The Alhambra is a must-see attraction when you visit Granada but, do you know what to see? This is a big building complex, and it is easy to get overwhelmed by masses of people, its history, and layout. But don’t despair! Here are the top things to see at the Alhambra written by a historian.
Reading upon an attraction before you visit will make you prepared to explore it to its full, and it will save you time and effort on the spot, so to make things easier for you, check out our Alhambra tours.
12 Things You Shouldn’t Miss At The Alhambra
The Alhambra in Granada is a medieval fortress and palace. It is best known for the buildings of the Nasrid dynasty of the 13th and 14th centuries. But before we dive in, we need to understand a few basic concepts about the Alhambra. To start, it is not one big palace.
The monument itself is called Alhambra and Generalife. It is rather a collection or complex of buildings, palaces, and gardens, and they do not all date from the same period or served the same purpose. The name of Alhambra means red fortress or castle because of the red earthy building materials that characterize it. And back in the Middle Ages, it looked very different. The open spaces that we enjoy today, are a dramatic contrast with the packed, densely populated, and contrasted area of the medieval Alhambra.
Moreover, this site suffered during the French occupation of Spain in the 19th century. According to Fairchild Ruggles, the Alhambra was looted and some of the architectural elements changed. Although the conservation effort has been tremendous and has been a Unesco site since 1984, there are still reconstructions, modern changes, and adaptations. Moreover, the preservation of plasters specifically is super important for us to understand the Alhambra better.
This is because plaster is a fragile material that can be deteriorated easily, it is updated. Therefore it becomes difficult for historians it becomes to understand the proper and real chronology of the Nasrid building and repairs with many replacements and patches needed to preserve the installations.
We know visiting Alhambra can be overwhelming. The estimated visit to Alhambra is of at least 3 hours, so you need to get the most out of this time. Therefore, this list highlights the must-sees.
12. Gift Shop
Souvenirs | Local Products
There is a gift shop in the complex right by the ticket entrance, and this is the only place where you’d be able to buy any souvenirs. We really recommend it because a lot of the andalusi designs that you will see in the Alhambra are recreated in a variety of gifts in the shop.
Moreover, they also sell a lot of products to local artisans and artists. This is a great way to support the monument and the local community. If you miss it, they have a branch in the city centre of Granada, and you can also order stuff online.
If you’ve read my articles, I do like mentioning the book/gift stores because, as a tour guide and historian, there is nothing more rewarding than finishing a visit and seeing people wanting to know more. Get your extra information from these places, they will sincerely enrich your journey.
11. Take in The Views
Breathtaking Views | Panoramic Photo | Granada
There are several viewpoints in the Alhambra complex where you can not only get some amazing views and pictures of the Alhambra itself but of Granada and the surrounding areas. I would recommend that you do this from the highest point in the Alcazaba named la Torre del Homenaje.
You will get a general view of the Alhambra complex, and you’d have the beauty of the land around you right in front. It would be like being transported to being a guard in the Middle Ages and doing the security rounds.
10. The Gardens
Intersectional Spaces | Natural Beauty | Acequia Court
There are many gardens and green spaces in the Alhambra. So, please take a moment to actually feel these spaces and perhaps just stop altogether, sit if you can, and forget about things. Gardens were (and still are!) of great importance in the Muslim world. Every garden is a chance to recreate paradise on earth.
According to Fairchild Ruggles, Islamic gardens are spaces where nature, design, history, and spirituality intersect. But they also fulfill a practical purpose. He also states that, in the Acequia Court, you can see the masterful use of shade and greenery. This would have kept the Nasrid rulers cool in the hot Spanish weather. It is currently planted following a modern style, but the purpose remains the same.
Want to ensure you get inside the Alhambra? Book a tour with admissions include — not to mention, this massive complex is best visited with a guide!
9. Alhambra Museum
Nasrid Art | Jarrón de las Gacelas | Palace Charles V
The museum is in the same building as the Charles V Palace. Here you can find some of the best specimens of Nasrid art. These come from archaeological excavations in the Alhambra complex or the restoration work in the palaces. It also has pieces that help contextualize Nasrid art in the wider Muslim world and that show the evolution of art through history. Don’t miss Jarrón de las Gacelas (the Vase with Gazelles) in the 5th room.
8. Palace of Charles V
Casa Real | Moriscos Rebellion | Unfinished
According to Cabanelas Rodriguez, we should be thankful to the catholic kings that the Alhambra exist at all. Most Muslim royal palaces were destroyed or repurposed during the Reconquista. However, the Alhambra was declared a Casa Real (Royal Accommodation), so it survived the destruction.
Out of all the Christian kings with a chance to ever spend time living in this space, Charles V seems to have been the only one who sincerely intended to do so. The construction of the palace started in 1533.
However, the palace was never finished, and as such Charles, and the court never moved properly into the premises. When the moriscos rebelled in Andalucia during his reign, the project was void as it would send the wrong message to the population. The Muslim past of Spain was no longer a priority for Spanish politics.
