Alhambra is a palace and fortress in Granada, Andalusia.
It was built during the 9th century and completed towards the end of Muslim rule of Spain by Yusuf I and Muhammed V. Firstly it was supposed to be a military area, but it ended up being a residence of royalty. Later on, the fortress became a citadel.
The most important places of Alhambra are:
- Charles V palace: the contuction was started in 1533, and was abandoned years later.
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| The inside of the palace is round but the outside is squared |
- Medina: the public baths, ovens, workshops, silos, cisterns and the houses of top government officials, employees and court servants.
- Alcazaba: the fortified military complex. The first Arab constructions date from the Caliph period.
- Rauda: The royal cemetery.
- Nasrid palaces: this is the residence of the kings of Granada. Three palaces form this area: The Mexur, The Comares and The Palace Of Lions.
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| mexur |
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| comares |
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| palace of lions |
- Generalife:This was a leisure villa of the sultan of Granada.
Legend of Alhambra:
Out of the four gates through which the Alhambra can be entered, the largest and most impressive is the Gate of Justice. Apparently, the gate was built so well that it could withstand the attack of a thousand armies. When the gate was constructed, two Islamic symbols were carved onto it. On the inner wall, facing the Alhambra, is a carved shape of a hand. On the opposite outer wall there is a shape of a key. Together, the two shapes symbolise religious doctrine and faith. According to legend, the only way that the two will ever meet is when the end of the world comes, because there is no other way that unconquerable Alhambra could fall.
Places around:
Since you are in Granada you can take advantage to visit places near Alhambra:
- Albaycin and Sacromonte: these are two historic neighborhoods close to Alhambra.
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A= Sacromonte
B= Alhambra |
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A= Alhambra
B= Albaycín |
- Cathedral of Granada: In the royal Chapel you can find the remains of the Catholic Monarchs, Philip the Handsome and Joanne the Mad.
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A= Cathedral
B= Alhambra |
- poultry coal(corral del carbón): It is the oldest monument left to us by the Arabs and the best corn exchange of the peninsula .
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A= Poultry Coal
B= Alhambra |
- Sierra Nevada: If you love skiing you can´t miss this opportunity.
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A= Sierra Nevada
B= Alhambra |
- Nerja: If you don´t mind longer journeys this is a beautiful place to visit.
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A=Nerja
B=Alhambra
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