The largest palace in Granada. The Alhambra Fortress in Spain is the New Eighth Wonder of the World. Ticket prices, opening hours and options for visiting the Alhambra Castle

The Alhambra is a monument of Moorish architecture, an incredible complex. Palace, towers, gardens, fountains and, of course, history! Inside there are observation decks with beautiful views of Granada, the mountains and the surrounding area. It is best to visit on weekday mornings, as there are many people interested.

Alhambra, photo Alexwing

Alhambra translated from Spanish means “Red Castle”. The Alhambra is located in the city. The architectural ensemble of the castle is visible from afar. The red stone fortress blends into the red-brown ferruginous soil of La Sibica Hill.

The Alhambra is a grandiose structure: a complex of gardens and palaces united by fortress walls. The road from Granada to the fortress passes through beautiful park along the slopes of Cuesta de Gomeres. The main entrance to the complex is the Gate of Justice, created in 1348. This is a monumental brick vaulted arch built in the shape of a horseshoe.

Behind the arch there is the Wine Gate - Puerta del Vin, then - Plaza de Los Algibes. Behind this square is the entrance to palace complex.

Once upon a time the Alhambra was political center and the residence of the emirs of Granada. The creation of Moorish architects was called “earthly paradise”, “Eighth wonder of the world”. Emirate of Granada in the XIII-XIV centuries. was the richest state in Spain. During this period, Arab rule in the Pyrenees entered its last phase. The Alhambra citadel became the last Muslim stronghold on the peninsula.

The construction of the Nasrid fortress and palace complex began in 1238 by Muhammad ibn Nasr. It was a bold and extremely expensive project. Arab engineers had to regulate the flow of water running from the peaks of the Sierra Nevada so that mountain moisture fed all the palace gardens, ponds, and fountains.

The complex consisted of several open palace rooms: Mechoires, Comares and the Palace of the Lions; patios and gardens with artificial ponds. All rooms were grouped around two main courtyards: Lion and Myrtle, connected by a passage.

Myrtle Court

The Myrtle Courtyard (Patio de los Arrayanes) has preserved its solemn and ceremonial appearance even today. This is a representative example of Moorish gardening art. In the center of the territory there is a large pond surrounded by myrtle trees. The end sides of the platform are decorated with semi-arches standing on columns.

Nasrid Palace. Scheme

At the northern edge of the Myrtle Court stands the Comares Tower Palace with a throne room called the “Chamber of Ambassadors.” The dome of this luxurious room is decorated with patterns of twinkling stars, and the walls from top to bottom are decorated with the finest elegant carvings. The shimmer of the interior surfaces comes from rays of light entering through the intricate carvings of the interior windows. Stalactites cascade down from the carved cedar ceiling.

Mechoir

Mexuar is the oldest of the palace buildings. It was partially destroyed and rebuilt into christian temple, so the original decoration has not been completely preserved. Particularly noteworthy in this building are the tiled plinth panels and the magnificent belvedere-oratory. Mechouar and the Comares Palace are connected by the Golden Room.

The small elegant Lion's Courtyard (Patio de los Leones) was the center of the palace's living quarters during the time of emirs Ibn Nasr. It is surrounded by graceful porticoes, and in the middle of the courtyard there is a beautiful fountain. A marble bowl of an artificial reservoir lies on the backs of twelve stone lions (this fountain was created as an allegorical embodiment of the throne of King Solomon).

On three sides of the Lion Court there are palace premises: the Hall of Stalactites (Sala de los Mocárabes), the Hall of the Abencerrajes (Longbeards) and the Hall of the Two Sisters (Sala de las Dos Hermanas) (women's residence). Magnificent painted majolica has been preserved on the walls of these ancient halls, and the ceilings are decorated with carved knocks. Mosaics, colored marble, painted alabaster and ceramics were used to decorate the cornices and arches. Complex and multi-colored decorative patterns consist of an interweaving of plant motifs with Arabic script and geometric patterns.

Alhambra architecture

The architects of the Alhambra had to use the entire arsenal of visual means known to them and use all their imagination to create a palace unsurpassed in luxury. All the decorative elements of the complex were carefully calculated, but at first glance they give the impression of some irrationality. Excesses and pompous decor suppress the rational principle. An outside observer has no idea: what are all these multiple double columns and pointed arches that fill the courtyards in abundance?

This exaggerated luxury has both a deep original intention and a practical grain. Everything in the Alhambra complex is organic: stone, greenery, water. Streams of water in thin invisible streams and quite tangible fountains run through the marble slabs and spread over the surface of internal reservoirs. There is no confusion here - the direction of movement of water and the point of impact of water jets are precisely calculated. Everything has a regular, organized geometric shape: ponds, trees, neatly trimmed bushes. The vertical jets of the fountains echo the verticals of the slender columns.

