The most perfect building of the complex is the Hall of the Two Sisters. It has two slabs of snow-white marble built into the floor. The dome is created in the form of honeycombs, consisting of 5000 cells. According to legend, two Christian sisters lived here. Imprisoned in the hall, separated from their beloved, they died of anguish.

Opposite the Hall of the Two Sisters is the Hall of Abensekhav (the painting in this hall can be seen in the photo on the left). The father of Boabdil, the last ruler of Granada, summoned them to this hall in 1482 to remove his son's rivals who claimed the throne. The executioner, who was waiting in the hall, executed 37 people from the Abensserach family: the path to the throne was free. Rust spots in the central fountain are associated with this event. The honeycomb dome resembling a star stands out in particular.

In 1526, on the east side of Plaza los Algibes, the palace of Charles V was built. The construction was not completed due to a revolt of the Moriscos. Created in the Renaissance style by the architect Pedro Machuca, the palace stands out from the rest of the buildings. Construction was carried out right up to 1957, so elements of different eras can be traced in the palace. In the form of a square with a round courtyard, it has two floors.

The abundance of towers, halls, rooms for transition from one building to another, reservoirs, parks amazes with engineering innovations, architectural fantasy and beauty. It is impossible to describe what cannot be described. The miracle of miracles surprised and will surprise everyone who visited this complex and those who only heard or read about it.

Is it possible to see everything?

It is impossible to see all the halls of the Alhambra in one day, and the buildings are all kinds of variations of the same architectural solutions. Having wandered, always with a guide, through the halls, rooms, which were described above, admiring the panoramic view from the towers, visit the museums: the Museum of Fine Arts and the Alhambra Museum. They are located in the building of the palace of Charles V.

The Alhambra Museum is located on the ground floor; it impresses with unique exhibits of Spanish, Arab cultures, exhibits located in the palaces of the Alhambra. The famous acquisition of the museum is the "Vase of Gazelles", described in all books on art.

If you are a connoisseur of painting, then visiting the Museum of Fine Arts on the second floor will impress you. The museum presents a rich exhibition of works by Spanish artists, other famous painters, such as Pablo Picasso. You can visit the museum throughout the week, except Sunday.

What can overshadow the journey to the pinnacle of beauty? (advice for tourists)

When visiting such a voluminous monument of architecture, think over the small details that can become a big problem and ruin your vacation.

Buy tickets in advance, order the services of a guide. Do not be stingy, let your excursion cost more than expected, but you will see and hear a lot of things that you didn’t even know about;

Take a closer look at the GRANADA CARD, you can save a lot with it;

You will have to walk a lot, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes. Don't hesitate to take it with you more water. It is not allowed to drink from the reservoirs on the territory of the complex. And thirst will haunt and near the fountains. Don't forget the scorching sun overhead if you're traveling in the summer. A headdress will not be superfluous;

Going on a journey, remember the folk wisdom: "He who gets up early, God gives to him." By leaving early, save time contemplating the beauties of the fortress. The queues will have to stand rather big;

The main thing is to take with you patience, good mood, positive attitude towards other people's wealth.

Interesting excursions to the Alhambra, and read our interesting articles about holidays in Spain ( links below).

- This is a fortress-castle of the times of Moorish domination in Spain. A delightful architectural complex, after restoration in the 19th-20th centuries, was transformed into one of the most famous Spanish sights.

(Alhambra) is a masterpiece of Moorish architecture and is of interest to tourists from all over the world. Every year, the oldest castle in Granada is visited by more than two million travelers.

History of the Alhambra in Granada

On the hill where the Alhambra in Granada is now located, there was an ancient dilapidated fortress. In the annals for the first time it is mentioned in 889. Only in the XI century, the citadel was attached to the medina - a quarter that was able to exist separately from the city during the blockade.

In 1238, Muhammad ibn Nasr, Caliph of Granada, chose the Alhambra as his residence. He ordered that the palace be fortified. This is how the towers of Ommazha and Observation Tower appeared. His successors, Muhammad II and Muhammad III, continued what had been started. During the reign of the Muslim emirs, the river direction around the hill underwent a change. And in the vacated territory, warehouses and bathhouses appeared, with the help of which it was possible to wait out a long blockade.

The Alhambra fortress became a real palace and a rich royal residence in the 14th century under Emir Yusuf I, and then his successor, Muhammad V. During their reign, Granada was built Palace of Lions, new gates and baths, and the walls were decorated with carved ornaments on plaster.

After the reconquista in 1492, Granada and the Iberian Peninsula were liberated from Moorish rule. And the Alhambra was already transformed by representatives of the Spanish monarchy. In the 16th century, Charles V became the owner of a personal palace built on its territory - for which some of the original buildings were demolished. Damage was also caused to the Alhambra ensemble itself, as many decorative elements were lost or deliberately destroyed.

