At a glance
- Era
- The Mongol and Post-Mongol Era
- Region
- al-Andalus & Europe
- Identifiers
- Wikidata
- Review
- Draft Completeness 1/5 · Help complete it
In space
Map: Natural Earth, public domain · places and route from the graph
The Alhambra is a magnificent palace upon the hills of Granada, with flowing fountains and walls adorned with beautiful calligraphy.
The Alhambra is an enchanting royal palace-fortress in Granada built by the Nasrid sultans. It is famous for the Court of the Lions with its graceful marble columns, the lush flowing gardens of the Generalife, and plaster walls carved with Arabic poetry, Qur'anic verses, and the motto 'There is no victor but God'.
Storytellers (10–12) read the Explorers text, then cross to the Scholars text.
The renowned palatial fortress complex overlooking Granada, constructed by the Nasrid sultans beginning in the 7th century AH (13th century CE) under Muhammad I (Ibn al-Ahmar). Standing as the most complete and breathtaking surviving Islamic palatine ensemble in Europe, it comprises the Alcazaba fortress, the Comares Palace, the Court of the Lions, and the Generalife summer palace. It exemplifies supreme artistic mastery through reflective pools, flowing fountains, intricate muqarnas vaulting, polychrome tilework (zellij), and stucco epigraphy bearing the iconic Nasrid motto: 'Wa la ghaliba illa Allah'.
Overview
The Alhambra is a fortress in Granada. Al-Maqqari, relaying Ibn Khaldun, reports that Ibn al-Ahmar built the fortress as his residence when he took control of Granada in 635 AH. 2
The seat of the Nasrid rulers
The Alhambra became the palace and first capital of the Banu Nasr. Yusuf I, al-Ghani bi-llah, built its fine palaces, which al-Maqqari describes as the centre of their rule and the crowning of their buildings. 3
The surrender
Their last king, Abu Abd Allah Muhammad, handed the Alhambra over to the Christians on 2 Rabi al-Awwal 897 AH, after they had taken about five hundred of Granada's notables as security. The Christian king renewed its palaces and visited them by day, sleeping in his camp at night until he was sure of safety, and then he entered. 3
What is not covered here
The data contains no architectural description of the palace and no building dates beyond those given above. An additional source is needed.
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Connections
- Located in
- Granada
- Founded by
- أبو عبد الله ابن الأحمر سلطان الأندلس
People and things also explored
Foundations of the Alhambra· The breach of the Granada terms and the revolt of the Alpujarras· The surrender of Granada and the Christian entry into the Alhambra· The great battle of Granada, 663· Ibn Jubayr sets out from Granada· Ibn Jubayr returns to Granada· Expulsion of the Moriscos from al-Andalus· Ibn al-Ahmar takes Granada
Sources
- Nafh al-Tib min Ghusn al-Andalus al-Ratib — al-Maqqari , p. 484, 523-527
- Nafh al-Tib min Ghusn al-Andalus al-Ratib — al-Maqqari , p. 484
- Nafh al-Tib min Ghusn al-Andalus al-Ratib — al-Maqqari , p. 523-527
Cite this page
islam.museum contributors. “The Alhambra”. islam.museum, https://islam.museum/en/building/alhambra/. CC BY-SA 4.0. Last updated 2026-10-25.