Nature in the Alhambra

Mirador de Daraxa - covered balcony of the Hall of the Two Sisters, overlooking the Lindaraja courtyard (Patio de Lindaraja)

Nature in the Alhambra is controlled, artificially organized - “fettered”, according to observers. Against this background, the architecture looks strikingly animated. The walls and vaults of the palaces look “alive”. Colorful motifs of wall and ceiling ornaments flicker in the rays of light, and stalactites descend from the vaults in abundance. The decorative design of the entire complex follows a special rhythm, repeating similar elements in different combinations. In the Alhambra complex, Muslim architecture in Spain found its highest manifestation and exhausted itself, giving way to new values.

Palace of Charles V east side Plaza los Algibes began to be built in 1526, but for a number of reasons it remained unfinished. The construction was led by architect Pedro Machuca. This palace differs from the surrounding buildings in its pronounced Renaissance appearance. Now it houses the Alhambra Museum (Museo de la Alhambra) and the Museum fine arts Granada (Museo de Bellas Artes de Granada). A collection of Spanish-Muslim art and a collection of works of art by masters of the Granada school are exhibited here.

Church of Santa Maria

Next to the Palace of Charles V stands the Church of Santa Maria. It was built between 1581 and 1618. on the site of the former mosque of the Alhambra Palace. The first mass was celebrated in this temple after the liberation of the city from the rule of the Moors.

The luxurious Generalife gardens have been created since the beginning of the 16th century. In this park complex, the Irrigation Canal Courtyard is considered the most spectacular object. At the beginning of the 17th century, the Alhambra Forest Park (Bosque de la Alhambra) was laid out, framing the Alhambra fortress on the north and southwest sides.

Scheme of the Alhambra in Russian

Working hours

October 5 – March 14:
Mon-Sun 8:30 - 18:00 - daytime visit;
Fri, Sat 20:00-21:30 - evening visit.

March 15 - October 14:
Mon-Sun 8:30 - 20:00 - daytime visit;
Tue-Sat 22:00-23:30 - evening visit.

How to get there

Take bus 30 to the Gate of Justice (Puerta de la Justica).

Which ticket to the Alhambra should I buy?

It is better to buy tickets to the Alhambra Palace in advance, as visitor access is limited.

You can purchase them in different ways:

buy at the box office on the day of your visit;
online at . This the best option- save time and definitely get to the palace. You can purchase no more than 10 tickets at a time;
order by phone +34934923750 from 08:00 to 24:00.

The cost of a full day ticket is €14;
at night – €8;
children under 12 years old – free;
Alhambra gardens only – €7.

There is an audio guide in Russian for €6.

Types of tickets to the Alhambra

I recommend taking the Alhambra General ticket for €14. It includes entry to the Alhambra, registration for certain time to the Royal Palace (Palacios Nazaríes), Generalife Gardens and Alcazaba Fortress. In short, everything there is, but without an unnecessary guide.

If you want to save money, take a €7 ticket. It includes entrance to the Alhambra, the Generalife Gardens and the Alcazaba Fortress. Only the Royal Palace is missing. This ticket does not need to be purchased in advance.

How to buy tickets without queuing or if tickets are sold out?

Eat great option get into the Alhambra without a queue, even if there are no tickets on the website anymore! To do this, buy a city map. It includes:

Alhambra and Generalife (+ Nasrid Palace)
Cathedral Granada
Royal Chapel
Monastery of Cartuja
Monastery of San Jeronimo
Science Park Museum
Caja Museum Granada
City buses: 5 trips on the local network

Buy Alhambra Card →

How do I save on hotels?

It’s very simple - look not only on booking. I prefer the search engine RoomGuru. He searches for discounts simultaneously on Booking and on 70 other booking sites.

Traveling is one of the main joys in a person’s life. To see the world, they say you need to visit 25 major places. Excursion tours to Spain are among the most popular routes tourists. Why? Because there are many places of amazing beauty and historical value here. A real gem are the castles of Spain. Cordoba, Seville, Capdepera, Tabernas - these names excite and attract tourists. But the very first place is occupied by Granada, the Alhambra. It is not for nothing that it is called “the eighth wonder of the world” - it amazes with its magnificence, scale and imagination of its creators.

Historical context

The Granada region has been inhabited since before our era. After the fall of the Roman Empire, an era of decline began throughout its entire territory. The city of Granada passes from one conqueror to another, losing its scale and beauty. In the 8th century, only a fortress appears here and remains on the site of Granada, which is used as a defensive structure. At the beginning of the collapse of the emirate in 1013, the territory was captured by a representative of the Algerian Berbers, who, on the site of today's city, creates his own settlement, Midanat Garnata ("hill of pilgrims" in Arabic). The Zirid dynasty rebuilds the historical center, but the city changes owners again - in 1090 the Almoravid dynasty comes to power. After its decline, the Almohad dynasty took possession of the territory. Thus, for many centuries, Muslim culture dominated this land. At the beginning of the 13th century, the dynasty experienced numerous military failures, which led to the fact that in 1238 the territory was captured by Muhammad ibn Nasr the First, who created and led the Nasrid dynasty. From this point on, the real flourishing, development and planning of the city began and is visible today in Granada.

