Palace of the Moors in Granada. Granada, Alhambra - architectural and park ensemble: description
How I looked forward to meeting the city of Granada and its heart - the Alhambra fortress! The new Eighth Wonder of the World, after all! We're looking forward to ...
But in this article there will not be a detailed story about the architectural and park complex of the Alhambra and the numerous photographs of the beautiful palaces of the citadel. I was very annoyed by the long queue that formed at the ticket office of the fortress, in which we "miraculously" spent about two hours in the midday sun. In addition, we ran out of general tickets, there were only the Generalife Gardens and Alcazaba. And this is at the beginning of the season! We spent precious time, which we planned to spend visiting the facilities of the Eighth Wonder of the World, but not standing in the crowd! Therefore, I will share general information of an organizational nature so that you can avoid our mistakes and prepare better 🙂.
General information about the Alhambra fortress
So, the Alhambra (Alhambra , in the lane. from Arabic "red castle") is a majestic architectural and park ensemble in the city of Granada in Spain, which has absorbed all the luxury of the Moorish style. general information about the fortress of the Alhambra.
On July 7, 2007, the New Seven Wonders of the World were chosen in Lisbon. The Alhambra was not included in this seven, but it took the honorable eighth place 🙂.
From the history:this place has been inhabited since antiquity and was a fortified settlement (Medina). In the XIII century. Granada was captured by the Arabian dynasty of Nasrid. From that time on, the construction of palaces and fortresses began. The Nasrids ruled for about two and a half centuries. In 1492. Granada was conquered by Catholic monarchs. In 1812. the French destroyed some buildings, and in 1821. it made an earthquake. From the middle of the 19th century, restoration work began.
The composition of the architectural and park complex: The Alhambra is territorially divided into two main zones: the gardens of the Generalife and the fortress itself, the latter in turn includes the Alcazaba, the Upper Alhambra (Medina), the Nasrid Palaces (Meshuar Building, Kamares Palace and the Lions Palace), Charles V Palace, Partal, fortress towers and gates ...
Ticket prices, opening times and options for visiting the Alhambra Castle
All these factors are interconnected, therefore they are located in the general section.
Nice facts: for kids under 12 years old, admission is free, benefits for children from 12 to 15 years old, students, pensioners of the European Union, people over 65 years old.
Visit options:
1. Daytime, in two shifts.
· Morning (Mon-Sun, 08.30 - 14.00).
· Daytime (Mon-Sun, period from October 15 to March 14: 14.00 - 18.00, from March 15 to October 14: 14.00 - 20.00).
For daytime on both shifts, the following types of tickets can be purchased:
· General ticket - the right to visit the entire complex (price - 13 euros).
· Ticket to the Generalife and Alcazaba Gardens (price - 7 euros).
2. Evening (from 15 October to 14 March: Fri-Sat, 20.00 - 21.30, from 15 March to 14 October: Tue-Sat, 22.00 - 23.30).
The following types of tickets can be purchased for the evening (it is not possible to combine both visits):
· Ticket to the Nasrid Palaces (price - 8 euros).
· Ticket to the Generalife Gardens (price - 5 euros).
3. Special subscriptions:
· Blue pass (100 euros - 10 general and 5 evening visits throughout the year).
· Red subscription (15 euros - candles for the Palaces of the Nasrid, the next day in the afternoon - the Generalife and Alcazaba Gardens).
Methods for buying tickets to the Alhambra Palace
Advance booking (from 1 day to 3 months) is made:
1. In travel agencies.
2. At bank branches La Caixa.
3. The official website is www.alhambra.org (supports Spanish, English, French, Italian and German).
4. On the website www.ticketmaster.es.
5. In the store "T ienda de la Alhambra ", Address: city of Granada, st. Reyes Catholicos, 40.
Buying tickets on the day of visit:
1. At the box office of the complex (only in cash, it is recommended to arrive in advance to stand in a long queue and have time to buy tickets before they are taken apart).
2. At the machines in front of the entrance (only by credit card, you will have to pay in excess of 10% of the service fee).
Need to know!!!
· First of all, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that it is advisable to purchase tickets in advance, because for such visitors, a separate queue is formed, not commensurate with the crowd of tourists waiting to buy tickets directly at the ticket offices of the Alhambra complex. And it's not a fact that after standing in line for several hours, you will get tickets.
· Tickets are non-refundable!
· Entrance to the Nasrid Palaces is strictly according to the time indicated on the ticket.
How to get to the Alhambra fortress
The Alhambra complex is located in the city of Granada in Andalusia, Spain. You cannot drive to the Alhambra from the city center by private car. Leaving the car, you can walk on foot, about a kilometer downhill. The road goes through the park. But by car you can get closer, bypassing the center, following the signs from the southern ring road. Parking near ticket offices, like most parking lots in Spain, is paid (1.7 euros / hour). Alhambra fortress coordinates: 37° 10 ´ 37 ´´ N, 3 ° 35 ´ 24 ´´ W
Alhambra palaces in Granada on the map of Spain:
Our small photo walk through the Alhambra fortress in Spain
And now a few photos of the Alhambra (unfortunately 🙁, without the Nasrid Palaces, which most of all attract tourists with their beauty).
