. In the center of the hall is a marble bowl, on which there are stains that look like rust. Legend claims that these are blood stains left after the execution.

At the entrance to the hall there are two arches separated by a corridor. The walls of the hall are decorated with arches, and the columns with blue capitals. The ceilings in the hall are painted. The walls are gypsum, decorated with panels with tiles made in the Renaissance style. Above the hall is a honeycomb vault of amazing beauty. The windows below the arch create low lighting and a fabulous atmosphere.

The official summer residence of Charles V of Habsburg was the Alhambra. The old palaces did not meet the requirements of the emperor, therefore, in the 16th century, the construction of a new castle began, which was later called the palace of Charles V.

The building was built in the style of the Italian Renaissance. The construction of the palace took a long time. In fact, it ended only in the twentieth century. Inside the building there is a small courtyard with a diameter of 30 m. On the ground floor of the building is the Alhambra Museum. It presents the finds of archaeologists that were found during the excavation of the sights. The second floor of the palace is dedicated to the Museum of Fine Arts of Granada.

Church of Santa Maria is located next to the palace of Charles V. It was built on the site of a former mosque in the period 1581 - 1618. The first mass after the liberation of the city from the Moors was held here.

Partal Gardens (Jardines del Partal)

The gardens of the Partal spread out from raud towers before ladies' tower. Plantings are broken in the form of ledges, they surround the royal palaces. At one time, the gardens served as a place for walking for the first persons of the Caliphate. The name of the building Partal - means Portico, formed with the help of five arches. Their curves are displayed in the smooth surface of the pond, complementing the unusually picturesque picture. Inside Partali there is a large observation deck.

Generalife

Generalife is called the High or Upper Garden. This place was the summer residence of the Nasrids. The Generalife Gardens are located on the hill of Cerro del Sol. The garden and park complex belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is the oldest Moorish garden that has survived to this day. The garden was created to recreate the images of paradise described in the Koran.

Upper Alhambra

At the end of the Arab rule, the Alhambra area became a full-fledged part of the city, the medina . This included not only a palace with a fortress, but also a residential area. Representatives of the upper class, artisans who served the complex, lived in the Upper Alhambra. The quarter was separated from the citadel by a moat, part of which has been preserved to this day. The quarter is surrounded by a fortress wall with a large number of towers.

In the XVIII century the complex was abandoned and gradually began to collapse. In the 19th century, on the initiative of Spanish writers and artists, the reconstruction of the fortress began. It was carried out for six decades by a dynasty of artists. Historians have recognized it as not entirely successful. In the twentieth century, the architect Leopoldo Balbas decided to correct the mistakes of his predecessors. To do this, he studied historical documents and images of the Alhambra of past centuries.

Currently, the Alhambra is a palace and park complex with a fortress, museums, and gardens.

How to get to the Alhambra?

The Alhambra Castle is located on a mountain. You can get to it on foot, but the road will be about a kilometer long uphill. On hot summer days, this can be difficult, so you can take bus number 30 from the city to the Gates of Justice.

Attraction opening hours

Winter period (05.10 - 14.03):

• day visit: daily from 08:30 – 18:00;
• evening visit: Friday and Saturday from 20:00 - 21:30 hours.

Summer period:

• day visit: daily from 08:30 - 20:00 hours;
• evening visit: Tuesday - Saturday from 22:00 - 23:30 hours.

Ticket price

It is worth taking care of the purchase of entrance tickets in advance, since the access of visitors is limited to a certain number.

How to buy tickets.

1. On the day of the visit at the box office.
2. In online mode. The method saves time. It is allowed to purchase no more than 10 tickets at a time.
3. By phone at +34934923750 (08:00 - 24:00 hours).

Types of tickets and access to them:

• Alhambra General. With this type of ticket, you can visit all the sights of the Alhambra fortress.
• Dobla de Oro ticket- allows you to visit the Alhambra General, as well as the Moorish monuments in the Albaicín quarter.
• Alhambra and Rodriguez Acosta Foundation. Allows you to visit attractions in accordance with the Alhambra General ticket, as well as the fund of works by the artist Rodriguez Acosta.
• Alhambra Gardens, Generalife and the Alcazaba. With a ticket you can get access to all the monuments, except for the Nasrid palaces.
• Alhambra at Night Palaces. With a ticket you can get access only at night to the Nasrid Palaces. Entrance to the Generalife Gardens is not included.
• Alhambra Experiences- night tour of the Nasrid palaces and day tour of the Generalife Gardens.
• Alhambra at Night Generalife- night tour of the Generalife Gardens and the summer residence.

Prices

• Full ticket for a daytime session - 14 euros.
• For a night visit - 8 euros.
• Entrance to the Alhambra gardens only - 7 euros.
• Children under 12 years old - free of charge.

Audio guide in Russian - 6 euros.