In 1492, the emirate fell under the onslaught of the troops of Queen Isabella of Spain the First, from that moment a new page began for Granada. But the Nasrid era is forever captured in the beautiful Alhambra castle-fortress.

Geographical position

Granada is located in the south of Spain, part of administrative District Andalusia. Any sightseeing tours When visiting Spain, you will definitely want to visit this region as one of the most interesting and unusual. The city is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, which provide a mild, favorable climate for life. The tropical climate and fertile soils made this region so tempting for invaders. The city spreads out on three hills, which created profitable terms for defense, it is not in vain that the first Muslim fortresses appeared here in the 8th century. The city is fed by the Darro River, and the proximity Mediterranean Sea provides great trading opportunities. So lucky geographical location became the cause of long wars in this territory, everyone wanted to live in this paradise.

Nasrid Dynasty

The Nasrid dynasty, represented by Muhammad I, which came to power in 1238, became an island of prosperity for art and culture. Muhammad occupied the territory of Granada and, realizing that he could not hold it under the onslaught of Christian attacks, concluded an agreement with Ferdinand III. This helped him not only preserve his land, but even expand its borders. Muhammad's descendants ruled the city until 1492. For 250 years, Granada has been a center of education and art. The Nasrids were highly educated and had a passion for science and art. Scientists, artists, musicians and poets from all over Europe were invited to their capital. The Alhambra Palace became a monument to this dynasty, displaying the best features of Moorish art and culture.

History of construction

Granada has seen it for many centuries. The Alhambra as a palace began to be built in the 13th century. Muhammad I, who moved his residence to the Alhambra, first began to fortify the palace. A Watchtower was built and the ancient walls were strengthened. Then the Tower of Reverence appeared. Having ensured security, the emir began to engage in landscaping. His initiatives were continued by his successor. Under Yusuf I and Muhammad the Fifth, the most a large number of buildings The Alcabaza is being improved and expanded, palaces are built, walls are strengthened, the famous courtyard with lions, the Comares Tower, and iron gates appear. In 1492, the Alhambra was conquered by Catholic troops and became a royal residence. The palace of Charles V and the Church of Santa Maria are being built here.

Later, good fortune turned away from the Alhambra. The Bourbons had no interest in it and even blew up part of the complex. They say that they wanted to destroy the entire palace, but, fortunately, they did not do so. In 1821, significant damage to the Alhambra was caused by an earthquake. In the second third of the 19th century, a colony of romantics formed here; Byron, Goethe, and Chateaubriand worked here. At the same time, the restoration of the palace began and an attitude towards the Alhambra gradually developed as a monument of history, culture and architecture.

Architectural complex

Very unusual for European city Granada has architecture. The Alhambra was built according to Muslim customs. Today, at first glance, the complex gives the visitor the impression of a chaotic jumble of buildings, gardens and courtyards. But in reality, the layout of the palace was carefully thought out. Each zone is grouped around an open courtyard. The entrance gate and garden were intended for solving small matters and for receiving visitors for whom the way inside was closed. Next came the state rooms for receptions with beautiful halls and courtyards. The long passage that led into the hall was called La Barca, it served as a place for welcoming speeches. The most intimate and most beautiful part is the private quarters. Half of the emir and the female part stood out here. The center of this part is the luxurious Lion Courtyard. There was also a separate area - the garden, which was a real work of art. In its original plan, the complex has not survived to this day. Some of the buildings were destroyed, some were built up with later structures. But even in this form, the palace makes an indelible impression of scale and luxury.

Moorish style

Built in oriental style Granada. The Alhambra was built mainly by Arabs. The castle is an excellent example of the Moorish style, which was born in Muslim and Arab culture, but organically absorbed the features of Spanish art. The architecture of the Moors has a pronounced specificity. First of all, this is due to the attitude towards buildings. The Arabs originally lived in deserts, where a comfortable life was possible only in oases. It was these oases that they tried to make all their palaces look like, hence the love for creating gardens, the special significance of water in castles and parks. The architecture of the Moors was built on a harmonious combination of figures such as the square and cube; they were the basis of both structures and decor. It is always easy to recognize the buildings of the Moors by their great ornamentation and the use of calligraphy in the design of buildings. Constructive features of the Moors style are horseshoe vaults, vaulted ceilings, often converging in the center in the shape of an eight-pointed star. In terms of planning, buildings in this style were always centered around a courtyard, around which structures for various purposes were located. The interiors were distinguished by their brightness, the use of carvings, mosaics, carpets, and colored textiles. In the Alhambra, the Moorish style reached its peak, the complex has a more graceful and refined form than the buildings of previous periods.