The desire to exterminate Islam in the guise of a palace led to the fact that even decorative plaster was painted over. And one of the buildings was rebuilt into a palace with Italian features. The restoration of the Alhambra left to collapse began in the 19th century. But the result was not very successful.

In the next 60 years, the dynasty of architects J. Osorio took up a peculiar reconstruction of the Alhambra Palace in Granada. But much for the image of the castle was simply invented. Therefore, in the 20th century, the architect-restorer Leopoldo Balbas needed to correct the mistakes of his predecessors based on a thorough study of historical documents.

What to see in the Alhambra

Today's Alhambra in Granada is an architectural and park complex with a fortress, palaces (they house museums) and gardens. The Alhambra is divided into several spaces corresponding to the stages of its transformation.

The oldest part of the Alhambra - Alcazaba (name in Arabic of the ruler's reinforced city residence) at first it was the residence of the first caliphs from the Nasrid clan. Then it served as a military citadel of the complex, and the caliphs settled in the newly built palace.

In the Alcazaba, the towers remained intact:

• Destroyed and Honorary towers that stand in front of the entrance to the fort.
• The broken tower, so named because of the crack that cut it from top to bottom. In the middle niche of the structure lie the cores.
• Ommazha - a 26 m high tower partially served as a prison and a food warehouse.
• The four-story Watch Tower, whose height is 26.8 m. It is decorated with arches mounted on pylons. The bell on its western façade was restored after being struck by lightning in 1882.
• Cubic and Semicircular, on which observation platforms are located.

The Armory of the Alcazaba contains the foundations of the barracks for the military, the remains of a water tank and the entrance to the underground prison.

The Nasrid Palace consists of three large complexes.

• Meshuar is a building for receptions and courts.
• The Palace of Comares is the government residence of the caliph. The walls of the building are lined with tiles. Together with filigree wall carvings, a wonderful atmosphere is created here. In the Myrtle Courtyard in the Nasrid Palace, a reservoir is equipped, bordered by a hedge of myrtle.
• The Palace of Lions with a lion courtyard was the chambers of Caliph Mohammed V. The style of the building shows features of Christian art. The courtyard with a fountain, surrounded by 12 sculptures of the kings of the forests, is surrounded by arches with 124 pylons. The entrance hall to the Palace of Lions, the Hall of Stalactites and the luxurious texture of the castle walls with inscriptions from the Koran preserve the Moorish style of architecture. Hall of the Boat in the Palace of the Lions - with walls decorated with stucco decorations depicting the emblem of the Nasrids. Mozarab bowls and muqarnas (cellular vaults) also serve as decor. At the entrance to the Hall of the Abenserrachs there are two arches with a transition between them. The hall walls are decorated with arches and tiles in the Renaissance style, and the pylons are made of blue beams. Painted ceilings and cellular vaulting add beauty to the space.

The building in the style of the Italian Renaissance took a long time to build and got its current look in the 20th century. The first floor houses the Alhambra Museum, which exhibits artifacts found by archaeologists during excavations. The second floor of the castle is equipped as the Museum of Fine Arts of Granada. The Temple of Santa Maria has been located near the Palace of Charles V since 1618, when its construction was completed on the site of the previous mosque. The castle has a Round Court, its diameter is 30 meters.

Upper Alhambra in Granada

This part of the attraction mainly consists of gardens planted where the city block once was. It is worth mentioning the gardens of Adarve, Partal and Generalife (the latter with the official country residence of the kings of the same name).

Useful information about the Alhambra

6 interesting features of the attraction

1. Alhambra means "red castle" in Arabic. According to some reports, this name was inspired by the similarity with the tonality of building clay, dried under the sun. According to another version, the “red flames of torches” that illuminated the castle during the periods of construction gave this name to the attraction.
2. Filled with eloquence and the names of the buildings of the Alhambra. So, the Hall of the Two Sisters got its name due to the 2-dimensional slabs of white marble built into the floor.
3. The poets of the Middle Ages presented the Alhambra in their works as an "emerald pearl", emphasizing its beauty in the conditions of the greenery of forest plants, the blueness of the sky and the snow-covered mountains of the Sierra Nevada.
4. In the church of Santa Maria, the first liturgy was held after the deliverance of the city from the Moors.
5. The Hall of the Abenserrachs in the Palace of the Lions in the middle has a marble shell with rust-like stains. According to legend, they arose shortly after the guillotining of all the rulers from the Abenserrach dynasty.
6. The Comares Tower behind the Myrtle Courtyard is the tallest of its kind in the Alhambra. It reaches a height of 45 m.

The price includes a visit Alcazaba, Nasrid Palace and Upper Alhambra. Entry to the Palace of Charles V, the Alhambra Museum and the Muslim Bath is free for all.

Tickets to the Alhambra better to buy in advance. IN tourist season Tickets for the current and upcoming dates may not be available. The average time to visit the Alhambra is 3 hours.

