12 Interesting Facts You May Not Know About Alhambra Palace In Granada
The Alhambra Palace in Granada is one of the world’s most visited monuments, situated in Andalusia Spain. The attraction is sure to leave you wanting more as it manages to surprise and delight you with its intricate architecture and history. Here are some interesting facts about Alhambra that are not known to many and will greatly enrich your visit to Granada.
12 Interesting Facts About Alhambra Palace in Granada
1. Known as the Red Fortress or Red Castle
Alhambra Palace is called the Red Fortress for a very simple reason, the word ‘Alhambra’ commonly means red or vermilion castle in the Arabic language. It is said that the name was apt due to the colors of the towers and the red walls surrounding the citadel.
2. Built on Roman Ruins
Before it became a palace, the Romans began constructing fortifications on the locations during their occupation of Spain. With the fall of the Roman Empire, these fortifications then became a ruin. Late in the year 889 A.D., a small fortress was built, replacing the ruins that the Romans had left.
3. People from various social classes did not cross paths
Back in the day, the people who lived in the palace belonging to each social class had a walkway set of theirs while approaching the sultanate. The cleaning staff had a separate corridor, another for administrations, scribes, and a separate entrance for the Sultan and his family called the royal court walk. It was the same space, but no mixing was allowed!
Alhambra became a city of its own
The design that was made for Alhambra had 6 palaces, numerous bathhouses, two towers, and an irrigation system called ‘acequias’, that removed the dependency on rainwater collection. The Muslims enjoyed economic and cultural prosperity during the reign of the Nasrid Dynasty thus transforming Alhambra into a palatine city.
5. The Walls of Alhambra Speak
Most of the walls in Alhambra have inscriptions. They are not decorative but consist of poems and quotes from the Qur’an that filled everyday life with beauty and spirituality. If you are keen to know more about these before you visit, check out the book ‘Reading the Alhambra’ by Jose Miguel Puerta.
6. It was built to be a paradise on earth
The Muslim Emirs curated an architectural style using a quadrangular building that all came together in a central courtyard. An interesting fact about the Alhambra is that all the additions made by later Emirs followed a similar pattern, connecting quadrangular rooms with smaller rooms and passages. The theme was consistent: ‘To resemble a paradise on earth.’
7. The Tiles used in Alhambra were unique
The tilework is pure symmetry and all the corners adhere to mathematical principles. This was designed to represent Allah’s grandeur on Earth. Hence, this had to be perfect. However, it is said that the designers included one invisible mistake to the naked eye because according to them, aiming for complete perfection was considered to be a defiance of God.
8. The Alhambra Palaces were constructed in the 13th century
All the palaces that are seen within the Alhambra complexes were not built until the 13th century. It came into being by the end of the Nasrid dynasty and additions to the fortified site offered a space for the Nasrid emirs until the end of the dynasty when Spain defeated the Moors.
9. The flooring of the Hall of Ambassadors was replaced
The Hall of Ambassadors is the largest room in the complex where the sultan hosted the grand receptions. It was also the throne room, consisting of double arches, glazed tiled, and a lot of inscriptions from the Koran. The flooring, however, is now covered with clay floor tiles, but before the refurbishment, it was made from marble.
10. The Alhambra Palace had a great hydraulic system
Before it was transformed into a beautiful palace, there wasn’t a cistern that did not contain water. People had to fetch water in buckets and get them to the hills. Later, a hydraulic system that resembled the system was built over the centuries to supply the palace and its gardens with water.
11. The Alhambra Palace has an ancient cooling system
On entering the court of Myrtles within the Palace, you will see a goldfish pool. This was built to provide cooling for the interiors of the Palace and symbolized power. This pool was made from marble, was surrounded by a sunken garden, and stood out from all the others.
12. The decorations in the Palace were made from plaster
The decoration dates back to the great period of Andalusian art in Granada and influences Byzantine contemporary architecture. The artists who worked on these decorations carved plaster and not stone. They also used tile mosaics for paneling for the arches and columns.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Alhambra Palace
A. The Alhambra is a palace and fortress situated in Granada, Spain, and is the most known monument of Islamic architecture. It has been the best-preserved palace and has examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture.
A. The name Alhambra means ‘red’ in Arabic and is said to be inspired by the reddish color of the outer walls of the Palace.
A. The Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex that is situated in Granada, Andalusia, Spain.
A. The Alhambra Palace in Granada was built by the founding king Mohammed Ibn Yusuf Ben Nasr, also known as Alhamar.
A. The Alhambra Palace was built between 1238 and 1358, during the reign of Ibn al-Ahmar, founder of the Nasrid dynasty.
A. It was a military zone in the beginning before Alhambra became the royal residence and court of Granada in the mid-13th century.
A. Alhambra’s architecture consists of stunning frescoes, highly decorated columns and arches, and ornamented walls that have stories of a turbulent era.
A. The most famous are the Comares Palace, the Mexuar, the Palace of the Lions, and the Partal Palace, which is a main attraction to visitors.