Nasrid Palace

The most valuable part of the complex, the Nasrid Palaces, is an example. These include three autonomous monumental complexes: Mechouar - buildings for audiences and courts, Comares Palace - official residence emir for receptions, the Lion Palace - private chambers of the ruler's family. The oldest palace part is Mechouar; some of the buildings were rebuilt in Christian times. However, the main hall, decorated with tiles and quotes from the Koran, has retained its appearance. The passage from Mechouar to the Comares Palace is decorated with gold tiles. Under Yusuf I, the Komares Palace with the famous Golden Room was built. The guest entered the official residence through the spectacular Myrtle courtyard, decorated with evergreen trellises. Around the courtyard there are graceful openwork columns with arches. The palace is connected to the Comares Tower by the long La Barca welcoming hall, the walls of which are decorated with plaster stucco and tiles. High tower At 45 meters it houses the largest Hall of Ambassadors. Its luxurious wooden ceiling depicts the seven heavens of paradise from the Koran and is surrounded by a spectacular frieze of stalactites. The most luxurious part of the palace, the private chambers, begins with the famous Lion's Courtyard. From the courtyard you can enter the Stalactite Hall, the ceiling of which is decorated in the traditional Arabic way - with special folds. Also from the courtyard you can enter the halls of the Kings, Justice, Two Sisters, Biforians and Abencerrachs. Each of them is an example of the Moorish style of the heyday. Here you can see paintings, tiles, stucco.

Famous courtyards

Islamic dwellings were built around courtyards, which were the main center of life, so they were arranged with maximum convenience. A mandatory design element was a fountain, which provided coolness and created a peaceful mood. The main ones in the Alhambra are considered to be the Myrtle Court - the center of the public life of the palace with a large reservoir in the middle, surrounded by a myrtle border, the Lion Court - the heart of the emir's personal life, the center of which is a fountain with 12 figures of lions, along the perimeter of the court there are graceful columns with carvings. Another courtyard on the personal half of the emir is Alberki (“pond”). It is surrounded by white colonnades and a rectangular pond lined with greenery in which the buildings are reflected. All courtyards are filled with columns and arcades, which create a welcome shade and give the space majesty. The luxury of the decoration of the courtyards is amazing: these are tiles, elegant carvings of columns, ornaments and calligraphic inscriptions. The Generalife Palace has a Court of Water, in the center of which there is a rectangular reservoir surrounded by walls and arcades.

Towers and gates

The Alhambra has always existed not only as a palace, but also as a defensive structure. Therefore, its walls are decorated with many towers that perform sentinel functions. In total, more than 15 similar structures have been preserved in the castle. Weapon Tower- one of the most ancient in the fortress, it was erected during the construction of Alcabaza. Its brutal appearance still gives the impression of power and reliability. The 13th-century Tower of the Captive served as a place of imprisonment for the emir's beloved wife. The Peak Tower was built in conjunction with the Outskirts Gate and protected the gardens of Herenalife.

Gates in Arab times were of great importance; they had to not only be strong, but also express a certain idea and perform an aesthetic function. The oldest surviving ones are the Wine Churches, decorated with beautiful pointed arches and carvings. The iron gates were built back in the 13th century and provided reliable protection for the bastion. The outskirts guarded the entrance to the Generalife garden.

Alhambra Gardens

The Alhambra is famous for its gardens as much as for its buildings. The emirs sought to create something around themselves, so nature in the palaces was sometimes given more attention than buildings. Water and plants play the most important expressive function in the architecture of palaces. The murmuring water, the aroma of flowers and the rustling of leaves create an atmosphere of absolute peace and harmony. Already at the entrance to the palace, the visitor found himself in the gardens of the Main Entrance, every corner of which was carefully planned, fountains and ponds were thought out here. And there are a lot of flowers everywhere: bushes, flower beds, flowerpots - the visitor is immersed in this blooming aura and tunes into the spirit of the building. Each palace is surrounded by external gardens and has internal ones, into which outsiders were restricted. The rarest plants and the most beautiful flowers were planted in the inner ones. Previously, external and internal gardens were limited by walls from each other; today, bosquets, trimmed in the form of fortress walls, are usually planted between them.

Palace of Charles the Fifth

After the capture of the Alhambra by Christian authorities, a Royal Palace for Charles the Fifth and his wife Today, excursions in Spain necessarily include a visit to this building. Against the backdrop of elegant and luxurious buildings in the Moorish style, the palace looks like a foreign body. It is designed in the Italian Mannerist style, its plaster walls and classic square proportions would be beautiful elsewhere, but look out of place here. The building has a stone-paved courtyard surrounded by two-story arcades of columns with Ionic capitals. Today it houses the Museum of Fine Arts and the Alhambra Museum.

