The Alhambra By: Mollie White

Interesting Facts About The Alhambra. The complete name of Alhambra is "Qal'at al-Hambra", which means "The Red Fortress". Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex situated on the southeastern border of the city of Granada, Spain. Alhambra is perched on top of hill al-Sabika, along the left bank of River Darro. The strategic location of Alhambra allows a view over the whole city as well as the meadow (la Vega). Constructed by the Nasrid rulers of Granada, Alhambra was initially intended to serve as a military fortress.

History The history of the Alhambra is linked with the geographical place where it is located: Granada. On a rocky hill that is difficult to access, on the banks of the River Darro, protected by mountains and surrounded by woods, among the oldest quarters in the city, the Alhambra rises up like an imposing castle with reddish tones in its ramparts that prevent the outside world from seeing the delicate beauty they enclose.

When was the Alhambra built? The Alhambra was first mentioned during the reign of Abdullah Ibn Muhammad (888-912) when it was referred to as a primitive small  red castle where the Arabs sought refuge after being defeated in one of their battles with the Maladies. It was then largely abandoned until the 11th century when it was rebuilt in order to protect a Jewish settlement on the Sabika hill. Major reconstruction, however, was undertaken during the Nasrid.The Nasrid dynasty ruled Granada between 1232-1492. They were responsible for many of the palaces in the Alhambra. dynasty (1212-1492) and it is this that we can see today. Serious work on the Alhambra began in 1238 under the command of Sultan Muhammad Ibn Nasr and in only one year, the ramparts had been completed, water had been brought from the river and a water channel built.

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