Alhambra
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Granada 'Red Fortress' City within city
SITTING majestically high above the ancient city of Granada in southern Spain is the fortress palace known as the Alhambra which in Arabic means, "the Red One". This grand stone structure on the red hill of La Sabika is an old walled city within a city.
During the day, the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada frame the ninth century Unesco World Heritage Site and at night, floodlights illuminate the Moorish-styled Alhambra and the adjoining Generalife Gardens much to the delight of diners eating alfresco in the Albayzin section of the city. As the sun sinks below the horizon, the snowy slopes take on a pink hue and create wonderful opportunities for photographers who line the area armed with cameras mounted on tripods in order to imortalise the occasion.
The Alhambra's carved stone, tranquil ponds, ornate arches and magnificent domes contribute to this being Spain's most visited monument in a country that has a wealth of old and grand buildings.
While there are many other sights and attractions in the modern city and surrounding region, it is the ninth century Alhambra that acts as a magnet for most visitors.
Granada has been a bridge between the Orient and West for centuries. Spanish history is quite complex as it has been enriched by people from various lands, religious beliefs and cultural traditions.
First the Romans, then the Visigoths, the Moors and then the Christians have all left their mark on the landscape and their various grand landmark structures are the most obvious signs.
Granada is the epicentre of Spain's Moorish treasures as it was the capital of the country's last Moorish kingdom. The territory of the Moors was declared an emirate under Abdul al-Rahman, the last surviving member of the Umayyad Dynasty who had escaped from a coup in what is now known as Baghdad. The Moorish capital was Cordoba and it was then the largest city in Europe. During this time, Islam, Christianity and Judaism lived together in relative harmony.
Granada's heyday was in 1238 when Mohamed Ben Nasar founded the Nazarite Dynasty and the bulk of the Alhambra was built in the 14th century. While Cordoba and Sevilla fell to the Christians 200 years before Granada, Granada flourished on artistic brilliance. The buildings constructed during this era were ornate, they had horseshoe-shaped arches and, decorative wall tiles. Granada excelled in art, silk-making, ceramics and tile making among many other arts and crafts.
The Moorish kingdom lasted until 1492 when Boabdil el Chico was obliged to hand the city over to the Catholic monarchs. They did this only after a 10-year battle. Despite the change of power, the city continued to grow and new civil and religious monuments were constructed including the Renaissance Palace of Charles V located in the Alhambra and which currently houses the Hispanic-Muslim Art Museum.
The adjoining Generalife Gardens are where the Nazarite kings stayed during the summer months. These are the ancient recreational grounds of royalty and the gardens and fountains have been, and remain a constant inspiration for artists.
In 1984, the Alhambra and Generalife were declared a Unesco World Heritage Site and Albayzin was included in 1994. Albayzin is located below the Alhambra and is a residential area rich in Arab architecture that merges harmoniously with Andaluci{aac}an architecture.
The Unesco gazettal ensured the protection of its beautiful Hispano-Arab art complex belonging to the Nazarite culture. Its strategic high position over the city enables visitors to get excellent views of the surrounding modern city, the Sierra Nevada and the surrounding countryside.
The Parador San Francisco opens onto the immaculately landscaped gardens of the Generalife. This unique hotel is part of a collection of uniquely Spanish properties located in former grand building like palaces and castles.
For shoppers, the Gran Via in the city below offers designer shops and department stores while the old narrow lanes of Alcaicera are uniquely Spanish.
The property is a former 16th century convent of just 32 exclusive rooms.
Granada is a good city for wandering and the tourist authorities have produced some excellent resources to help independent travellers find their own way around the main attractions. One of the main inner city features is the Cathedral with its Gothic and Renaissance architecture containing the royal chapel with tombs of some past Catholic monarchs.
Granada is a university town so there is an abundance of young people and the restaurants and nightclubs are popular and always seem to be packed.
Granada can be linked with the other great Andaluci{aac}an city of Cordoba via the "Route of the Caliphates". This is a spiritual odyssey that is well documented with tourism publications and passes the fine agricultural towns of Baena and Montilla. Visitors to the area can also visit the snowy highlands of the Sierra Nevada and continue onto the Mediterranean Sea and Costa de Almeria for an unforgettable journey.The Brunei Times
SITTING majestically high above the ancient city of Granada in southern Spain is the fortress palace known as the Alhambra which in Arabic means, "the Red One". This grand stone structure on the red hill of La Sabika is an old walled city within a city.