Generalife

In the 13th century, the Alhambra Castle received another beautiful residence - a summer residence, called the Generalife. The palace consists of a main building, secondary buildings and a beautiful garden. The main house is built in a deliberately simple style, in sharp contrast to the Nasrid palaces. Here nature comes to the fore. The main courtyard of the Generalife is a courtyard of an irrigation canal, along which trees are planted and rows of water jets are made. The palace is made excellent Observation deck, from which Granada is clearly visible. In the 19th century, the palace developed the Upper Gardens with a spectacular water staircase and a romantic mirador in the neo-Gothic style. The Lower Gardens are a 20th-century building; there is no former sophistication here, but beautifully trimmed bushes and a variety of flowers make the place very pleasant for walks in the summer heat.

Partal

A separate area of the Alhambra is Partal. At the beginning of the 14th century, the Palace of the Fig Tree or Partal (“portico”) was built here. However, most of the buildings have not survived. Today on this territory you can see the Dam Tower or, in other words, the Prince Tower. It is built into the outer wall and consists of a portico with five arched entrances. In the center there is a traditional rectangular pond decorated with plants. Opens from the top platform of the tower beautiful view to the Alhambra. IN late XIX century, a German entrepreneur bought the southern part of the territory for private development, he donated the land to the Spanish king, in return asking for the right to export to Germany a luxurious ceiling made of cedar and poplar with carvings, which today is on display in the Berlin Museum. Adjacent to the territory of Partal are gardens in which the foundations of the nobles' dwellings have been preserved.

Practical information

In order to get to the Alhambra, you need to take care of tickets in advance. The facility's capacity is small, so they disperse quickly. You can buy excursions in Spain and Granada via the Internet, but the ticket must be printed at the palace ticket office. To do this, you will need the card with which it was paid. There are separate tickets for visiting the gardens and all buildings except the Nasrid Palace. There are full ones - for access to all objects. For the Nasrid Palace, the ticket will indicate exact time visits, the visit lasts only 30 minutes, you cannot go inside again.

This is an architectural composition that is an outstanding achievement of Moorish architects throughout Western Europe. It is located on a rocky plateau in the southeastern part of Granada and includes beautiful palaces, paradise gardens and an ancient fortress. Every year, millions of tourists flock to the south of Spain to see this miracle of Moorish architecture with their own eyes.

The name Alhambra is translated from Arabic as “red castle”. Some associate the origin of the name with the sun-dried clay from which the palaces are made, others believe that the name came from the red torches that illuminated the area during the construction of the palaces.

History of the Alhambra

The development of the Alhambra began during the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula by Muslims, who settled in southern Spain in the 8th century. During the reign of the Nasrid dynasty (1230-1492), Granada received the status of the capital of the Emir of Granada - the Moorish possessions in Spain.

The Moorish emirs wished to create a piece of paradise in places remote from home - this is how the Alhambra arose among the gardens of Granada, which became the residence of the conquering emirs. At that time, the complex, surrounded by high walls with towers, included residential buildings, mosques, gardens, baths, warehouses and a cemetery. Only palaces built in the 14th century have survived to this day.

The interior decoration of the Alhambra complex harmoniously combines picturesque gardens and courtyards, decorated with fountains, ponds and canals with many exquisite arches, columns and carved windows. All this is decorated with traditional Arabic scripts, colorful ceramic mosaics, floral patterns and carved patterns in stone and wood.

The most important role in the composition of the Alhambra is given to water and light. Surrounded by fragrant vegetation, water shimmers in many fountains and gurgles merrily in canals and cascades.

Water flowing into fountains and canals from mountain peaks Sierra Nevada was highly valued by the Moors. And in general, streams, fountains and waterfalls are no less a characteristic feature for the Arabs than columns for the Greeks.

The Alhambra consists of a complex of courtyards, rooms, towers and passages, each of which had its own purpose. The names speak for themselves:

The “Myrtle Courtyard” is decorated with evergreen myrtle trellises.
The “Hall of the Two Sisters” is so named because of the two large white marble slabs built into the floor.
“The Courtyard of the Lions” got its name thanks to the fountain installed on the backs of 12 lions.

The Chamber of Ambassadors was created to conduct official ceremonies and celebrations. The dome of the room is decorated with a shimmering star pattern.

Separately, it is worth noting the numerous towers of the Alhambra with beautifully decorated halls, swimming pools and stunning views from their tops.

The most recent building, the Palace of Carlos V, stands out sharply against the background of all the buildings. It was built in the 16th century and is a square structure with a circular courtyard with Tuscan columns on the lower floor and an Ionic colonnade on the upper. Currently, various concerts are held in the palace. Also located in the interior are the Granada Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeological Museum Alhambra.