When buying tickets, you must select the date and time of your visit. If you do not arrive at the appointed time, then the tickets will be lost, while cost is non-refundable. You can buy tickets online or check their availability on the official website: https://tickets.alhambra-patronato.es/

Other ticket options for the Alhambra:

• Visiting the Alhambra without the Nasrid Palace: 7 euros
• Night visit to the Nasrid Palaces: 8 euros
• Night visit to the Gardens and Generalife: 5 euros
• Alhambra visit without Nasrid Palace + Night visit to Nasrid Palace: 14 euros (for two consecutive days)
• Alhambra visit + Rodriguez Acosta Foundation: 17 euros

How to get to the Alhambra:

• Walking distance from Plaza Nueva along the historical beautiful streets (about 1150 m to the entrance to the Alhambra)
• Walking from the slope Cuesta del Rey Chico between the walls of the citadel and beautiful panoramas
  (about 860 m to the entrance to the Alhambra)
• By bus: line C30, C32, C35
• By car: Via Ronda Sur (A-395) of the city, as private vehicles are not allowed to access the Alhambra from the city center

The Alhambra is an architectural treasure of Spain and one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in the world. This majestic palace complex, towering over the city of Granada on the hill of La Sabica, was the last refuge of the Muslim rulers of Spain - the Nasrid dynasty (1230-1492).

View of the Alhambra from Albaycin Hill

Outside, the huge fortress-palace looks very impressive and gives the impression of a formidable military bastion. However, this impression is deceptive. Inside the complex are exquisite palaces and gardens of Arab rulers, entering which visitors find themselves in a world of harmony and dreams. The Alhambra is a characteristic example of the so-called Muslim "hidden architecture", which forms a zone of habitation inaccessible to a stranger. From the outside, it is impossible to evaluate a building built according to these principles: the most beautiful is hidden inside and is visible only to residents and guests. In the Alhambra, what from the outside seems to be a cluster of towers is in reality a miracle of thoughtful planning, the embodiment of ingenious engineering and fantastic beauty of decoration and decoration.

The construction of the fortress began in the middle of the 13th century and continued for 150 years. The foundation stone of the Alhambra was laid by order of Muhammad I ibn Nasr, who bore the nickname "Al-Ahmar" (Redhead). Having captured Granada in 1238 as a result of an internal internecine war, he began the construction of a citadel on the site of an old Arab fortress. The building was called the Alhambra (from the Arabic الحمراء), that is, “red” - this color had a material consisting of a mixture of stones, sand and clay and mined right under the feet of the builders, on the hill of La Sabica.

The first one was built (Torre de la Vela) or Lookout Tower (also known as Watchtower). Its height is 27 meters. From three sides, the tower is protected by steep slopes, which gave it huge advantages in defense. In the past, this building was also the center of the intelligence network created by Muhammad and the end point of the chain of signal towers. From the very Torre de la Vela offers a magnificent view of Granada.

Torre de la Vela

View of Granada from the Torre de la Vela

Torre de la Vela

Torre de la Vela

Behind the tower is a fortress, where the barracks of the military who defended the Alhambra were located, and a medina (city), in which the people who served the fortress lived. In addition to their houses in the medina, there were a bakery, a tannery and warehouses that ensured the livelihoods of the inhabitants of the medina. During the heyday of the Alhambra, Alcasba was inhabited by about 5 thousand inhabitants.

The heart of the Alhambra is (Los Palacios Nazaries), which belonged to the rulers of the Nasrid clan in the Granada Caliphate. The palaces, each unique, were built one after the other by different emirs. Each emir wanted to surpass his predecessor, thereby leaving a mark on history. Thus, a complex of interconnected buildings was formed, which is considered one of the most refined, beautiful and sophisticated palace ensembles in the world. Nasrid palaces are conditionally divided into three parts: Meshwara, Komares Palace and the Lions Palace.

The Nasrid Palaces as seen from the Generalife

Upon entering the Nasrid Palaces, the visitor will first enter the oldest part of the complex called Meshwar, in another transcription - Mechouar or Mexuar(Mexuar). The name comes from the word maswar - the place where the council of ministers sits - "shura". Meshwar consists of several rooms and miniature courtyards. Rectangular gate Meshwara hall (Sala de Mexuar)- the first hall of the palace, where, according to some sources, the royal court was supposedly located, and according to others - a place of receptions and meetings. The upper part of the room is decorated with carved stucco (gypsum panels), and marble columns with Arabic-style capitals support a beautifully carved ceiling made of cedar. On the wall is made in the technique "zellige" colored mosaic in the form of arabesques. Under the Christian kings, the hall was rebuilt and served as a chapel, but then it was restored, partially returning its original appearance.

Adjacent to the Meshwar Hall is a small room overlooking the Albaicin area. It is assumed that this room was a chapel. Its walls are covered with quotes from the Koran. In the eastern part of the room there is a mihrab - a niche indicating the direction to Mecca, towards which every praying Muslim turns.

