Alhambra

The Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex located on the hill overlooking Granada in southern Spain. The name derives from Arabic al-qal'a al-hamra, meaning "the Red Fortress" or "the Red Castle," a reference to the reddish hue of its walls and stones. It is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and stands as a major example of Islamic art and architecture in the Iberian Peninsula.

The site began as a small fortress in the 9th century and was expanded by the Nasrid dynasty in the 13th and 14th centuries into a grand royal residence and court. The Nasrid Palaces, including the Comares Palace and the Palace of the Lions, showcase sophisticated Moorish design, while the Generalife serves as a separate summer retreat with formal gardens and water features. After the Christian conquest of Granada in 1492, the Alhambra was used as a royal court, then as a military fortress and barracks, before being restored and opened to the public in the 19th century.

Architecturally, the Alhambra is celebrated for its intricate plasterwork, tilework, wood carvings, calligraphy, and muqarnas, all integrated with hydraulic features such as fountains, pools, and channels. A Renaissance addition, the Palace of Charles V, was constructed in the 16th century within the Alhambra complex, illustrating the later layering of styles on the site.

Today the Alhambra remains one of the best-preserved examples of Islamic architecture in the world and a major cultural landmark drawing visitors from around the globe.