The Alhambra in Granada - Term Paper Example

Alhambra in Granada is an important work of Muslim art in Europe that needs to be unfolded. For centuries, it has charmed visitors with its equipped walls, pointed arches, towers, attractive flourishes, carvings, and stunning gardens. The monument in Granada was created in the thirteen century by a Muslim ruler Nasrid Emirs of Granada, Spain (Allsop 2011). The name of the castle was originated from an Arabic source. The name refers to the fact that the shade of the towers and walls that enclose the complete hill of are silver in night and gold in daylight.

The given name of Alhambra has a meaning of “Red or Crimson Castle” (Fogarty 2007). The dimension of the hill where the Alhambra is situated has a length of 740m (2430 ft). The highest breadth is 205m (574 ft) in width. The monument is based on a large area of 142,000 square meters. Darro is a river which flows from the north and functions to separate the plateau and the Albican district of Granada (Hernandez et al 2010). The construction of the palace was initiated by the Arabs who were highly impressed by the work of the Romans.

This motivated them to expand and add new foundations to roads and cities. In9th century the construction of Alhambra was subsequently started in Sabika Hill, though it is believed that in Roman times and even before there was not any structure that massive. The Cordova civil war resulted in the taking over of the state by a new Caliph and the first important step that was the movement of the capital from Elvira to Granada. This step was taken in the eleventh century during the time of the Zirid Dynasty.

The initiation of the fifteenth century was marked by the occupancy by the Ziries in Alcazaba Cadima, or current castle, situated within the Albayzin region and was made part of King Dar-al-Horra’s Palace. The town of Granada started prospering from the bottom of the hill where initially Jews were settled. Vizier Samuel ibn Naghrela started the construction and rebuilt the deserted skeleton situated on the Sabikah Hill and started work on the Alhambra to make it his castle (EdicionesEdilux S.L 2007). In twelfth century the succeeding attacks of Almoravides and Almohades in Granada came to a halt following violent and blood-spattered fights in the Alcazaba Del Albayzin and in the castle of Alhambra, which was the safe haven for the Andalusians as well as the Borth African attackers (Allsop 2011).

Ahmar ibn Nasir was the initiator of the Nasrid Dynasty. He used to live at the Alcazaba of the Albayzin. Ahmar was highly concerned with regard to the demolished structure of the Alhambra and he decided to rebuilt the palace and use it as his court. Ahmar was aware of the high status of the Alhambra as kings and sultans had used this palace and lived in it. He raised the status of the place and the high ups and the kings of Nasrid Dynasty maintained the trend and the Alhambra was therefore marked to be the residence of the privileged people.

The Alhambra maintained its privilege throughout the tenure of the Nasrid Dynasty. The Dynasty eventually came to an end in the fifteenth century (EdicionesEdilux S.L 2007). Some sources believe that there is no evidence to the Alhambra being held as a residence of kings until the thirteen century, but still