The Alhambra

The Alhambra is an ancient palace and

fortress in Granada, Spain. It is located on
the Sabika Hill, the west side of the city. The
Alhambra is the only surviving palatine city
of the Islamic Golden Age and a remnant of
the Nasrid Dynasty, the last Islamic kingdom
in Western Europe. The site was named after
its reddish walls and towers that surrounded the fortress. The oldest part of the palace was
built in the 9th century, it is called as the Alcazaba, a fortress with multiple towers. Based on
historical records, there was a man named Sawwar ben Hamdun who had sought refugees in
the Alcazaba fortress due to civil fights between Muslims and Muladies. Arab texts suggest
Sawwar ben Hamdun and other Muslims may have then initiated new constructions at the
fortress.

The Alhambra was ignored until the 11th century. When the Zirid Dynasty settled in
the Alcazaba to preserve an important jewish settlement in the area. In 1238, Mohammed ben
Al-Hamar, the founder of the Nasrid Dynasty, settled in the Alcazaba. He was attracted to the
ruins in the Sabika Hill. He subsequently established a new royal residence of Alhambra and
began creating the palatine city known today.

Alhambra is a really beautiful place, not only the palace itself, but the city Granada is
also very beautiful. Because I’m a muslim, it makes the Alhambra’s history more interesting
to me. The Alhambra is also a shooting location of a Korean television show that I watched.
The Alhambra looked so beautiful in the show, I really want to see it with my own eyes.

Devinta Sekar K. (9)

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