Let's start with trophies - Alhambra Fortress cards and tickets:
First, we visited the Generalife Gardens - this isolated part of the Alhambra served as a resting place for the rulers:
From the gardens of the Generalife, a view of the fortress of the Alhambra opens, this is where we will now go:
Charles V Palace:
View from the fortress walls of the Alhambra:
Well, well, we ran and on the road! This region is home to the Sierra Nevada, the highest mountain range in continental Spain, with the highest point being Mount Mulasen (3478 m). So the landscapes behind the glass of the car lifted the mood spoiled in the morning :):
Learned from mistakes at the Alhambra fortress in Granada
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The Alhambra in Granada is an ancient fortress-palace from the time of Spanish Mauritania. In 1984, the architectural and park ensemble was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The centuries-old history of the Alhambra
The first mention of the fortress is in the historical archives of the 9th century. In 889, during the civil war of the Caliphate in Cordoba, the ruler Savvar ben Hamdun was hiding at the top of a rocky plateau. On the hill where the Alhambra Palace now stands, there was an ancient dilapidated fortress - Alcazaba. During the war, its walls were fortified for defense purposes, and the real "golden age" for the fortress came only three centuries later.
In 1238, in the then Muslim state, the rebel Muhammad bin Al-Ahmar declared himself emir and established a residence in the Alhambra castle. This is how the Emirate of Granada was founded, which existed until 1492. During the reign of the Nasrid dynasty, the Alhambra changed its appearance. First of all, the Observation Tower (Torre de la Vella) and the Tower of Hommage were built for defensive purposes, then warehouses and baths were built.
For the first time, the Alhambra fortress turned into a luxurious residence only during the reign of Yusuf I and Mohamed V (from 1333 to 1391). A radical reconstruction was carried out - new baths, gates, walls with golden carvings, which gave the emir's palace a rich look. It was during this period that Lviv Square, the Hall of Blessing and the Gate of Justice appeared, which are now popular with tourists.
In 1492, the Emirate of Granada became the last Arab state in Europe to be defeated by Christians. From this period, the next changes in the Alhambra complex began. Were deliberately destroyed architectural elements palaces that reminded of Muslim culture - the gilding was covered with whitewash, furniture and paintings were destroyed.
For several centuries, each subsequent ruler changed the Alhambra for himself, destroying and introducing something new. Under Charles V, the palace was decorated in the spirit of the Renaissance, under Philip V, it acquired an Italian style.
The 19th century was also a watershed for the Spanish Alhambra. By order of Napoleon Bonaparte, the complex was to be blown up, but one of the commanders did not allow this, disarming the explosives. Ironically, after some time, part of the castle was still destroyed, but under the influence of an earthquake. In 1828, restoration work began on the Moorish palace. The reconstruction of the entire complex took over 60 years.
Alhambra site inspection plan
The thousand-year history of the jewel of Moorish architecture in the Alhambra spans many events and participants. Despite all the modifications over the centuries, the Alhambra Palace in Granada is the most striking example of Moorish culture. Studying the territory of the complex, one can trace the path of history development.
Alcazaba
The oldest part of the castle and the main citadel of the Alhambra with all military fortifications, gates and towers.
Nasrid Palace
The rulers of the last dynasty of emirs lived here. It is divided into three main structures:
- Meshoir - a hall where guests were received, the Council of Ministers met and a trial was held.
- The Komares Palace with the Myrtle Courtyard is the official residence of the ruler.
- Palace Lviv - personal apartments of the emir. This is a 14th century building, which includes, in addition to chambers, several rooms, the Lion's Courtyard and the Lviv fountain. It is notable for its harmony and luxury, which has survived to this day.
Charles V palace
A square building with a circular interior patio in the Renaissance style. It houses the Alhambra Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts. Music and dance performances are held in the courtyard.
Partal
Former palace of the early 14th century, but very few buildings remain from it. The most notable of the remaining ones is the Ladies' Tower (Torre de las Damas), which includes a vaulted hall, a small mosque and a swimming pool.
Medina
This is a residential area, or as it is also called the Upper Alhambra. This was where the attendants were located in simple houses. Along the main street ( modern name- Royal Street) housed baths, a mosque, workshops, bazaars and several mansions. It also houses the Church of Santa Maria de la Alhambra.
Generalife
A country summer residence of the emirs, which is located on the slopes of the Sun Hill a little away from the castles of the Alhambra. The Generalife Gardens are a favorite place for kings to take a break from everyday life. True, the residence lost its original appearance back in the Christian era, since for a long time was desolate.