This is followed by one of the most interesting chambers of the Alhambra - the courtyard (Cuarto Dorado) or the courtyard of the Gilded Room. This is a charming courtyard with a fountain in the center. On the southern facade, the courtyard has double windows, which are closed with wooden bars ( "mashrabiya") created with pinpoint accuracy. The "Verses of the Throne" from the Koran are inscribed on the facade, which leads some scholars to believe that Cuarto Dorado was the main entrance to the palace.

The next part of the palace was the official residence of the ruler. It was built under Yusuf I and received the name Palace of Comares (Palacio de Comares). She starts with myrtle courtyard (Patio de los Arrayanes)- one of the most famous places Alhambra. It captivates visitors with its sophistication and simplicity of lines. Inside a rectangular courtyard with an area of ​​36.6 by 23.5 meters there is a pond (34.7 by 7.2 meters). It is framed with marble slabs, and water flows into it from round fountains on both sides. Through the efforts of architects, water is supplied in such a way as not to disturb the even surface of the pond, and its barely audible murmur, which delights the ear, makes a pleasant impression. The pond itself was intended for breeding goldfish in it.

Behind the myrtle courtyard, on the north side, rises Comares Tower (Torre de Comares)- the highest among the towers of the Alhambra. Its height reaches 45 meters. It houses the most majestic and central place in the palace complex Hall of Ambassadors (Salon de Embajadores). The dimensions and interior of this room were supposed to thrill visitors. During the reign of Yusuf I, the power of the Spanish Catholic kings became stronger, and when building the Hall of Ambassadors, the emir set himself the task of stunning and impressing his foreign guests, leaving power and impregnability in their memory protective structures Alhambra. The interior of the tower is a miniature model of the universe, in the center of which sat the ruler of the Granada Caliphate. The fantastic cedar ceiling of the hall, consisting of 8 thousand elements, symbolizes the seven heavens of the Muslim paradise. The walls are decorated with Arabic script praising Allah.

To the east of the Myrtle Yard are located Baths Comares (Baños de Comares). The premises of the hammams (so baths are called in Arabic) have hemispherical roofs with holes in the form of stars. Baths were heated by hot air, which flowed through pipes laid inside the walls and under the floor. Behind the wall was a cauldron in which water was heated for the baths. The floor and walls are decorated with elegant mosaics.

Palace Lions (Palacio de los Leones)- These are the private chambers of the ruler and his harem. It was erected during the reign of Emir Mohammed V. This is one of the most beautiful monuments of Arab-Islamic art. His heart is (Patio de los Leones), striking the viewer with its harmony, beauty and sophistication. Along its perimeter there is a colonnade of thin single and double columns, and on the east and west sides there are two graceful pavilions. An amazing sense of proportion and harmony is created thanks to the most accurate mathematical calculations, during which the Arab masters relied on the experience of antiquity.

In the center of the courtyard there is a fountain with sculptures of 12 lions, on the backs of which rests a bowl decorated with poems by the Arab poet Ibn Zamrak, praising the Emir: “God bless, who gave Imam Muhammad an abode, beauty surpassing others. Here is a garden containing marvels of art, the like of which God has forbidden to recognize anywhere else. Look at the solid mass of pearls, illuminating everything around and penetrating the air with a hail of tiny crystals ... ". Under the caliphs, a garden was laid out on the site of the courtyard. It was a place for the ruler's harem to walk.

The chambers of the palace, which the visitor enters from the Lion's Courtyard, are decorated with an amazing invention of Arab architects - a stalactite vault, the nature of which is very difficult to understand, just as it is difficult to assess its real proportions. During the day, along with the change in lighting, the appearance of the ceiling also changes, creating the illusion of movement. The most complex construction is based on precise mathematical calculations and philosophical ideas of Arab scientists.

On the south side of the Lion's Courtyard is Abenserrach Hall (Sala de los Abencerrajes), named after the tragic event - the slanderous murder of 37 people from the Abenserrach family. This building has an unusual dome in the form of an octagonal star, decorated with stalactites. Soft light pours in through the windows in the dome.

Hall of kings(Sala de los Reyes) is located on the east side of the Lion's Courtyard. The ceilings of the room are decorated with paintings depicting scenes of a lively conversation between ten people in Arabic clothes and ladies watching a jousting tournament. It is assumed that these paintings were made under the Catholic kings.

To the north of the Lion's Yard is Hall of the Two Sisters(Sala de las Dos Hermanas), so named because of the two identical slabs on the marble floor. The ceiling of the hall is decorated with a beautiful stalactite vault, and on the walls in round fragments of stucco (gypsum) decor, poems by the poet Ibn Zamrak are carved, glorifying the palace of Emir Muhammad V.

Poems of the poet Ibn Zamrak on the wall in the Hall of the Two Sisters

Passing from the hall in a northerly direction, the visitor enters a small hall with a double window. (Mirador de Daraxa) overlooking the Darahi garden. It is believed that the women of the harem rested in this small elegant room.

