1. Alhambra - Granada
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First created. 18 Dec 2007. Version 3.0. Sep
2010. London. Jerry Tse.All rights reserved. Available free for non-commercial and non-profit use only
Nasrid Palace
2. History of Al Andalus and Moorish Spain
Al-Andalus 1035
In 711, an invading force of Muslims made up of Arabs from
Damascus and Berber from North Africa defeated the
Visigoth of Spain. This gave rise to the most brilliant
civilization of early medieval Europe. The Muslim settlers,
the Moors called Spain, Al Andalus. By 714, the Moors were
in control of all of Spain, except for a narrow strip along the
north coast.
A rich and powerful caliphate (a kind of Islamic Republic) was established in Cordoba and
mathematics, science, architecture and the decorative arts flourished. Together with Christian and
Jews, they studies and translated the discoveries and achievements of the Ancient Greek into books,
which eventually found their ways into Italy and became the driving forces behind the Renaissance.
As time went by the Cordoba caliphate broke up into smaller kingdoms, as the Christian north regained
some of the lost territories (see map).
In 1492, Ferdinand II and Isabella re-conquered Spain, by defeating the last of the Islamic kingdoms,
Emirate of Granada. This ended over 700 years of Islamic rules in Spain. The last of the Islamic
palace, the Nasrid Palace at Alhambra in Granada fell into the possession of the Catholic Monarchs,
Ferdinand II and Isabella.
29. Patio de los Leones (Courtyard of the lions) has a fountain in the middle connecting to the surround rooms with
water channels, help to cool the airs.
46. History and Art of the Palace
The palace is only a part of the Alhambra,
which included other palaces, gardens and
even a fortress.
The palace was built in the 14C, before 1492,
when emirate fell into the Spanish hands.
Therefore the palace reflects the culture of
the last century of Moorish rules. The palace
is a testament of the skills of Muslim, Jew and
Christian artisans, craftsmen and builders of
the time.
Horse-shoe arches, developed during the
Islamic rules were widely used in particular
around the courtyards. Stalactite-like lantern
ceilings were used in several chambers. The
lantern ceilings created drafts around
fountains that help to cool the rooms
There were extensive uses of stucco
decorated with calligraphy and arabesques
intricate geometric patterns.
47. All rights reserved. Available free for non-commercial and non-profit use only
Music – 2nd
movement from Concierto de Aranjuez (Adagio), by Joaquin Rodrigo (1901-1999)
composed in 1939. He was blinded at the age of three.
The End
Alhambra
