Discover Spain - Alhambra - Part 6
THE TOWER AND GATE OF SEVEN SOILS
This is the door by which, according to legend, Boabdil, the last Nasrid king, has left the Alhambra. He would have ordered that it be closed forever. Having suffered greatly from the blasting of Napoleon's troops, who intended to make the Alhambra indefensible, the tower was fully restored thereafter. She is mentioned in many of the adventures of Washington Irving's "Alhambra Accounts".
THE GENERALIFE
The Generalife - Yannat al-arif-, at the time of the nasrids, is the garden city which the Muslim kings of Granada take advantage of to retire and rest. The most important part is constituted by its ornamental gardens, where kitchen gardens and architectures integrate harmoniously, on the edge of the Alhambra. Like the latter, it was declared a National Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Its construction began during the 12th and 14th centuries, in Arab Nasrid style, and it is located on the north side of the Alhambra.
THE PALACE OF CHARLES QUINT
Its name comes from the fact that it was made for the purpose of serving as a residence for the Emperor Charles, although there is no evidence that he ever lived there. It is located in front of the Nasrid Palace of Comares and represents a great contrast with the Islamic architecture of the rest of the enclosure. The square exterior, and the circular inner courtyard are a design of the Spanish architect Pedro Machuca. It is also surprising to see this design so early, rather close to Mannerism, in 1527 (year of construction), with its Doric and Ionic columns, its friezes bearing heads of bull (bucranes) of Greco-Roman tradition. In a certain way, Machuca repeats or anticipates certain architectural solutions of Mannerism in Italy, which can be explained by his long stay in this country and by his ability to develop with a certain inventiveness certain features of this nascent style. The construction was interrupted in the 17th century and finally ended in the 20th century.
Its facade is totally renaissance style, with a good part of bugnato style (external wall cladding style of buildings using the boss). On the main door, two statues of winged women bow to the pediment. On the sides, scenes of Hercules and large iron rings contribute to the decoration of the building.
THE CONVENT OF SAN FRANCISCO
This is the current Parador de Tourisme. It was formerly a noble house andalusí. After the conquest, it was given to the Franciscans who converted it into the first convent of Granada. The court is well preserved, as are the mocarabes, the balcony, the jealousy and the well (aljibe).
SECANO OR HIGH ALHAMBRA
The site is currently being searched. It was a noble area of the Andalusian village.
The ALCAZABA
The Alcazaba is the oldest building of the Alhambra. It constituted the military zone, center of defense and vigilance of the enclosure. The first Arab buildings date from the caliphate era (9th century) and expanded as Granada became a capital of the Kingdom of Taifas.
THE MAIN ELEMENTS OF THE ALCAZABA ARE:
1- The Terrace of the "Cube" of the Alhambra, a semicircular tower built around 1586 (renaissance), on an Islamic door. It is home to the Puerta de la Tahona and is nowadays a privileged terrace to contemplate the valley of Darro and the Albaicin opposite
2- The Garden of the Adarve (Round Road), created in the early sixteenth century by the Marquis de Mondéjar, while the fortress lost its defensive function. It is dominated by the Sultane Tower
3- The Gate of Weapons, a tower that seems to be leaning on the inner wall of the Alcazaba. It was the main entrance to the Alcazaba
4- The Vela Tower (watchtower), the largest defense tower of the military complex. By its height it dominates the whole plain of Granada. The founder of the Nasrid dynasty Muhammad ben Nasar Al-Ahmar seems to be at the origin of its construction
5- The Homage Tower, which stands on the highest part of the defense system. Six stories high, it is more than 22 meters high. The archaeological analysis of the materials compared to the remains of the base suggests that at the time of the caliphate, Al Ahmar would have rebuilt on the ruins of an older tower of the ninth century
6- The Broken Tower, whose name comes from a huge lizard on one of its sides.
Enjoy your Day !!!
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