ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

The Alhambra in Granada



Islamic Architecture: The Alhambra in Granada

Last Islamic Kingdom In Spain

After the downfall of the Spanish Umayyad Dynasty in the 11th century, Islamic strength in the Iberian Peninsula gradually declined and Christian Reconquest proceeded. The last Islamic kingdom was the Nasrid Dynasty, which is also referred to as the Kingdom of Granada taking the name of its capital. Despite being a small kingdom it kept its independency by dexterous diplomatic capability ranking with Christian countries and its aid to the arts and learning encouraged the last Islamic culture in Europe to bloom splendidly.

On Albaycin hill in Granada a large citadel had been constructed around the 10th century, which was referred to as eQalfat al-Hamra (the Red Fort) , which got its name from the color of the red soil of the hill and bricks burnt of that soil. (Later in Delhi and Agra, India, the palace-fortresses would also be referred to as the eRed Fort due to their main material, red sandstone.) The palace called Alhambra corrupted from al-Hamra was constructed at the northern part of the citadel in the 13th ~ 14th centuries. It has become a true gem of palace architecture by reiterated refinements and sophistications (Barracund, 1992, pp.96 ).

On looking from the royal villa the spectator beholds the side of the palace of Alhamra, that commands the quarter of the city, called the Albayzin. The massive towers are connected by solid walls, constructed upon the system of fortifications which generally prevailed in the middle ages. These walls and towers follow all the turnings and windings of the mountain; and, previously to the invention of gunpowder and artillery, this fortress must have been almost impregnable.

On the north and west, as far as the eye can reach, a lovely plain presents itself, which is covered with an immense number of trees laden with fruits or blossoms, while on the south it is bounded by mountains; whose lofty summits are crowned with perpetual snows, whence issue the springs and streams that diffuse both health and coolness through the city of Granada.

Elevation of the ancient gate of judgment

In this plate we have a nearer view of this noble gate of entrance, and are better enabled to examine its ornaments. The mosaic tiling at the top is about three feet four inches high, and of a pattern that is frequently to be seen in the Alhamra (Danby, 1997, pp.128 ). The inscription beneath it is in flourished Cufic characters, and consists of the motto, twice repeated, which occurs in almost every part of the edifice, ” And there is no Conqueror but God,” Beneath this inscription, upon the key-stone of the arch (which is the second or inner arch of the gate), is sculptured a key, a favourite symbol with the Moslems. The Koran frequently mentions the Key of God, which opens to believers the gates of the world and of religion. The door of this gate is of palm-tree wood, with iron bolts; and the capitals of ...