During the day, the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada frame the ninth century Unesco World Heritage Site and at night, floodlights illuminate the Moorish-styled Alhambra and the adjoining Generalife Gardens much to the delight of diners eating alfresco in the Albayzin section of the city. As the sun sinks below the horizon, the snowy slopes take on a pink hue and create wonderful opportunities for photographers who line the area armed with cameras mounted on tripods in order to imortalise the occasion.
The Alhambra's carved stone, tranquil ponds, ornate arches and magnificent domes contribute to this being Spain's most visited monument in a country that has a wealth of old and grand buildings.
While there are many other sights and attractions in the modern city and surrounding region, it is the ninth century Alhambra that acts as a magnet for most visitors.
Granada has been a bridge between the Orient and West for centuries. Spanish history is quite complex as it has been enriched by people from various lands, religious beliefs and cultural traditions.
First the Romans, then the Visigoths, the Moors and then the Christians have all left their mark on the landscape and their various grand landmark structures are the most obvious signs.
Granada is the epicentre of Spain's Moorish treasures as it was the capital of the country's last Moorish kingdom. The territory of the Moors was declared an emirate under Abdul al-Rahman, the last surviving member of the Umayyad Dynasty who had escaped from a coup in what is now known as Baghdad. The Moorish capital was Cordoba and it was then the largest city in Europe. During this time, Islam, Christianity and Judaism lived together in relative harmony.
Granada's heyday was in 1238 when Mohamed Ben Nasar founded the Nazarite Dynasty and the bulk of the Alhambra was built in the 14th century. While Cordoba and Sevilla fell to the Christians 200 years before Granada, Granada flourished on artistic brilliance. The buildings constructed during this era were ornate, they had horseshoe-shaped arches and, decorative wall tiles. Granada excelled in art, silk-making, ceramics and tile making among many other arts and crafts.
The Moorish kingdom lasted until 1492 when Boabdil el Chico was obliged to hand the city over to the Catholic monarchs. They did this only after a 10-year battle. Despite the change of power, the city continued to grow and new civil and religious monuments were constructed including the Renaissance Palace of Charles V located in the Alhambra and which currently houses the Hispanic-Muslim Art Museum.
The adjoining Generalife Gardens are where the Nazarite kings stayed during the summer months. These are the ancient recreational grounds of royalty and the gardens and fountains have been, and remain a constant inspiration for artists.
In 1984, the Alhambra and Generalife were declared a Unesco World Heritage Site and Albayzin was included in 1994. Albayzin is located below the Alhambra and is a residential area rich in Arab architecture that merges harmoniously with Andaluci{aac}an architecture.
The Unesco gazettal ensured the protection of its beautiful Hispano-Arab art complex belonging to the Nazarite culture. Its strategic high position over the city enables visitors to get excellent views of the surrounding modern city, the Sierra Nevada and the surrounding countryside.
The Parador San Francisco opens onto the immaculately landscaped gardens of the Generalife. This unique hotel is part of a collection of uniquely Spanish properties located in former grand building like palaces and castles.
For shoppers, the Gran Via in the city below offers designer shops and department stores while the old narrow lanes of Alcaicera are uniquely Spanish.
The property is a former 16th century convent of just 32 exclusive rooms.
Granada is a good city for wandering and the tourist authorities have produced some excellent resources to help independent travellers find their own way around the main attractions. One of the main inner city features is the Cathedral with its Gothic and Renaissance architecture containing the royal chapel with tombs of some past Catholic monarchs.
Granada is a university town so there is an abundance of young people and the restaurants and nightclubs are popular and always seem to be packed.
Granada can be linked with the other great Andaluci{aac}an city of Cordoba via the "Route of the Caliphates". This is a spiritual odyssey that is well documented with tourism publications and passes the fine agricultural towns of Baena and Montilla. Visitors to the area can also visit the snowy highlands of the Sierra Nevada and continue onto the Mediterranean Sea and Costa de Almeria for an unforgettable journey.The Brunei Times
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