Alhambra
Granada's Islamic palace
The Alhambra is a medieval palace and fortress complex in Granada, Spain, built primarily during the Nasrid dynasty in the 13th and 14th centuries.
It stands as one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in Europe, renowned for its intricate geometric patterns, courtyards, and fountains.
The name comes from Arabic meaning "the red one," describing the color of its walls.
Several cities, particularly in California, take their name from the palace.
Medieval Islamic Spain
- ReconquistaIberian Christian territorial recovery
- emirateIslamic monarch's domain
- caliphateIslamic successor-led government
- BerberNorth African ethnic group
Maghreb · Seville · Iberian · medieval · conquest · legacy · Granada
Decorative ceramic surfaces
- stuccoDecorative wall plaster
- arabesqueFlowing ornamental design
- courtyardsEnclosed open-air spaces
- fountainsWater-spouting structures
reflecting pools · arches · columns · plasterwork · carvings · woodwork · ornamentation · geometry
Western U.S. mountain range
- AndalusiaSpain's southernmost autonomous community
- SpainIberian Peninsula country
- Catholic MonarchsIberian royal couple's title
- FerdinandTraditional male given name
Fortified urban stronghold
- rampartsProtective fortress walls
- watchtowerElevated structure for surveillance
- battlementsNotched defensive wall top
- wallsVertical enclosing structures
towers · garrison · defensive · stronghold · military · strategic · hilltop · fortification
Islamic royal sovereigns
- haremWives' sequestered quarters
- throne roomSovereign's formal audience hall
- royalOf monarchs
- chambersEnclosed functional rooms
luxury · opulence · residence · pavilions · nobility · dynasty · splendor · ceremonial
Cultural arm of UN
- World Heritage SiteInternationally recognized protected place
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- tourismLeisure travel sector
- monumentStructure honoring someone remembered
restoration · conservation · cultural · visitors · landmark · historical · iconic · protected
Al-Andalus
Medieval Islamic Spain
- ReconquistaIberian Christian territorial recovery
- emirateIslamic monarch's domain
- caliphateIslamic successor-led government
Berber · Maghreb · Seville · Iberian · medieval · conquest · legacy · Granada
tilework
Decorative ceramic surfaces
- stuccoDecorative wall plaster
- arabesqueFlowing ornamental design
- courtyardsEnclosed open-air spaces
fountains · reflecting pools · arches · columns · plasterwork · carvings · woodwork · ornamentation · geometry · intricacy
Sierra Nevada
Western U.S. mountain range
- AndalusiaSpain's southernmost autonomous community
- SpainIberian Peninsula country
- Catholic MonarchsIberian royal couple's title
citadel
Fortified urban stronghold
- rampartsProtective fortress walls
- watchtowerElevated structure for surveillance
- battlementsNotched defensive wall top
walls · towers · garrison · defensive · stronghold · military · strategic · hilltop · fortification · gates
sultans
Islamic royal sovereigns
- haremWives' sequestered quarters
- throne roomSovereign's formal audience hall
- royalOf monarchs
chambers · luxury · opulence · residence · pavilions · nobility · dynasty · splendor · ceremonial · quarters
UNESCO
Cultural arm of UN
- World Heritage SiteInternationally recognized protected place
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- tourismLeisure travel sector
monument · restoration · conservation · cultural · visitors · landmark · historical · iconic · protected · museum
- Andalusian LandmarksAlcazar
- Spanish LandmarksSagrada Familia, Alcazar, Royal Palace, Prado Museum
- Famous LandmarksEiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, Great Wall, Pyramids of Giza, Giza pyramids
- SpainMadrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Valencia, Granada
- Spanish Cultureflamenco, paella, Goya, tapas, bullfighting
- CaliforniaLos Angeles, San Francisco, Hollywood, San Diego, Yosemite
AlhambraNotre-Dame de Paris
Parisian Gothic cathedral
St. Peter's Basilica · Cologne Cathedral · Canterbury Cathedral · Westminster Abbey · Gothic cathedral
AlhambraGothic architecture
Medieval style with pointed arches
flying buttresses · stained glass windows · Versailles · gargoyles · Neuschwanstein
- Alhambra DecreeSpanish order banishing Jews