However, according to Fairchild Ruggles, Charles V destroyed an earlier Muslim court in this area to build his new palace and neither he nor his queen could adapt to the Muslim distribution of the space for living.
7. El Partal
Reconstructed | Palace Remains | Photo Spot
This is one of the parts that are most heavily reconstructed in the Alhambra, according to Vilchez. It only has one of its 4 sides left which often makes people mistake it for a garden pavilion. In fact, according to Zaki, it would be more like a townhouse.
The gardens around it mostly belong to the 20th-century transformation of the Alhambra. However, this is a great spot to take a picture where to get a nice balance between architecture and nature.
6. Unique Inscriptions
Muslim Caligraphy | Nasrid Motto
There are over 900 tiles with this inscription in the Alhambra. Moreover, this type of decoration is unique to this site in comparison to other Islamic palaces. The inscription says “there is no conqueror but Allah”. (Wa-la galiba illa Allah). This was the personal motto of the Nasrid dynasty.
5. Alcazaba
Oldest Buildings | Military Defence | Zirid Dynasty
This is one of the oldest parts of the complex and did not belong to the Nasrid dynasty. According to Cabanelas Rodriguez, this dates earlier to the middle ages. The Torre de la Vela would likely have been the original defensive tower from the 10th/ 11th century.
However, there are mentions of a castle in this area as far as the 9th century. Moreover, it was abandoned until the Zirid dynasty did some reconstructions and development in the mid 11th century when the Alcazaba starts taking the shape of the remains you can see today.
4. Generalife
Summer Palace | Orchards | Water Staircase
This was the summer palace of the Nasrid rulers of Granada. The dating is still vague. However, according to Aben and Wit, it dates from the 14th century. Moreover, Irwin proposes one of its main functions was that of an orchard, which explains the gardens in the area.
In fact, these are some of the oldest Moorish gardens in the world, according to Button and Cavendish. An important thing you must not miss here is the Water Staircase. This is a 4-floor plan staircase with water features that go down the staircase. According to Christopher Thacker, a fire broke out in the Generalife in 1958 destroying several parts of the structure. Therefore, these were rebuilt.
3. Palace of the Lions
Summer Palace | Muhammad V | Court of the Lions
Along with Comares, Palace of the Lions is the only original palace of 6 that still stands in Alhambra. According to Cynthia Robinson, historians thought Muhammad V built it as a “victory palace”.
This means the space was conceived as an area to show off the prowess of the ruler. However, Ruiz and Irwin present the idea that Muhammad V perhaps built this more as a madrasa space (centre dedicated to the cultivation of learning).
The space would have also included a zawiya (centre for devotion and veneration) and a burial site for Muhammad V. Yaqub Zaki proposes that the palace was a leisure venue for the sultan and guests, unlike Comares.
The Court of the Lions in the palace is one of the key attractions of this monument. The lion fountain and water channels are quintessential Alhambra and Al-Andalus. Furthermore, Yaqub Zaki states that the arcades show clear Persian influences beyond the Arabic style that feeds into al-Andalus. However, according to Fairchild Ruggles we still don’t know exactly what the original purpose of this part of the building may have been.
Some historians think it may have been a garden, others that it was a courtyard. The French troops meddled with the original evidence a lot in this area so it is hard for us currently to return it back to its original shape.
2. Hall of the Abencerrajes
Winter Room | Muqarnas
According to Cynthia Robinson, this space was likely conceived as a mausoleum. However, Yaqub Zaki states this was a musical venue, accounting for the acoustic and elaborate ceilings. This refers to the famous ceiling vaults in Abencerrajes with their honeycomb-style decoration or muqarnas.
He also states the reason why this hall is less open than Dos Hermanas (the other music hall in the Palace of the Lions) is that this room was dedicated for winter use.
1. Palace of The Comares
Throne Room | Cuarto Dorado | Court of Myrtles
This is another original palace that still stands mostly complete at Alhambra. According to Cynthia Robinson, historians agree that this was a throne room for the sultans Yusuf I and Muhammad V.
This area was extensively renovated during Muhammad V’s reign as it would have also been a space used for certain festivities. Ruiz proposed that this area could also be interpreted as a place that reflects the increasing patronage and support of Sufism in the Muslim court of Granada.
Yaqub Zaki states that against popular belief, Comares Palace does indeed have a facade, but this is interior. It is in fact one of the most decorated ones in the whole Alhambra, and you can see it on the south side of the Patio del Cuarto Dorado.
Finally, there is the patio that is now known as the Court of Myrtles, due to its myrtle bushes. It also has another famous feature of the Alhambra, which is this large body of water. Back in the day, it would have helped cool the most important apartments in the palace.
The sultans and his wives and concubines’ chambers all would have connected somehow with this patio.
Now you are ready to enjoy the Alhambra!
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