Fundación Telefónica

Its instigators

Mohamed I , Mohamed II, Mohamed III , Yusuf I and Mohamed V

The building

This is the great monument to Nazarí architecture. It comprises a whole set of buildings among which the Alhambra palace is the highlight. It is located on the top of the Sierra Nevada hills and overlooks the river Darro.

As far back as the 9th century there was already a fortress called the Red Castle, because of the colour of its materials. Its position commanded a view over the entire city and the fertile surrounding countryside. It is believed that there were buildings there prior to the arrival of the Muslims. Later on, in the 11th century and in order to consolidate his power, Mohamed I rebuilt what nowadays is the alcazaba, with the beautiful and monumental Tower of the Candle, continuing the wall to enclose the entire plateau, and building his palace inside, beside the alcazaba.

Yusuf I and Mohamed V were responsible for most of the construction work.
The ensemble includes the fortress or alcazaba, which is the oldest part and the defensive and military zone. It is located at one end of the walled enclosure and the Royal House or palace. What we can admire nowadays is only a part of what it used to be. It has suffered several looting raids and reforms, and its movable treasures have not been conserved. During the reign of the Catholic Monarchs, some areas were demolished, Carlos V's palace was built over them. It suffered serious damage under the French, and until the 19th century, it was not to undergo repairs or maintenance for conservation.

In 1984, the Alhambra and the Generalife were added to the World Heritage List by UNESCO.

Decoration

The artists' concern was to cover every space and fill it with lavish decorations. The walls were covered in tiles or plasterwork.

The decorative themes were very varied: calligraphic inscriptions, cursive or cufic writing, poems, atauriques or plant-inspired decorations, interlacing and rhombus grids.

The column has a very fine shaft and a base with a huge concave moulding, decorated with rings on the upper section.

The capital is divided into two bodies: the first is very simply decorated and has above it is a prism with rounded base angles and ataurique decorations. As regards the vaults, the mozárabe ones, composed of overlapping cells or honeycombs, are noteworthy.

Comares (glass) Room

Its name is due to its stained glass windows (comaria). It dates from the time of Yusuf I and is the most grandiose area of the entire Alhambra. It is formed by two courtyards: one smaller one called the 'Patio del Mexuar', the Justice Administration and another large courtyard called the 'Patio de la Alberca' (reservoir) or 'Patio de los Arrayanes' (myrtle trees), which is the real centre of the palace, with two fountains whose waters create a marvellous effect when the beautiful palace is reflected in them.

The palace's main doorway opens onto Patio de Mexuar, which has arches on only one side, protected by lavishly decorated wooden eaves. Of its two doors, one is for entering the courtyard from outside and the other is to access the Patio de la Alberca from there. On the other side of this Patio del Mexuar stands the oratory with its little mihrab, with a horseshoe arch on the door.

Lions' Room

This room dates from the time of Mohamed V, and like in Christian cloisters it has porticos on all four sides. The narrowest of these opens onto a pavilion with a fountain inside, which enhances the beauty of the ensemble with its multiple columns. The 14th century Lions' Fountain stands in the centre of the courtyard. The courtyard is the depiction of paradise.

Hall of the Abencerrajes

This hall opens onto the Lions' Courtyard. This is where the members of this family were decapitated.

Outer gates

The most important ones are the Yusuf I, which is called the Door of Justice, and the Door of Arms. The Door of Wine is inside the actual premises.

Partal towers and gardens

This was the area where the palace servants' quarters were located. It includes various towers: Damas, Mihrab, Picos, La Cautiva and Las Infantas.