Alhambra - castle in Granada (GSpain)

Where is located Alhambra?

Address of Alhambra is Granada, Andalusia, Spain
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When was built Alhambra?

Built date of Alhambra is Years 1238 - 1390

Facts, informations and history of Alhambra

The Alhambra served the Nasrid dynasty of Granada as a military headquarters, administrative center and royal residence. 25 sovereign rulers from the Nasrid dynasty ruled here for 250 years.

The Alhambra was built in the early 13th century by the Moorish ruler Muhammad I ibn Nasr, founder of the Nasrid dynasty. In the following centuries, the Alhambra was expanded by subsequent Muslim rulers, becoming the main seat of the sultans of Granada. In 1492, the Catholic monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile captured Granada, ultimately leading to the fall of Muslim Spain. The Alhambra became the seat of the Catholic Spanish monarchs.

The architecture of the Alhambra is a combination of Islamic, Christian and Jewish styles, reflecting the richness and cultural diversity of Spain during this period. The period of the Nasrid dynasty, called the Golden Age, was the time of the greatest expansion and architectural splendor of the Alhambra.

From the outside, it was a defensive fortress with 27 towers. Inside, courtyards, corridors and waterways merge into a dazzling whole. The ubiquitous, exquisite decorations in the form of ceramic tiles, stone carvings, arabesques and surprisingly sophisticated calligraphic patterns are considered by some to be the pinnacle of Muslim decorative art in the West: delicate, elegant and technically perfect. Others think the whole place smacks of decadence.

In the Alhambra there are: the Court of Myrtles (planted in the flower beds by the pool), the Hall of the Two Sisters (two white marbles built into the floor), the Court of Lions (with a fountain with 12 lions standing around it) and the Hall of Ambassadors (created in the image of paradise).

The Alhambra is famous for its wealth of decorative details, including elaborate bas-reliefs, arabesque patterns, ceramic mosaics and decorative paintings.

One of the most famous places in the Alhambra is the Patio de los Leones (Court of the Lions), with its characteristic marble fountain with 12 lions and elaborately decorated arcades. In the Alhambra you can see many "architectural necklaces", i.e. filigree decorations placed on walls, ceilings and arches.

Another important place is the Patio de los Arrayanes (Myrtle Courtyard), with characteristic myrtle alleys and a fountain reflecting in the water.

The Nasrid Palace in the Alhambra is the most impressive part of the complex, with audience halls, private apartments, gardens and courtyards.

The Alhambra also contains the Alcazaba fortress, built on a hill that served a defensive and guarding function.

The Generalife Garden, part of the Alhambra complex, is approximately 50 x 30 meters in size and contains many fountains, paths and plants that create a peaceful atmosphere.

The Alhambra has an advanced system of fountains and irrigation canals that were used to water the gardens and fountains in Muslim times.

The Alhambra in Granada, due to its extraordinary architecture, rich decorative details and fascinating history, is one of the most important places in Spain and attracts millions of tourists from all over the world. This extraordinary cultural heritage reminds us of the multicultural history of the Iberian Peninsula and has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

How many meters have Alhambra?

Height of Alhambra is 27 meters

Construction/building type

Building Alhambra is of type Castle, Palace

Architectural style

Architectural style of Alhambra is Moorish

Other dimensions, parameters and frequently asked questions

What area have Alhambra?

Alhambra have area of 140,000 square meters

What material is the building made of?

Alhambra is made of the following materials: Stone, marble, wood

Is the building on the UNESCO World Heritage List?

Yes, the building Alhambra is inscribed on the UNESCO List under the reference 314bis.
The listing took place in the year 1984.
Details of the entry are available on the Unesco website at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/314bis/

Official website

The official website of the building, where up-to-date information can be found, is http://www.alhambradegranada.org