So, these are the main locations that tourists can go around during the day. In addition to them, on the territory of the Alhambra complex there are many towers, each of which has its own historical name, as well as numerous gardens.
Opening hours and tickets to the Alhambra
The Alhambra complex in Granada is open all year round, except holidays- December 25 and January 1.
- Day ticket
- Visiting the gardens: from Monday to Sunday - 8:30 - 20:00 (cash desk work from 8:00).
- : from Tuesday to Saturday - 22:00 - 23:30 (ticket offices from 21:00 to 22:45).
- Day ticket
- Visiting the gardens: from Monday to Sunday - 8:30 - 18:00 (cash desk open from 8:00).
- Evening visit to Nasrid Palaces: Friday and Saturday - 20:00 - 21:30 (ticket offices work from 19:00 to 20:45).
There are also tickets for an evening visit to the Generalife Gardens, the schedule is as follows:
- from April 1 to May 31 - from Tuesday to Saturday: 22:00 - 23:30 (ticket offices work from 21:00 to 22:45);
- from September 1 to October 14 - from Tuesday to Saturday: 22:00 - 23:30 (ticket offices are open from 21:00 to 22:45);
- from October 15 to November 14 - Friday and Saturday: 20:00 - 21:30 (ticket offices work from 19:00 to 20:45).
Ticket prices
Day visit*: 14 €; children from 12 to 15 years old - 8 €.
Evening visit to Nasrid Palaces**: 8 €.
Generalife evening ticket: 5 €.
Visiting the gardens: 7 €.
* The day ticket includes a stay in the Alcazaba, Charles V Palace, Nasrid Palaces, Generalife, Mosque Baths, as well as the main gardens of the complex.
** The time of the visit is indicated on the ticket to the Nasrid Palaces. A group of up to 300 tourists is organized every half hour. If you arrived at the wrong time, the ticket becomes invalid, and if at the specified time, then you can stay on the territory of the palaces for more than half an hour.
Attention! The number of visitors per day is limited. You can buy a ticket in advance on the website: https://tickets.alhambra-patronato.es/.
- Discounts apply for schoolchildren, holders of the Euro youth card< 26 и Euro < 30, лиц старше 65 лет, пенсионеров ЕС и инвалидов.
- For children under 12 years old, admission to the Alhambra is free.
You can book on our website, so you will have the opportunity to stay close to one of the main attractions of Spain. You can also go to the neighboring city of Malaga, where there are several interesting places, for example, on the mountain of the same name.
Behind the Wine Gate (Puerta del Vino), the Plaza de los Alhibes opens up, where everything is imbued with the sensual charm of the Alhambra. Behind this square is the entrance to the complex of palaces of the Nazari dynasty - the very heart of the Alhambra. According to the famous expert on Arab culture García Gomez, "The Alhambra is not only the most beautiful, it is the best preserved and most ancient of the ancient Arab palaces that have come down to us all over the world." The palaces of Nazari represent three independent monumental complexes: Mexoire, intended for the organs of justice, the Komares Palace, the official residence of the king, and the Lions Palace, where the Vladyka's private chambers were located.
El Mexoire
Mexoire was the place where the kings of Granada granted audience to their subjects. Here, according to the protocol, official legal acts were carried out. Mexoire was partially destroyed, and therefore now it does not look like the original palace, since, in addition to the redevelopment that took place during the reign of Yusuf I (1333-1354), later, after the conquest of Granada by the Catholic Kings, a Christian church was built here.
In the hall of Mexoire, the basement panels are notable, decorated with tiles with the motto of the Nasrid dynasty: "There is no conqueror but Allah." In the back of the hall there is a belvedere-oratorium, from the balconies of which you can see a beautiful view of the Albayzin. It is richly decorated in Arabic script with sayings from the Koran and words of praise in honor of Mohammad V (1354-1391). It was this lord who gave the order for the construction of a neighboring room - the Golden Room (Cuarto Dorado), connecting Mexoire with the Comares palace. The three-arch portico of the Golden Room overlooks the Patio del Mexuar courtyard, distinguished by the rich decoration of the so-called Comares façade.
Komares palace
The grand residence in the Alhambra was the Komares Palace, and the now famous Myrtle courtyard served as its compositional center. This name was adopted only in the 17th century, and it came from a rectangular reservoir, which occupies most of the courtyard and is lined with clipped myrtle trees on the long sides. Reflecting in its shaky refraction the golden-pink Komares tower (its height is 45 meters), towering on the north side of the courtyard, and the blue sky, the reservoir expands the space of the courtyard and creates a feeling of spaciousness.
In the tower of Comares, the entire space is occupied by the magnificent square Throne Room (or the Hall of Ambassadors), in which the throne of the rulers of Granada towered directly opposite the entrance. This hall, erected in the XIV century, is the largest in the Alhambra: its dimensions are 11.3x11.3x18.2 meters. At the floor level, there are 9 large arched windows, three of which are divided in the center by marble columns.