Where is the Alhambra

The Alhambra Palace is located at Calle Real de la Alhambra, s/n, 18009 Granada, Spain

Phone:+34 958 02 79 71

“Red Castle” is the translation of the name of the luxurious palace complex, which I want to tell you about today. Today no one can say where exactly the name came from. Either the abundance of red torches on the fortress walls gave rise to this. Perhaps the color of sun-dried clay was the impetus for this name. Be that as it may, I interpret it in my own way. And in my opinion, “red” means “beautiful”! And you will be convinced of this by visiting here in person. To do this you need to come to the castle (Spain).

So, either a city, or a garden, or a fortress, or perhaps a huge Moorish complex of palaces and gardens.

History of creation

They built the Alhambra, built it, and finally built it. They began to build the palace complex in the 13th century, although in fact they began to “mess around” here several centuries earlier.

Back in the 9th century, in official documentary records there were references to a certain dilapidated fortress, which was located in this very place even before the palace. In those distant times, one of the warring rulers of the Emirate of Cordoba was hiding from his opponents in these ruins. For another hundred or two hundred years, the fortress was strengthened and rebuilt, until in the 11th century it was territorially connected to the city. The fortress turned into a more or less independent quarter (medina). Such neighborhoods could be self-sufficient if the city was under siege by conquerors.

Fateful events took place here in the first half of the 13th century. Then a certain Muhammad ibn Nasr “grabbed” some power for himself in the state of Muslims. He became the founder of the Granada Emirate with its capital in Granada. Of course, it was decided to make the residence in the Alhambra.

The castle began to be intensively strengthened. After all, the residence of the ruler... It was fortified so diligently and responsibly that Muhammad’s heirs even had to change the course of the local river - all for the sake of the “common military cause.”

As you understand, at that time the building played the role of a defensive structure, which did not look like luxurious palace. It was only in the 14th century that one of the ruler’s heirs began to give Alhambra the appearance of a real palace complex.

At the same time, the Palace of Lions, several new gates and baths were built, and carvings appeared on the walls. Subsequently, few people cared about the decoration and decoration of the palace. The palace is as it was in the 14th century.

New important points The life of the Alhambra began in the 15th century. Then Granada was liberated from the Mauritanians. The Spanish crown took possession of the palace. In the 16th century, the complex was supplemented with a special palace for Charles the Fifth. At the same time, some of the old buildings were destroyed, as well as decorative elements on the palace walls. In the 18th century, the palace “fell into a coma”; it was almost forgotten, leading to destruction and decline...

They remembered it again in the 19th century. It was not the rulers who laid their eyes on her, but creative people - painters and writers. For almost 60 years in a row they tried to restore the complex, “sucking out of thin air” some of its details. They approached the work not scientifically, but creatively... What can I say, artists are impressionable and imaginative people... And only after a while, with the advent of the 20th century, they began to restore the palace, relying on historical documents.

Now it is a whole palace and park complex, consisting of a fortress and palaces with museums, gardens and sculptural compositions. The Alhambra is experiencing its rebirth, attracting millions of tourists every year.

Palace elements

Since our landmark is a whole architectural ensemble, it would be wrong to talk about it as one palace.

For convenience, as a rule, the Alhambra is divided into zones or sectors. It’s easier to describe this way, and tourists won’t get lost.

Alcazaba

This word used to be used by the Arabs in Spain to call the fortified residence of their ruler. In our case, Alcazaba is the oldest part of the complex, located at the top of the hill. This is where the first “builders” and owners of the fortress lived.

Among the oldest elements of the buildings we see ancient walls, a Watchtower, the ruins of several old buildings, the remains of a water collection tank, a prison and part of the residential buildings for servants. Nowadays, gardens are also included in this sector. But they appeared later and have nothing to do with the old buildings.

The last dynasty of emirs, its representatives lived here in this building with adjacent courtyards, halls and towers. This is where those in power most often lived. Here was their, so to speak, permanent residence. The palace had three sectors: Mechoir, Palace of the Lions and Comares. Tourists can still see them today. Meshuar is a room for the work of the court and the reception of citizens. Comares is the official residence for receiving high-ranking guests and foreign envoys. And in the Palace of Lions lived the “lions” themselves, the rulers. There were their private chambers. In the emir's palace today they have tried to restore as much as possible the interior that it had during the reign of its owners. Come in and rule.

Charles V of Habsburg, Holy Roman Emperor, officially stayed here (in the Alhambra) in summer time. But apparently he was a capricious ruler - he was not satisfied with the ancient buildings, he wanted new palace to yourself. And in the 16th century, they began to build a new palace opposite the old one. It was later called the Palace of Charles V. The style chosen was the Italian Renaissance. The building is in the shape of a square. The patio is round. It was completed only in the 20th century, when the customer was no longer in sight.

As I said above, over time it became a full-fledged residential area(district, quarter). It included both government palaces and the residential sector of commoners. Medina was called the Upper Alhambra. Here, in fact, lived both ordinary people, gentlemen, and artisans. All of them were busy maintaining the palace complex. The quarter itself was quite noticeably separated from the “royal part” - they dug a ditch, which was surrounded by a strong wall with fortress towers. When the era of Christians arrived, this part of the complex was abandoned. The buildings have collapsed over time. The Catholics set up their monastery in one palace. The rest of the medina was made into a park (garden).