At the exit of the Nasrid Palaces is located (Torre de las Damas)- a small building with a tower, located opposite the pond. This building is what remains of the ruined Partal Palace. The ceiling of this structure was taken to Berlin by a German banker who owned this site in the 19th century. The ceiling is now on display at the Museum of Islamic Art, part of the Pergamon Museum in Berlin.

(Palacio de Carlos V), located next to the Nasrid Palace, was begun in the 14th century and completed only in the 20th. Inside it has a round courtyard with a diameter of 30 meters. On the ground floor of this building is Alhambra Museum (Museo de la Alhambra), which presents archaeological finds found during the excavations of the Alhambra. On the second floor is located Fine Arts Museum of Granada (Museo de Bellas Artes de Granada).

Above the Alhambra is the former summer residence of the emirs of Granada - the Generalife Palace and Gardens, which are described in a separate section.

From the side, the best view of the Alhambra opens from the Albaicín area. On the hill there is a special Observation deck. In winter and spring, the view is especially beautiful due to the fact that the mountains of the Sierra Nevada, located behind the Alhambra, are covered with snow.

Tickets to the Alhambra.

The Alhambra is one of the most visited places in Spain. If you are traveling during the tourist season, it is best to buy tickets in advance so as not to stand in long queues and get into the Nasrid Palaces, which can only be entered at a strictly defined time, which you specify when buying a ticket.

Tickets for the Alhambra can be purchased at www.alhambra-tickets.es (the official partner listed on the official website www.alhambra-patronato.es). Advance ticket sales are subject to an additional 1.3% fee. When buying at the box office or through the terminal on the day of visiting the Alhambra, the ticket price increases by 10%.

Types of tickets to the Alhambra:

General admission ticket: 13 euro. This ticket entitles you to visit the entire complex. It is necessary to keep it until the end of the visit to the Alhambra. At the entrance to the Nasrid Palaces and the residence of the Generalife there are additional turnstiles. When purchasing this ticket, you choose the time of your visit to the Nasrid Palaces. If you do not come to the Nasrid Palaces at the time stated on the ticket, the ticket will be canceled. Please note that it takes about 30 minutes to walk from the entrance to the Alhambra to the Nasrid Palaces.

Ticket to visit the Alhambra Gardens, Alcazaba and Generalife (Visit the Gardens, the Alcazaba fortress and Generalife): 7 euro. This ticket does not entitle you to see the most beautiful part of the Alhambra, the Nasrid Palaces.

Evening visit to the Nasrid Palaces ticket: 8 euro. In the evening, the palaces are beautifully illuminated. We recommend that if you have a few days in the Alhambra, visit the Nasrid Palaces both during the day and in the evening.

Ticket to visit the Generalife in the evening (Evening visit to the Generalife): 5 euros.

Blue subscription to the Alhambra bypass (Blue circular pass):15 euros. Entitles you to an evening visit to the Nasrid Palaces, and the next day to a visit to the Alhambra, Alcasba and Generalife Gardens,

Red subscription to bypass the Alhambra (Red circular pass): 100 euro. Entitles you to 15 visits to the Alhambra during the year. It includes 10 day and 5 night visits.

Be sure to take with you on your trip the bank card that you used to pay when buying tickets via the Internet!

After buying tickets via the Internet, before visiting the Alhambra, you must definitely get these tickets at special terminals located in the pavilion next to the ticket office at the main entrance. Each terminal (look at the labels on them) issues a certain type of ticket. If you bought tickets with a visit to the entire Alhambra complex, including the Nasrid Palaces, then look for the terminal with the inscription: Visita general (General visit). In the terminal, you must select the option "print already purchased tickets". Next, the machine will ask you to insert a bank card with which you paid for tickets via the Internet. After that, the machine will give you your tickets, which must be kept until the end of your visit to the Alhambra.

Terminal for obtaining a ticket General visit

At the entrance to the palace complex, you can pick up the Alhambra guide map free of charge.

It is best to visit the Alhambra during the tourist season in the early morning or evening to avoid being close to large tourist groups. The entrance to the Nasrid Palaces is located near the palace of Charles V.

There is a luggage storage at the main entrance to the Alhambra (Consigna/Lockers), which is open from 7.30 to 18.30 from November to February, and from 7.30 to 20.30 from March to October.

The climb up the mountain on which the Alhambra stands is quite difficult. We recommend that you get to the entrance to the palace complex by bus. White and red minibus number 30 goes along the main street Gran Via and across the square Plaza Nueva.

Bus number 30 to the Alhambra

Alhambra is a fortress-palace of the Moorish period, an attraction indicated in all tourist routes in Spain. Is in . Currently, the fortress is one of the most visited museums; about 2 million tourists visit it every year.

The history of the appearance of the Alhambra (Alhambra)

On the site of the real palace there was a dilapidated ancient fortress, the first memories of which were dated 889. During this period, in the Emirate of Cordoba there was Civil War. The local ruler was hiding from trouble in the Granada citadel.