The thickness of the walls of the Hall of Ambassadors reaches 3 meters, so each of the windows forms an independent, richly decorated room - like a loggia. The loggia windows give the ceremonial hall of the Alhambra a poetic intimacy, from which the Granada rulers observed pictures of peaceful life and the wonderful nature of Granada.
In creating the Hall of Ambassadors, skilled Moorish architects have shown their talent for manipulating light, directing it through the intricate carvings of windows that were previously covered with colored glass. Light falls on the sparkling walls, illuminating the entire hall with a penetrating, shimmering radiance. Soft light comes not only from the lower windows, but also from the 20 upper ones, which are covered with grilles. Above, the shadows thicken, but even they cannot hide the inspired creation of the Arab masters - the famous cedar wood ceiling. It is bordered by a stalactite frieze and consists of 3 inclined planes tapering upwards, terminating in the center with a small stalactite dome.
The Hall of Ambassadors is not only the largest, but also the most historic hall in the Alhambra. True, not all scientists are completely sure that it was in it that some real events took place. For example, legends say that in this room Queen Isabella received Christopher Columbus and here Sultan Boabdil surrendered Granada to the Catholic kings of Spain.
In contrast to the open and illuminated space of the Myrtle Courtyard, the shaded arched passage in the Komares Tower attracts with a mysterious, cool semi-darkness. The entrance to the tower is preceded by a long, narrow "Hall la Barca" - the Hall of the Boat. Some researchers explain this name by the similarity of the painting on the ceiling of the hall with the keel of a ship. However, the Spanish writer Carlos Pascual deduces the etymology of the word "barca" from the Arabic "baraka" - "blessing, grace", and this seems to be the most plausible.
Komares Palace is closely adjacent to the Lion's Courtyard, which is a type of palace garden building. Here the private life of the Granada caliphs proceeded, which gave it a chamber, intimate character.
The entire building of the palace-garden dates back to the second half of the 14th century. In the center of a small open courtyard there is a fountain surrounded by twelve lion figures, which is why the name of the entire courtyard later came about. Lions, carved from some special semi-precious marble, are arranged like the rays of a star.
The number of lions is no coincidence. According to legend, 12 lions supported the throne of King Solomon, and Sultan Muhammad al-Ghani was told about this by his vizier Ibn Nagrell, a Jew by birth. He also advised the Sultan to decorate the fountain with figures of lions, which were brought to the Alhambra from the old palace in Albuyein. Meticulous researchers also refer this story to legends, since lions at the fountain allegedly appeared only in the 16th century - after the fall of Granada. But no matter how historians and art critics argue, they agree on one thing: silence itself lives in the Lion's courtyard, broken only by the murmur of water jets, to the patterns of which ornament patterns are added.
Water, which came in abundance from the mountain slopes of the Sierra Nevada, filled the streams, gardens and fountains of the Alhambra and was the element that the Moors prized most of all. For the Arabs, fountains, streams and waterfalls are no less a characteristic part of architecture than columns are for the Greeks. It is no coincidence that the inscription on the fountain in the Lion's Courtyard is preserved: "Look at the water and look at the reservoir, and you will not be able to decide whether the water is calm or marble is flowing."
On the western side of the Lion's Courtyard is the "Hall of Stalactites", which was named so because of the lacy decoration of the ceiling. Unfortunately, this ceiling was destroyed at the end of the 16th century during a fire, and in 1614 it was replaced with an elliptical covering.
On the northern side of the Lion's Courtyard is the vast "Hall of the Two Sisters", in which at first two Christian sisters languished and then died, separated from their beloved. This square hall is one of the most perfect in the Alhambra: it is distinguished by magnificent ornamental decoration, creating which Arab masters skillfully played with the cold shine of tiles, the warmth and nobility of wood and the plasticity of a matte knock. The moldings of this hall have triumphed over time and achieved their perfection here: no tile is like another in these carved honeycombs. The presence of beauty in the Hall of Two Sisters is felt so strongly, as if she only settled here yesterday ...
Opposite this hall is the Abenserhave Hall, where visitors enter with involuntary trepidation. In 1482, as legend has it, bloody murders took place here. To free his son the way to the throne, his father summoned 36 more claimants to the throne to the Alhambra. They were met in this hall by the executioner who was already waiting and cut everyone's throats. They say that even now, after almost 6 centuries, blood stains can be seen in the hall.
When the last ruler of Granada, Boabdil (Muhammad XI), surrendered the city to the royal couple Ferdinand and Isabella, he and his family fled to the mountains. He is said to have stopped at one of the sites now known as El Suspiro del Moro (The Moor's Wail). From here he could see the entire Alhambra.
