The Alhambra of Granada is a monumental complex on the Andalusian city of Granada. They are a set of ancient palaces, gardens and fortresses initially conceived to house the emir and the court of the Nasrid kingdom, later as the residence of the kings of Castile and their representatives. Its artistic singularity lies in the interiors of the Nasrid palaces, whose decoration is among the summits of Andalusian art, as well as in its location and adaptation, which generated a new landscape but fully integrated with the pre-existing nature.
It houses a museum of Andalusian art, the city's main art gallery and an old convent currently converted into a national inn, managed by the institution Patronato de la Alhambra y el Generalife. In 2016 it was the second place in number of visitors in Spain, after the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984, along with the Generalife and the Albaicín neighborhood.
The Alhambra was built on the Sabika hill, one of the highest points in the city of Granada, a defensive location, and at the same time represents a clear symbol of power because it is located at the top and is very noticeable to the rest of the city. city, a location chosen to be contemplated.
The Emir Ben-Al-Hamar built the first nucleus of the palace, which later fortified that of his son Muhammad II. In all likelihood, the outer walls and aqueduct were completed at the end of the 13th century. The gardens and pavilions of the Generalife apparently date from the reign of Isma'il (1314-1325). But the most important sites of the Alhambra (the Myrtles and Lions patio complex) belong to the era of Yusuf I (1333-1354) and Muhammed V. This Granada style is the culmination of Andalusian art. After three centuries of activity, the three sectors in the Alhambra are well differentiated: the citadel, the urban framework and the palaces.
In 1492 the conquest of Granada by the Catholic Monarchs ended when they received the keys to Granada from Ferdinand the Catholic, entered the Alhambra and raised the cross and flag on top of the Comares Tower. The Alhambra thus became the citadel and royal palace of the Christian kings and the complex continued its development: the convent of San Francisco was added in 1494, the palace of Charles V in 1527 and the church of Santa María de la Encarnación de la Alhambra. in 1581.
Currently, Granada cannot be conceived without the Alhambra, its gardens and the Sierra Nevada in the background, another of the city's symbols.
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