The organizer of the rebellion, Muhammad ibn Nasr, in 1238 seized part of the power in the state and founded. He chose the Alhambra as his residence, and appointed Granada the capital of the new state.

The ruler immediately began to strengthen the castle in Granada. Walls were built, climbed towers: Lookout, Ommazha and Heirs of the World. The next rulers Muhammad II and Muhammad III expanded the boundaries of the residence. The course of the river surrounding the hill has been changed. In the vacant place, baths and warehouses were built, where one could sit out a long siege.

In the XIV century, Yusuf I and Muhammad V took up the global restructuring of the fortress, gradually turning it into a real palace. At this time, new gates were built, baths and the walls were decorated in oriental style. Subsequent rulers changed little in the beauty of the famous palace. Today, the Alhambra has a number of attractions that tourists should definitely see.

Nasrid Palaces (Palacios Nazaries)

The Nasrid palaces are considered the heart of the Alhambra. They were owned by rulers from the Nasrid family. Each of the palaces is unique in its beauty. Each emir tried to leave a mark on history, surpassing the capabilities of his predecessor. For several centuries, a complex of sophisticated, refined and beautiful buildings in the world has “grown”. Conventionally, the Nasrid palaces consist of three parts: Meshvara (Mexuar), the Comares Palace (Comares) and the Lions Palace (Leones).

Entering the palace complex, the visitor finds himself in the most ancient part Meshwara (Mexuar). The name means "the place where the council of ministers (shura) sits." Meshwara consists of several halls and small courtyards. In the first hall the royal court sat. The top of the room is decorated with carvings. The beautifully carved cedar ceiling is held up by marble columns. The walls are decorated with colorful mosaics in the form of arabesques. During the Christian period, the hall was a chapel, but after the restoration, it was almost completely returned to its original appearance.

A small room leads to the hall. It offers a wonderful view of Albasin. There used to be a chapel here. The walls of the room are covered with prayers from the Koran. On the east side of the room there is a niche pointing towards Mecca.

Another part of the Nasrid Palace was once the official residence of the ruler. It was erected during the reign of Yusuf I and named Palace of Comares (Torre de Comares). Attraction begins with myrtle courtyard, striking the eyes of visitors with the simplicity of lines and beauty. Inside there is a pond measuring 34.7 x 7.2 meters, framed on all sides by marble slabs. Water gets into it from round fountains, goldfish swim in the pond. The murmur of water soothes the hearing of visitors.

Behind the Myrtle courtyard is the highest of the towers - Comares.

She reaches a height 45 meters. Behind her was Hall of Ambassadors. It is the most luxurious room in the complex. The ceilings are 23 meters high and amaze with their beauty. As planned, the Hall was supposed to become the personification of the Universe, which is controlled by the Sultan. The palace is decorated with numerous patterns, stucco, Arabic inscriptions, clay carvings.

Palace of Lions (Palacio de los Leones)- was built during the reign of Muhammad V. The Sultan lived here with his family. Majestic arches are striking, the play of light and shadow imitates the movement of hanging stalactites. Ancient Arabic patterns are laid out of ceramic tiles. There is a starry ceiling in one of the halls of the Lvov Palace.

There is a palace, in its center there is a fountain with 12 sculptures of lions. On their backs they hold a bowl on which are written verses of the Arab poet Ibn Zamrak with praises of the Emir. Along the perimeter of the territory there are thin, single and double columns. There are pavilions on the east and west sides.

During the caliphate, a garden was laid out on the site of the courtyard. Women from the harem walked along it.

Boat Hall

Passing from myrtle courtyard through an arch with stalactites, visitors enter the Boat Hall. In Arabic, the name sounds like "Sala de la Barca". Historians claim that the name comes from the word "al-baraka", which means "blessing" in Arabic. The walls of the hall are decorated with plaster moldings depicting the Nasrid coat of arms. The coat of arms reads the word "Blessing" and the motto of the Nasrids "Only the Lord is the winner."

Along the edges of the plinth are alcoves lined with tiles. The columns support scalloped semicircular arches. Mozarab shells and muqarnas act as decorations.

The Hall of the Abenserrach is opposite Hall of the Two Sisters. According to legend, all representatives of the Abenserrach family were beheaded in this place. In the center of the hall is a marble bowl, on which there are stains that look like rust. Legend claims that these are blood stains left after the execution.

At the entrance to the hall there are two arches separated by a corridor. The walls of the hall are decorated with arches, and the columns with blue capitals. The ceilings in the hall are painted. The walls are gypsum, decorated with panels with tiles made in the Renaissance style. Above the hall is a honeycomb vault of amazing beauty. The windows below the arch create low lighting and a fabulous atmosphere.

The official summer residence of Charles V of Habsburg was the Alhambra. The old palaces did not meet the requirements of the emperor, therefore, in the 16th century, the construction of a new castle began, which was later called the palace of Charles V.

