The Palace is one of the highlight sites within the well-known Alhambra, Granada in Spain. It was the last palace of the Moorish States in Spain. From 8th century to the 14th century, Islamic Spain was the jewel in the Islamic world. What was created in Granada has a profound effect on the art of Islamic aa well as the art of Europe

1. Alhambra - Granada First created. 18 Dec 2007. Version 3.0.2 2 Mar 2012. London. Jerry Tse. Nasrid Palace All rights reserved. Rights belong to their respective owners. Available free for non-commercial and personal use.

2. History of Al Andalus and Moorish Spain Al-Andalus 1035 In 711, an invading force of Muslims made up of Arabs from Damascus and Berber from North Africa defeated the Visigoth of Spain. This gave rise to the most brilliant civilization of early medieval Europe. The Muslim settlers, the Moors, called Spain, Al Andalus. By 714, the Moors, were in control of all of Spain, except for a narrow strip along the north coast. A rich and powerful caliphate (a kind of Islamic Republic) was established in Cordoba. Mathematics, science, architecture and the decorative arts flourished. Together with Christian and Jews, they studies and translated the discoveries and the achievements of the Ancient Greek into books, which eventually found their ways into Italy and became the driving forces behind the Renaissance. As time went by the Cordoba caliphate broke up into smaller kingdoms, as the Christian north regained some of the lost territories (see map). In 1492, Ferdinand II and Isabella re-conquered Spain, by defeating the last of the Islamic kingdoms, Emirate of Granada. This ended over 700 years of Islamic rules in Spain. The last of the Islamic palace, the Nasrid Palace at Alhambra in Granada fell into the possession of the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand II and Isabella.

15. Wall Stucco

29. Patio de los Leones (Courtyard of the lions) has a fountain in the middle connecting to the surround rooms with water channels, help to cool the airs.

43. Wall Stucco pattern

46. History and Art of the Palace The palace is only a part of the Alhambra, which included other palaces, gardens and even a fortress. The palace was built in the 14C, before 1492, when emirate fell into the Spanish hands. Therefore the palace reflects the culture of the last century of Moorish rules. The palace is a testament of the skills of Muslim, Jew and Christian artisans, craftsmen and builders of the time. Horse-shoe arches, developed during the Islamic rules were widely used in particular around the courtyards. Stalactite-like lantern ceilings were used in several chambers. The lantern ceilings created drafts around fountains that help to cool the rooms There were extensive uses of stucco decorated with calligraphy and arabesques intricate geometric patterns.

47. Music – 2 nd movement from Concierto de Aranjuez (Adagio), by Joaquin Rodrigo (1901-1999) composed in 1939. He was blinded at the age of three. The End Alhambra All rights reserved. Rights belong to their respective owners. Available free for non-commercial and personal use.