When he looked at his famous red castle with a farewell gaze, his mother said to him: "Mourn, like a woman, what you could not protect like a man!"
Today, about three million tourists visit the Alhambra every year. They, like Boabdil, can observe the entire panorama of Granada from the hill on which rises the Arab castle - the pearl of Granada. If you ever visit here, then perhaps you will understand why the last Moorish ruler groaned so bitterly.
Granada(Granada) - city and municipality in Spain, capital of the province of Granada within the autonomous community Andalusia.
In this post, materials on attractions such asAlhambra, quarter Albassin, Sierra Nevada, panorama of Granada from the Albassin quarter, panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra, on the shopping streets of the city, g raffiti in granada and many others. E is the same T uristic maps of Granada ... In fact, this is only a small part of what was captured, in fact, photographs and what could be told - much more, but all this is better, as they say, "see than hear a hundred times."
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GENERAL INFORMATION.
Granada has been known as the Iberian and Phoenician settlement of Iliberra since 500 BC. e. Thanks to the sheltered location among the surrounding mountains and the very fertile land, the existence of villages here is assumed even in deeper antiquity. After the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula by the Romans, the existence of a settlement under the name of Iliberra was proved in writing. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the region fell under the influence of the North African state of the Vandals, after its collapse in 534 for several decades under the rule of Byzantium. From the beginning of the 7th century it belonged to the Iberian state of the Visigoths.
Granada (Granada) is located in an amazing area, at the foot of the northeastern slope of the Sierra Nevada. Granada sits on three hills that slope down into a valley where the Hanil River and its tributary Darro flow steadily. According to legend, it was these hills, which in appearance resemble an open pomegranate, gave the city its name - Granada ... Only in this city in an amazing way harmoniously combines landscapes of extraordinary beauty, buildings ancient architecture and white quarters of new developments. Granada is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Its architecture, history and traditions, combined with an unusual natural landscape, attract hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.The history of Granada goes back to ancient times. Back in the 5th century. BC E. This area, inhabited by Iberian tribes, was quite famous. During the domination of the Roman Empire, the rich city of Iliberis was founded here, which included the village of Granata ( Granada).
After the conquest of the city by the Arabs, it began to rebuild. Two fortress centers appeared here, located on both banks of the Darro River.
The period of economic growth of Granada falls at a time when the rule of the Cordoba Caliphate was weakened, which marked the beginning of the influx of Muslims into the city from Valencia, Cordoba and Seville. In 1013 an independent Muslim state was founded in Granada.
Tourist cards Granada, which can be taken from any hotel there:
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Albassin Quarter (Albayzin, Albaicin, Albayzin).
Albacín is the old Arab quarter of Granada. Perhaps there is no place in Andalusia where one can better imagine what the old Arab cities looked like. Its steep narrow streets running up and down the hillside form a real labyrinth - that is, that is))
General information about the quarter:
Albayzin quarter traces its roots to the ancient era, as evidenced by the remains of the fortress walls found here, which are the most ancient among the ruins excavated on the territory of Granada. We have not heard of any Arab settlements in the area until the arrival of the Syrians. This suggests that the city was empty after the collapse of the Roman Empire until the founding of the Syrian kingdom (1013), when it was surrounded by fortress walls (Alcazaba Kadina).
Today, in the Albayzin district, we see the 14th century fortress walls, which included all the newly built territories in the city. Since the 13th century, with the founding of the Nasrid kingdom, the administrative center of Granada moved to the Sabica hill, where the city of Alhambra was built. This did not at all mean the decline of Albayzin, which remained one of the most important and densely populated areas of Granada with narrow built-up streets, reservoirs and numerous mosques.
Today the area is one of the most attractive tourist destinations. Despite all the changes, it seemed to have frozen in time and isolated itself into a separate city inside Granada, with its atmosphere, structure and architecture that send us back to the past centuries. This place with rich history, where a huge number of symbols of past eras have been preserved: Arab baths, aqueducts, reservoirs, Syrian arches and walls, churches in the style mudejar built on the basis of ancient mosques, Moorish, manor houses of the 16th century, which today have become museums, and unforgettable views of the Alhambra and Sierra Nevada. Albaysin is included in the list world heritage UNESCO.
Houses in the Albassin quarter.
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Houses in the Albassin quarter.
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Houses in the Albassin quarter.
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Panorama of Granada from the Albassin quarter.
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Panorama of Granada from the Albacín quarter.
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Panorama of Granada from the Albacín quarter.
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On the shopping streets cities (near the cathedral (La Catedral) and at the bottom of the Albassin quarter):
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When I wandered through the souvenir shops on the streets near the cathedral ( La Catedral) heard very interesting, unusual music.
Nicolás Pirillo
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This music ( Nicolás Pirillo - Hang Drum a Granada):
and further ( Nicolás Pirillo - Hang - Granada):
Seafood in a mountain town))
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The Alhambra is an amazing, impressive place !!!