The building was built in the style of the Italian Renaissance. The construction of the palace took a long time. In fact, it ended only in the twentieth century. Inside the building there is a small courtyard with a diameter of 30 m. On the ground floor of the building is the Alhambra Museum. It presents the finds of archaeologists that were found during the excavation of the sights. The second floor of the palace is dedicated to the Museum of Fine Arts of Granada.

Church of Santa Maria is located next to the palace of Charles V. It was built on the site of a former mosque in the period 1581 - 1618. The first mass after the liberation of the city from the Moors was held here.

Partal Gardens (Jardines del Partal)

The gardens of the Partal spread out from raud towers before ladies' tower. Plantings are broken in the form of ledges, they surround the royal palaces. At one time, the gardens served as a walking place for the first persons of the Caliphate. The name of the building Partal - means Portico, formed with the help of five arches. Their curves are displayed in the smooth surface of the pond, complementing the unusually picturesque picture. Inside Partali there is a large observation deck.

Generalife

Generalife is called the High or Upper Garden. This place was the summer residence of the Nasrids. The Generalife Gardens are located on the hill of Cerro del Sol. Garden and park complex belongs to the list world heritage UNESCO. It is the oldest Moorish garden that has survived to this day. The garden was created to recreate the images of paradise described in the Koran.

Upper Alhambra

At the end of Arab rule, the Alhambra area became a full-fledged part of the city, the medina . This included not only a palace with a fortress, but also a residential area. Representatives of the upper class, artisans who served the complex, lived in the Upper Alhambra. The quarter was separated from the citadel by a moat, part of which has been preserved to this day. The quarter is surrounded by a fortress wall with a large number of towers.

In the XVIII century the complex was abandoned and gradually began to collapse. In the 19th century, on the initiative of Spanish writers and artists, the reconstruction of the fortress began. It was carried out for six decades by a dynasty of artists. Historians have recognized it as not entirely successful. In the twentieth century, the architect Leopoldo Balbas decided to correct the mistakes of his predecessors. To do this, he studied historical documents and images of the Alhambra of past centuries.

Currently, the Alhambra is a palace and park complex with a fortress, museums, and gardens.

How to get to the Alhambra?

The Alhambra Castle is located on a mountain. You can get to it on foot, but the road will be about a kilometer long uphill. On hot summer days, this can be difficult, so you can take bus number 30 from the city to the Gates of Justice.

Attraction opening hours

Winter period (05.10 - 14.03):

• day visit: daily from 08:30 – 18:00;
• evening visit: Friday and Saturday from 20:00 - 21:30 hours.

Summer period:

• day visit: daily from 08:30 - 20:00 hours;
• evening visit: Tuesday - Saturday from 22:00 - 23:30 hours.

Ticket price

It is worth taking care of the purchase of entrance tickets in advance, since the access of visitors is limited to a certain number.

How to buy tickets.

1. On the day of the visit at the box office.
2. In online mode. The method saves time. It is allowed to purchase no more than 10 tickets at a time.
3. By phone at +34934923750 (08:00 - 24:00 hours).

Types of tickets and access to them:

• Alhambra General. With this type of ticket, you can visit all the sights of the Alhambra fortress.
• Dobla de Oro ticket- allows you to visit the Alhambra General, as well as the Moorish monuments in the Albaicín quarter.
• Alhambra and Rodriguez Acosta Foundation. Allows you to visit attractions in accordance with the Alhambra General ticket, as well as the fund of works by the artist Rodriguez Acosta.
• Alhambra Gardens, Generalife and the Alcazaba. With a ticket you can get access to all the monuments, except for the Nasrid palaces.
• Alhambra at Night Palaces. With a ticket you can get access only at night to the Nasrid Palaces. Entrance to the Generalife Gardens is not included.
• Alhambra Experiences- night tour of the Nasrid palaces and day tour of the Generalife Gardens.
• Alhambra at Night Generalife- night tour of the Generalife Gardens and the summer residence.

Prices

• Full ticket for a daytime session - 14 euros.
• For a night visit - 8 euros.
• Entrance to the Alhambra gardens only - 7 euros.
• Children under 12 years old - free of charge.

Audio guide in Russian - 6 euros.

How I was waiting for a meeting with the city of Granada and its heart - the fortress of Alhambra! The new Eighth Wonder of the World, after all! We are looking forward to...

But in this article there will be no detailed story about the architectural and park complex of the Alhambra and numerous photographs of the beautiful palaces of the citadel. I was very annoyed by the long queue that formed at the ticket office of the fortress, in which we “wonderfully” spent about two hours under the midday sun. In addition, we ran out of general tickets, leaving only the Generalife Gardens and the Alcazabu. And this is at the start of the season! We wasted the precious time we planned to spend visiting the Eighth Wonder of the World sites, but not standing in the crowd! Therefore, I will share general organizational information so that you can avoid our mistakes and prepare better 🙂 .

