Granada | Mysite

GRANADA, SPAIN

November 2023

Granada sits on the site of the ancient settlements beginning in the 3rd century BC. The Romans, followed by the Phoenicians and Carthaginians inhabited the area until the 8th century. Also known as the Emirate of Granada or the Nasrid Kingdom or Granada, it was the longest standing Islamic realm in the Iberian Peninsula, from 711 to 1494.
Beginning in the early 700s, Muslims have been present in the Iberian Peninsula, and were called Al-Andalus. If that word sounds familiar, it’s probably because still today, the southern most part of Spain is called Andalusia.

Throughout Andalusia, there is no clear-cut line between Christian and Muslim architecture. The Spanish Christians who eventually conquered the Moors and expelled the Muslims and the Jews during the Inquisition, starting in 1492, didn’t tear down all the Moorish work. They applied Muslim decorative motifs to their own architecture, in a design style called Mudéjar (a word that also refers to the Muslims the Christians allowed for a time to remain).

I’ve seen examples of this all over Europe and parts of the Middle East. In Istanbul, the famous Hagia Sophia mosque was once a Christian church, and crosses came still be seen throughout the mosque.

Alhambra is a palace complex and citadel that was created in 1238 by Muhammad I ibn al-Ahmar, the founder of the Nasird dynasty that ruled the Emirate of Granada from 1232-1492. Muhammad I’s successors expanded the palace. During the reign of Isma’il I (1273-1302), the Comares Palace and Comares Baths were added. Yusuf I (1333-1354) added the Comares Tower and the Hall of the Ambassadors. He also converted existing towers along the northern walls to serve as residences. By the time Muhammad V’s second reign began (1354-1359, 1362-1391), Nasrid architecture was at its peak. He commissioned the construction of the Patios of the Lions, and refurbished the Mexuar and the Comares Palace (mainly the Court of the Myrtles and the Hall of Ambassadors).

After the 1492 conquest of Granada, the Catholic Monarchs converted Alhambra into a royal palace of Christian Spain. Charles V ordered the destruction of parts of the complex, in order to make room for a Renaissance-style palace for himself. He also built the Emperor’s Chamber, the Queen’s Dressing Room and a church to replace the mosque.

The Nasrid Palaces are the shining jewel of Alhambra. They are comprised of the Mexuar, the Comares Palace (the official residence of the king), and the Palace of the Lions (the private area of the palace where the Harem was located)

Palacio de Comares (Comares Palace) was built in the early 13th century under the reign of Isma’il (1273-1302), and served as the official residence of the sultan and the state. It is mainly comprised of the Golden Room, the Patio of the Golden Room, the Myrtle Courtyard and the Hall of the Ambassadors.

Mexuar was the entrance wing of the Comares Palace, and was the semi-public part of the palace. It was used for justice administration and State affairs. After the conquest of Granada by Catholic Monarchs in 1492, it was was converted into a chapel.

Patio del Cuarto Dorado (Courtyard of the Gilded Room or Patio of the Golden Room ) is located between the Mexuar and the The Myrtle Courtyard; it is where the king received his subjects in audience, primary in the second half of the 14th century, and where official hearings where held.

Corte de los Arrayanes (The Myrtle Courtyard) was commissioned by Sultan Yusuf I, in the mid-14th century. It gets its name from the myrtle hedges that line both sides of the reflective pool.

When I was there in November, the pool had been drained, hence the lack of water seen in the photos.

The Salón de los Embajadores (Hall of the Ambassadors) is located on the north side of the Myrtle Courtyard, and is the largest room in Alhambra; it is 11m2 (37 ft2) and has a dome that is 23m (75 ft) high. It was the grand reception room, and the throne of the sultan was placed opposite the entrance. It’s location opposite the courtyard from the Salón de los Abencerrajes.

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Karen Lawrence

Capturing the world and its history...unfiltered

GRANADA, SPAIN