The visiting card of the city, of course, is the famous fortress Alhambra(Al-Kal "a al-Hambra -" Red Fortress ") - the only fully preserved monument of art of the Moors in Granada. Alhambra- this is not a palace, not a fortress or a park, but all together, more precisely, it is whole city on the top of the mountain above Granada. In shape, it resembles a ship, which can be divided into several parts. On the bow of this ship is the oldest part of the Alhambra, impregnable fortress Alcazaba (La Aicazaba). The middle part is also called the palace, here is located Nasrid Palace(Palacios de los Nazaries) and later Charles V palace(Palacio de Carton V). The "stern" of the ship is occupied by the so-called medina - the ruins of the city quarters that were once located here, as well as gardens, outbuildings and a parador in the building of a former monastery. In addition to all this, on the neighboring hill there are magnificent Generalife gardens(Jardines de Generalife) with the palace of the same name.
General information about the Alhambra:
Alhambra- a palace complex and a fortress, which were the residence of the king and his court during the reign of the Muslim dynasty of the Nasrid (in Spanish Nazari) on the territory of modern Granada. The Alhambra is one of the main attractions and a symbol not only of Andalusia, but of the whole of Spain.
The Alhambra occupies almost the entire al-Sabika hill, in the east of the city, opposite the Albayzin district. The Alhambra rises above the entire city, to the north of it flows the Darro River. The complex itself consists of a fortress - Alcazaba, palaces of the Nasrid dynasty (or Nazarii palaces), and the Generalife complex, which includes a palace and beautiful gardens.
In the westernmost part of the Alhambra, on the edge of a hill, is the oldest part of the complex - military fortress Alcazaba... The ancient Alcazaba was rebuilt in 889 by Savvar-ben-Hamdum, later it was expanded in the 11th century by the rulers of the Zirid dynasty. Two centuries later, Muhammad I, the founder of the Nasrid dynasty, annexed the palace to the Alcazaba, which marked the beginning of the foundation of a magnificent architectural complex Alhambra.
You can go to the fortress by going through the Wine Gate (Puerta del Vino) and further along the square of wells (Plaza del Aljibes). The name of the gate comes from the wine market, which has been located here since the 16th century.
Undoubtedly, the main attraction of the Alhambra is Palaces of the Nasrid(Palacios Nazaries). They are located in the immediate vicinity of the Palace of Charles V, to the north of it. The Nasrid palaces are one of the best preserved Old Islamic palaces in Europe. The palace complex includes three independent monumental ensembles: Mexuar, Palacio de Comares and Lviv Palace (Palacio de los Leones).
In the Muslim architecture of the Alhambra ensemble stands apart Palace of Charles V, built in the immediate vicinity of the Nasrid Palaces, in the 16th century after the conquest of the last stronghold of Muslims - Granada, by the Catholic king Isabella and Ferdinand in 1492.
Charles V's palace was built inside the Alhambra by order of Charles I after his wedding to Isabella of Portugal in Seville in 1526. After the wedding, the couple settled in the Alhambra, where they wanted to build their own residence. The palace was erected in the heart of the Alhambra, and for its construction it was necessary to demolish the pavilion opposite the Tower of the Ambassadors. This fact, which has been the object of criticism more than once, should be understood within the framework of the situation in Spain in the 16th century: the palace of Charles I meant, rather, not the destruction of a part of the Alhambra, but a guarantee of its preservation. In those days, entire palaces built by conquered peoples were often demolished, so the admiration of the Christian kings for the beauty of the Alhambra saved it from complete destruction.
Since 1958, the palace of Charles V has housed Granada Museum of Fine Arts.
The Granada Museum of Fine Arts (Museo de Bellas Artes de Granada) is located on the territory of the Alhambra within the walls of the Palace of Charles V. This is the main art gallery of the city. Opened in 1839 (and therefore the oldest art gallery in Spain), the museum moved to its current building only in 1958, before that it roamed various premises of the city, including the current building of the Archaeological Museum.
The collection of the museum is formed by ceramics, works of art originating from disbanded monasteries, as well as works by contemporary Granada artists. Two rooms are dedicated to Alonso Cano and his followers, and there is also a room dedicated to the 15th century, 17th century secular painting, and contemporary art. Musical performances are often held in the open courtyard of the museum.
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Myrtle courtyard.
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Myrtle courtyard.
The ceilings in the palaces of the Alhambra look like artificial stalactites.
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In the "lion's" yard.
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Lion's courtyard.
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Panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra.
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Panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra.
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Panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra.
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Panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra.
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Panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra.
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Panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra.
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Panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra.
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Panoramas of Granada, view from the Alhambra.
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Generalife Gardens.
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Generalife Gardens.
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In the gardens of the Generalife.
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Canal courtyard in Generalife.
