Alhambra – the jewel of Andalusia

If you are in Granada, you cannot miss the main attraction of this Comunidad Autónoma of Andalusia which is Alhambra, the unique Islamic palace and fortress complex which create spectacular landscape, as you can see on the photo which I have put here. Alhambra is situated in the beautiful Sabika hill.

The palace perfectly  matchs to this hill full of green space. What is more, the palace attracts a lot of people every year thanks to an unparalleled architectural style which has become a big part of Andalusia architectural style until the present day. This specific style is a mark visible in the whole Andalusia. The reason of this is simple, the south part of Spain which is exactly Andalusia was conquered by the Arabic and Islamicised Berbers as a first step of the conquest of the whole Iberian Peninsula.  Additionally, this Comunidad Autónoma was inhabited by the Muslim people for a really long time what made that many aspects of this area is so similar to Islamic countries and it is not only about architecture and building, but above all of appearance of present residents.

At the beginning, it was just a small insignificant fortress until in the 13^th century was renovated by the Nasrid emir Mohammed ben Al-Ahmar of the Emirate of Granada. From that moment, Alhambra served as accommodation for the monarch and the court of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada.

Like we can guess, the name of the building comes from the Arabic language. However, the meaning of the name is not so easy to explain, because exist many theories about it. I will tell you just two to not risk of boring you.

Etymologically, "Alhambra" in Arabic is "al-Ḥamrā'" (الحمراء, 'the Red one'), from the full name 'al-Qal'a al-hamra' ('red fortress'). The name would come because when it was built people was worked at night, and seen at night, from a distance, due to the light of the torches, it looked red.

Another theory says that it is simply the feminine name of its founder, Abu al-Ahmar, which in Arabic means 'the Red' or ‘being red-haired’.

Alhambra is so interesting building complex, that is why it is not possible to describe it just in one post. I decided to make two posts about it. I hope you have enjoyed the first one and you are ready for the second.

So see you soon and have a nice day! :D