General information about the Alhambra fortress

So the Alhambra , in the lane from Arabic “red castle”) is a majestic architectural and park ensemble in the city of Granada in Spain, which has absorbed all the luxury of the Moorish style. general information about the Alhambra fortress.

On July 7, 2007, the New Seven Wonders of the World were chosen in Lisbon. The Alhambra was not included in this seven, but took the honorable eighth place 🙂.

From the history:this place has been inhabited since antiquity and was a fortified settlement (Medina). In the XIII century. Granada was captured by the Arab dynasty of the Nasrids. Since that time, the construction of palaces and fortresses began. The Nasrids ruled for about two and a half centuries. In 1492 Granada was conquered by the Catholic Monarchs. In 1812 the French destroyed some buildings, and in 1821. it made an earthquake. Restoration work began in the middle of the 19th century.

The composition of the architectural and park complex: The Alhambra is territorially divided into two main zones: the gardens of the Generalife and the fortress itself, the latter in turn includes the Alcazaba, the Upper Alhambra (Medina), the Nasrid Palaces (the Meshuara Building, the Kamares Palace and the Palace of the Lions), the Palace of Charles V, Partal, fortress towers and gates .

Ticket prices, opening hours and options for visiting the Alhambra Castle

All these factors are interconnected, therefore they are placed in the general section.

Pleasant facts: for kids under 12 years old, admission is free, benefits for children from 12 to 15 years old, students, pensioners of the European Union, people over 65 years old.

Visit options:

1. Day shift, two shifts.

· Morning (Mon-Sun, 08.30 - 14.00).

· Daytime (Mon-Sun, from October 15 to March 14: 14.00 - 18.00, from March 15 to October 14: 14.00 - 20.00).

The following types of tickets can be purchased for daytime in both shifts:

· General ticket - the right to visit the entire complex (price - 13 euros).

· Ticket to the Generalife Gardens and Alcazaba (price - 7 euros).

2. Evening (from October 15 to March 14: Fri-Sat, 20.00 - 21.30, from March 15 to October 14: Tue-Sat, 22.00 - 23.30).

The following types of tickets can be purchased for the evening (it is not possible to combine both visits):

· Ticket to the Nasrid Palaces (price - 8 euros).

· Ticket to the Generalife Gardens (price - 5 euros).

3. Special Subscriptions:

· Blue subscription (100 euros - 10 general and 5 evening visits within a year).

· Red subscription (15 euros - Nasrid Palace candles, the next day in the afternoon - Generalife Gardens and Alcazaba).

Ways to buy tickets to the Alhambra Palace

Advance booking (from 1 day to 3 months) is made:

1. in travel agencies.

2. At La Bank branches Caixa.

3. On the official website www.alhambra.org (supports Spanish, English, French, Italian and German).

4. On the website www.ticketmaster.es.

5. In the T ienda de la Alhambra store ”, address: city of Granada, st. Reyes Catholicos, 40.

Buying tickets on the day of your visit:

1. At the box office of the complex (only in cash, it is recommended to arrive early to stand in a long line and have time to purchase tickets before they are sold out).

2. At the vending machines in front of the entrance (only with a bank card, you will have to pay in excess of 10% service fee).

Need to know!!!

· First of all, I want to draw your attention to the fact that it is advisable to purchase tickets in advance, because. for such visitors, a separate line is formed, not commensurate with the crowd of tourists waiting to buy tickets directly at the box office of the Alhambra complex. And it’s not a fact that after standing in line for several hours, you will get tickets.

· Tickets are non-refundable!

· Entrance to the Nasrid Palaces is strictly at the time indicated on the ticket.

How to get to the Alhambra fortress

The Alhambra complex is located in the city of Granada in Andalusia in Spain. It is not possible to drive to the Alhambra from the city center by private car. Leaving the car, you can walk on foot, about a kilometer downhill. The road passes through the park. But by car you can get closer, bypassing the center, following the signs from the southern ring road. Parking near the ticket office, like most parking lots in Spain, is paid (1.7 euros / hour). Alhambra fortress coordinates: 37° 10 ´ 37 ´´ N, 3° 35 ´ 24 ´´ W

Alhambra palaces in Granada on the map of Spain:

Our short photo walk through the Alhambra fortress in Spain

And now a few photos of the Alhambra (unfortunately 🙁, without the Nasrid Palaces, which most of all attract tourists with their beauty).

Let's start with trophies - maps of the Alhambra fortress and tickets:

First we visited the Generalife Gardens - this isolated part of the Alhambra served as a resting place for the rulers:

From the gardens of the Generalife, you can see the fortress of the Alhambra, and that's where we're heading now:

Palace of Charles V:

View from the walls of the Alhambra:

Well, let's get on with the road! This region is home to the highest mountain range in continental Spain, the Sierra Nevada. highest point- Mount Mulasen (3478 m). So the landscapes behind the glass of the car raised the mood spoiled in the morning :):

Learned from mistakes at the Alhambra fortress in Granada

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