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Graffiti in Granada, on the road to the Alhambra. The photo was taken early in the morning, it was still dark before the road to Seville. The graffiti is interesting, because in last moment, decided to capture it in a photograph.
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In general, this is a great place .. :))
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Sierra Nevada.
Sierra nevada(Spanish. Sierra nevada- "snow ridge") - mountain range in the south Iberian Peninsula, part of the Cordillera Betica. Located in Andalusia, Spain. The most high point- Mount Mulasen, 3478 m. The most beautiful landscapes open to us from observation platforms.
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Mountain Lake.
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What he saw makes you think))
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General information about the Sierra Nevada:
Sierra nevada- it mountain range in the Andalusian mountains in southern Spain (from the Spanish “sierra” -pila), the southernmost and highest in the Iberian Peninsula (Mulansen - 3478 m), now one of the best ski resorts.The mountain peaks here are covered with snow even in summer, and therefore the opportunity to swim in the ocean with a temperature of 22-25C or visit the gardens of Tenerife looks very good.
Sierra nevada located 37 kilometers from the city of Granada, the administrative center of the province Andalusia... Of course, these mountains are known primarily for winter sports - slalom, snowboarding, freestyle. Always at your service 45 tracks with a total length of 62 km with a vertical drop of up to 1200 m, where 23 lifts serve up to 32,000 people at the same time. 250 snow guns (13 low pressure and 237 high pressure) maintain a quality surface in any weather. The Sierra Nevada lifts are in the village Pradollano(the central part is at an altitude of 2,100 m), there is no need to travel far away. There are many hotels here, there are high-altitude hotels, from which to the entertainment of the center, the most important of which is the water and bath center, you have to get there either on skis, or on a special transport lift or by stairs. Try :). The Telekabina Hotel is located right in the funicular building. From January to March there is a "high" season, so you should think about tickets a couple of months before the trip.
Night skiing is exotic - there are two illuminated tracks: 3300 m (drop - 545 m) and 1100 m (drop - 295 m). Although the concept of a track is very conditional. In addition to very steep and therefore specially fenced slalom trails and smoothly ironed flat trails for beginners, similar to a pitch with a slope, the trail here is everything that the snowcat traveled along. So the off-piste descent is quite appropriate here. Tired of skis - take a snowboard, and the whole mountain will become your skating rink - after all, here, if you look from below, there are almost no “closed” areas (hidden from the rider's gaze) and unpredictable canopies - each has a non-extreme exit for beginners, trails without glacial cracks and almost without rocky heaps.
Professionals will love new park, with a special snowboard track and half-pipe
... The quality of the tracks is the best in Europe ski resort chosen by the king of Spain Juan Carlos... The world alpine skiing championships (95 and 99 years) are held here. In addition to skiing, you can, for example, go to walk in places with beautiful views on tourist route La Losa, which leads to Masete and leads to Mirador Bentaniyas
(mirador -observation deck), from which, at an altitude of about 2,500 feet, one can see the seashore in the south and the Sierra Nevada in the east beyond the surrounding valleys. These places are called El Torcal... The walk will not be easy, it can be very hot or, on the contrary, it will suddenly rain down, but it is easy to cope with in a person in good physical shape. Or you can go to Granada to see the symbol of the city - Alhambra(a complex of the XIII century, consisting of fortresses with palaces and gardens), coupled with the Generalife gardens and the old gypsy quarter, where you can contemplate expensive Mercedes near the half-houses - half-caves.
The best time to travel is after December 7, because from 1 to 6 the Spaniards have a solid weekend, and crowds of vacationers stand in endless queues for the funicular. Extras are added by tourists from Portugal and other countries.
The King of Spain himself skates in the Sierra Nevada, and in 1996 the Alpine Ski World Championship was successfully held on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada. Since then, competitions of the European and world level have been held here annually.
Resort photos:
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On the way back from the resort - here is such a sign for motorists, warning of the danger of motorcycles from behind, which turned out to be true)))
The Alhambra is an impressive architectural and park ensemble that includes ancient palaces, a fortress and gardens of Muslim rulers and is considered the highest achievement of Moorish architects in Western Europe. Currently, the Alhambra is a museum of Islamic art and culture, which is visited annually by millions of tourists from all over the world.
The Alhambra is located on top of a rocky plateau in the eastern part of the city of Granada in southern Spain. Medieval poets described this structure as an "emerald pearl", noting the expressive structure against the backdrop of green forests, blue skies and mountainous landscapes with snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada.
The name "Alhambra" literally translates from Arabic as "red castle". Some attribute this to the color of the sun-dried clay from which the palaces were built, while others believe that the name comes from the "red flames of torches" that illuminated the castle during many years of construction.
History of the Alhambra
The development of the Alhambra is associated with the Muslim conquerors of the Iberian Peninsula, who came to the territory of southern Spain in the 8th century. During the reign of the Muslim Nasrid dynasty (1230-1492), Granada became the capital of the Moorish possessions in Spain - the Emirate of Granada.