This palace is often written about separately as a famous landmark of Granada. This is kind of a separate point in tourist routes guidebooks. This palace is located 350 meters from the main Alhambra complex. It’s funny, but the rulers “came” here to relax, just like we go to the dacha today. Although the distance is only like “the cat cried.” From the previous appearance There is not even a brick left of the Generalife. The Christian era and regular restructuring completely erased everything that was here originally. Add to this the period complete destruction, which lasted for decades. And despite this, this palace- amazingly beautiful. If you don’t “bother” with the lack of “pristine” nature, then there is something to look at.

Local gardens are spoken of as a separate independent tourist attraction. To say “gardens” is an understatement. This word hides the garden plantings themselves, and wonderful cozy courtyards, and fountains on terraces, cascades of water streams, canals, reservoirs, elaborate arches, weightless vaults, slender colonnades, carved windows with airy light patterns... Everywhere there is decoration in Arabic script with glorification of Allah, plant-themed ornaments, bright multi-colored mosaics, ceramic tiles, openwork carvings on wood and even stone.

Wonderfully smelling oranges, alleys of slender cypress trees, blooming flower beds, the murmur of water in cascades and splashing fountains. It seems that when laying out the gardens of the Alhambra in Granada, their creators paid special attention and importance to water and light. Everything here is subordinated to the general idea of creating comfort, coziness, bright joy...

Water came into the canals and fountains from the mountain slopes. The value of water in the era of the Moors was high. It's like columns for the Greeks. Water should have been an essential element of important architectural ensembles of the time.

How to get there?

How to get to the Alhambra Palace in Granada? As I have said many times, palace ensemble located on a hill called La Sabica near the historical center Granada. Therefore, there should be no problems finding this attraction.

Three popular ways: on your own, by car (personal or taxi), by bus.

From the city center to the hill it is no more than a kilometer walk. Therefore, it won’t be difficult to get there on foot. The starting point is Granada Cathedral. If you are short on time, then use public transport, or rent a car. The route you need is C3. For the convenience of tourists with cars, there are guarded parking lots near the palace complex. If you don't eat at excursion bus, but you took a car, then your route will be slightly different from the “bus” route. You will have to enter not from the city center, but from the southern section of the ring road.

Ticket price and opening hours

Here, as usual, I advise you to take a look at the official website of the Alhambra so as not to get into trouble.

The entrance ticket to the Nasrid Palace is valid only for 30 minutes from the time indicated on the ticket. This is due to limiting the number of visitors in the palace premises. If you are late and your 30 minutes are up, no one will let you in and you will have to buy a ticket again.

There is no single ticket to visit the entire complex of palaces at once. Or rather, it exists, but such a ticket gives the right to a very, very general overview of the territory. If you want to consider everything in detail and scrupulously, then tickets to each palace and even gardens must be purchased separately. In addition, there are tickets for daytime and evening visits. They also differ in price.

So, the most general sightseeing ticket to the Alhambra Palace in Spain costs 14 euros. Children under 12 years old enter free of charge. From 12 to 15 years old - pay 8 euros. Pensioners over 65 years old pay 9 euros for entry. Tickets for disabled people are sold for 8 euros.

Find out more detailed information on visiting each area of the Alhambra on the website.

Important: on average, the excursion takes at least three hours. Tickets are selling out like crazy. Therefore, purchase them in advance. It is more convenient to do this online on the official website of the Palace complex. Taking photos and selfies is allowed, but without flashes or tripods. No smoking!!! You can eat and drink only in certain specially designated places.

The first visitors are allowed in here at 8.30 am. In winter, the facility closes at 21.30, and in summer at 23.30.

As usual, the visit is possible with a guide or on your own. This also affects the cost of tickets.

Bottom line

No matter what you call her, architectural masterpiece Islamic masters or an outstanding monument of Moorish architecture - in any case, this is a landmark of amazing beauty. Her fame has long gone beyond the borders of Granada and Spain. Could the last rulers of the Muslim dynasty in Granada have imagined that their home (roughly speaking) would be admired by millions of foreigners today? A seemingly ordinary fortress and palace complex for that time, centuries later, having experienced prosperity and ruin, it became an unsurpassed property not only of the Spaniards, but of all mankind. Not for the sake of a nice word, I’m saying all this now. This beauty is difficult to describe, it needs to be seen. This is what I encourage you to do with all my story about the Alhambra.

The architectural and park ensemble of the Alhambra includes a fortress, palaces and gardens of the Moorish rulers. This complex is recognized the highest achievement of Muslim architects in Western Europe. Millions of tourists from all over the world come here every year to visit the museum of Islamic art and culture.

