The Alhambra Palace, in Granada, has long been considered one of the seven wonders of the modern world and, if you’ve seen it, you’ll know why. However, voting is currently underway to decide on the definitive list, which you can see on www.new7wonders.com. To support the Alhambra’s candidature a human chain will surround and embrace the complex on April 29th, which really should be something to see. For those of you who haven’t yet visited the Alhambra my previous article tells you how to go about it. In this article, I’d like to give you a little background to, and history of, the Alhambra.

The original military fort, or Alcazaba, dates from the 9th century, and the first documents in which it is mentioned refer to it as a refuge from the Civil Wars of the Caliphate of Cordoba. It enjoys a strategic position overlooking the city of Granada and the fertile plain that surrounds it. Granada became an independent kingdom in 1013 and the Ziri ruling dynasty lived on the hill facing the Alhambra, the Albaicin, still the Moorish heart of the city. The Alhambra Palace, or at least its most glorious aspect, was built mainly in the 13th and 14th centuries by the Nasrid dynasty whose first ruler was Mohammed I. Firstly, the Alcazaba was renovated and the 2 towers of the Keep and Watch were built. It was also at this time that water from the River Darro was canalised, later allowing all the wonderful gardens, pools and fountains to be built. The idea of all the wonderful decoration was to recreate an oasis, to remind the Moors of their homeland.

Undoubtedly the most famous image of the Alhambra is that of the Courtyard of the Lions, which was added during the reigns of Yusuf I and Mohammed V during the mid to late 14th century.

The picture above shows detail from a wall niche which contains the typical decorative elements of mosaic tile and stucco work that are found throughout the palaces. These niches are found in every entrance and were used to store perfumes and scented water. During this period the Alhambra really came into its own, and we’ll really never know how splendid it was, as so much that was built has been destroyed over the years.

The Nasrid dynasty came to an end in 1492, but the story of the Alhambra doesn’t end with them. After the Nasrid dynasty left their palaces King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, who had defeated them, took over. They received Christopher Colombus in the Ambassadors Hall where they gave him jewels and coin to finance his expedition to discover The New World.
Their grandson Charles V, King of Spain and Holy Roman Emperor also heavily influenced the Alhambra. He spent his honeymoon there, after his marriage to Isabella of Portugal, and we can see the Rennaisance style of the chambers that were converted for their use. Instead of the stucco work and mosaic of the Moors we find heavy wooden panelling engraved with their initials. During his honeymoon Charles ordered the building of a Rennaisance Palace, now known as the Charles V Palace which is remarkable for its square exterior and round inner courtyard. It’s said that he was planning to move the capital of Spain to Granada, the reason for the Palace, but, in fact, he never returned here after his honeymoon.
The Alhambra fell into disuse after Charles V’s Palace was completed and became home to gypsies and vagrants. Much of it was also unfortunately destroyed during the occupation of Granada by Napoleon’s troops in 1812. During the 19th century it was briefly home to the American author Washington Irving who whilst living here wrote his famous book “Tales of the Alhambra”, which contains many wonderful, romantic stories about the famous Palaces. Do please read this book, if you haven’t done so already, it evokes beautifully the mystery and wonder of The Alhambra.
From the 19th century until the present day the Alhambra’s history is one of renovation, which is still going on. As I write the famous statues of the lions, from the Courtyard of the Lions, are undergoing restoration work and are no longer on display. It is the most visited cultural monument in Spain, I think because of the insight it gives us into Spain’s immensely varied past.