Mauritanian emirs wished for conquered lands sunny Spain create a piece earthly paradise- this is how the Alhambra arose among the shady gardens of Granada, which became the seat of the conquering emirs. In those days, the vast complex, enclosed in fortress walls with towers, included mosques, residential buildings, baths, gardens, warehouses, a cemetery; the palaces of the Alhambra, dating mainly from the XIV century, have survived to this day.
The interior of the complex can be described as harmoniously combining the picturesque gardens of the Alhambra, courtyards and terraces with fountains, water cascades, canals and ponds with many graceful arches, vaults, slender columns or patterned carved windows. All this splendor is decorated with bizarre Arabic patterns, floral ornaments, colorful mosaics, ceramic tiles, wood and stone carvings.
It is water and light that play an important role in the overall composition of the Alhambra. The water here sparkles with spray of fountains, murmurs in the canals and briskly streams in cascades, filling reservoirs. All this - on a vast territory, surrounded by fragrant orange trees, cypress alleys and flowering flower beds.
The water coming from the mountain slopes of the Sierra Nevada filled the canals and fountains of the Alhambra and was the element that the Moors prized most of all. Fountains, streams and waterfalls are no less characteristic of the architecture for the Arabs than the columns are for the Greeks. It is no coincidence that the inscription on the fountain in the Lion's Courtyard is preserved: "Look at the water and look at the reservoir, and you will not be able to decide whether the water is calm or marble is flowing."
The road to the Alhambra from Granada follows the slope of the Cuesta de Gomeres through a parkland that stretches from the Pomegranate Gate to the Gate of Justice, which was the main entrance to the Alhambra in Moorish times.
On the huge arches of the gates in the shape of a horseshoe are preserved inscriptions in Arabic script: “Praise God. There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet. There is no other authority than God. "
Alhambra architecture
The Alhambra is a complex of courtyards, rooms, passages and towers, each of which had its original purpose and have their own characteristics. The very names of many of them are eloquent: "Myrtle courtyard", decorated with evergreen myrtle tapestries.
" The Hall of the Two Sisters "got its name from the two huge slabs of white marble embedded in the floor. The tiles and stucco decoration of the Hall of the Two Sisters are perhaps the finest in the entire Alhambra. The honeycomb dome is the largest of the Arab stalactite vaults. which is about 5000 cells.
"Courtyard of Lions" is named so thanks to the fountain around which the statues of twelve predators froze.
The House of Ambassadors was created for court celebrations of official ceremonies. The dome of this room is decorated with a star pattern that shimmers at high altitude.
Of particular interest are the numerous towers of the Alhambra, with decorated halls, swimming pools and stunning views of the surroundings from the tops of the towers. The most eastern part The Alhambra Palace is occupied by the defense tower Torre de las Damas, with an adjoining vaulted hall, a swimming pool and a small mosque.
In sharp contrast to the rest of the architecture of the ensemble, the later building is the palace of Carlos V, built on the territory of the Alhambra in the 16th century by order of the Roman king Charles V. The square structure hides a circular courtyard with an Ionic colonnade on the upper floor and Tuscan columns on the lower one. Currently, the palace is a concert venue for music and dance performances. In indoor areas The Palace of Carlos V houses the Archaeological Museum of the Alhambra and the Museum of Fine Arts of Granada.
Tickets to the Alhambra
Tickets to the Alhambra are sold for one of the periods: morning, afternoon or evening. You need to come strictly within the specified period.
Opening hours of the Alhambra:
from 8.30 to 14.00, from 14.00 to 18.00, from 20 to 21.30 in winter - from October 15 to March 14;
from 8.30 to 14.00, from 14.00 to 20.00, from 22 to 23.30 hours in the summer.
The cost of a general ticket to visit the Alhambra is 14 euros
Children 12-15 years old - 8 euros
Children under 12 are free
Adults over 65 and EU pensioners - € 9
Disabled people - 8 euros
The cost of an evening visit is 8 euros
Guided tour - 55 euros
Tickets can be purchased at ticket offices (in cash) and terminals ( bank cards) at the entrance. Tickets are valid only on the day of purchase, so it is better to come for tickets with a reserve.
We advise you to buy tickets in advance at the "Tienda de la Alhambra" store in Granada or by calling Bank La Caixa: 902 88 80 01 for Spain or +34 958 926 031 for calls from abroad.
The average length of the route through the Alhambra complex is 3.5 km. For a comfortable sightseeing of all sights, it will take at least 3 hours.
If you are heading to the south of Spain, be sure to visit the Alhambra, an invaluable legacy of the Moorish past. Please call the Center for Services for Business and Life in Spain "Spain in Russian", and we will help you organize interesting individual or group excursions the most unforgettable and unique places of the country.