The Alhambra is located in southern Spain on top of a rocky plateau in the eastern part of Granada. Poets of the Middle Ages called this structure "emerald pearl", highlighting the dramatic structures against the backdrop of blue skies, green forests and the white snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada.

From Arabic the name "Alhambra" is literally translated as "red castle". According to one version, the castle got its name because of the red flame of the torches that illuminated the long-term construction site. The second version connects the name with the color of clay dried by the sun.

History of the Alhambra

Construction of the Alhambra began during the conquest of the Iberian Peninsula by Muslims in the 8th century. During the reign of the Nasrid dynasty from 1230 to 1492, Granada was the capital of the Emirate of Granada.

Having conquered sunny lands Spain, the Moorish emirs decided to create a piece of heaven on earth- this is how the Alhambra arose, surrounded by the shady gardens of Granada. For many years it served as the residence of many emirs.

The extensive complex at that time included warehouses, baths, residential buildings, mosques, gardens and cemeteries, surrounded by a fortress wall with towers. The palaces of the Alhambra that have survived to this day mainly date back to the 14th century.

From the inside, the complex is a harmonious combination of numerous graceful arches over ponds and canals, terraces and courtyards with fountains, water cascades, carved patterned windows, vaults, slender columns and the picturesque gardens of the Alhambra. All this marvelous splendor is decorated with carved patterns on wood and stone, colorful mosaics, fancy Arabic script, ceramic tiles and floral patterns.

Water and light play a major role in the overall composition of the Alhambra. The sun's rays are reflected in the canals and sparkle in the splashes of fountains and cascades that fill the reservoirs. All this splendor is buried in the greenery of cypress alleys, orange trees and bright colors all kinds of colors.

Water was the most valuable resource for the Moors, as reflected by the inscription preserved on the fountain in the lion courtyard: “Look at the water and look at the pond, and you will not be able to decide whether the water is calm or marble flowing.” The reservoirs and canals of the Alhambra were filled with melt water from the mountain .

Get to the Alhambra maybe on the way , through the park area on the slope of Cuesta de Gomerez between the Gate of Justice and the Pomegranate Gate. During the reign of the Moors, the Gate of Justice was the main entrance to the Alhambra Palace.

A huge gate in the shape of a horseshoe greets visitors with an inscription in Arabic: “Praise be to God. There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet. There is no other authority but God's."

Alhambra architecture

The Alhambra architectural complex consists of many rooms, towers, courtyards and passages. Each element is unique and has its own purpose. Many of the names speak for themselves: "Courtyard of Lions" so named because of the 12 lions decorating the fountain.

"Hall of Two Sisters" got its name from two huge white marble slabs built into the floor. The stucco decoration and tiles of the Hall of the Two Sisters are perhaps the most impressive sight in the entire Alhambra. The hall has the largest Arabic stalactite vault. It is made in the form of a honeycomb with approximately 5000 cells.

"Myrtle courtyard" decorated with evergreen myrtle trellises.

The “Chamber of Ambassadors” was built for palace celebrations and ceremonies. The high dome of the chamber is decorated with a shimmering star pattern.

The easternmost part of the Alhambra Palace is occupied by defensive tower(Torre de las Damas) with a small mosque, an adjacent vaulted hall and a swimming pool. The remaining towers also deserve special attention.

Stands out sharply from the general background Palace of Kalos V. This is explained by the fact that the palace on the territory of the Alhambra was built at a later time. The order to build the palace was given by the Roman King Charles V in the 16th century. At the center of the square structure lies a circular courtyard, flanked by Tuscan columns on the lower floor and an Ionic colonnade on the upper floor. Today, the palace hosts music and dance performances. Interior Palace of Carlos V is given over to the Museum of Fine Arts of Granada and the Archaeological Museum of the Alhambra.

Tickets to the Alhambra

You can visit the Alhambra in one of three periods: in the morning (from 8.30 to 14.00), in the afternoon (from 14.00 to 18.00) or in the evening (from 22.00 to 23.30 in the summer from March 15 to October 14, in the winter from 20.00 to 21.30). Tickets are sold for one of the visiting periods, and you need to come during this period.

Tickets are available buy at the entrance to the complex both in cash at the box office and by non-cash payments in terminals. Since tickets purchased here are only valid on the day of purchase, it is better to arrive in advance.

Tickets are available order by phone La Caixa jar: +34958926031 , if calling from abroad, or 902888001 for a call from Spain. Through the Internet tickets can be ordered on the official website www.alhambra-tickets.es

Ticket prices to the Alhambra

General admission ticket - 14 €

Child ticket (from 12 to -15 years old) — 8 €

Children under 12 years old - the entrance is free

Adults over 65 and EU pensioners - 9 €

Persons with disabilities - 8 €

Evening visit - 8 €

You can also book a guided tour at a cost 55 €. A tour of the Alhambra complex lasts about 3 hours. The average length of the route is 3.5 kilometers.