Spain - Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzin, Granada

Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzin, Granada (1984, 1994)
Spain

Rising above the modern lower town, the Alhambra and the Albaycín, situated on two adjacent hills, form the medieval part of Granada. To the east of the Alhambra fortress and residence are the magnificent gardens of the Generalife, the former rural residence of the emirs who ruled this part of Spain in the 13th and 14th centuries. The residential district of the Albaycín is a rich repository of Moorish vernacular architecture, into which the traditional Andalusian architecture blends harmoniously.

United Nations 2000. World Heritage Site of Granada, Spain.

United Nations (New York) 2000. World Heritage site of Granada.

Spain 1988. Alhambra de Granada, a World Cultural Heritage site.

The Alhambra and the gardens of El Generalife, which were included in the World Heritage List in 1984, are masterpieces of Nasrid architecture and belong to the last period of Arab art in the Iberian Peninsula. They embody the strength of rich and sumptuous Moorish tradition based on lavish decoration, which is one of the most outstanding elements of these unique buildings.

Spain 1988. An interesting stamp, giving a faint view of Alhambra through the "transparent" letters saying "Alhambra de Granada".

The Inner courtyard of the palace of King Carlos V, in Granada, a typical example of the lavish Moorish architecture. The walls are all covered with tiles, giving a pleasant "chill" and protection against the blazing sun.

Spain 1978. Europa Stamp. Inner courtyard of the royal palace in Granada. The stamp is used.
Spain 2001. Interior from the palatial gardens in Granada.

Spain 1978. Europa Stamp. Inner courtyard of the royal palace in Granada.

Spain 2001. Interior from the palatial gardens in Granada.

Spain 1996. Albayzin residential quarter in Alhambra.

Spain 1964. Lion Yard in Alhambra.

With its steep cobbled streets, mosques converted into churches, Arab water cisterns still in use and Moorish palaces and tranquil villas hidden behind lush greenery, the World Heritage listing of the Alhambra and the Generalife site was extended to include the residential quarter of Albayzin in 1994.

The most important vestige of Granada's splendid Moorish civilization is the remaining section of the Alhambra, the fortress-palace of the Moorish rulers, built in a blend of Islamic and Andalucian style.

Spain 1996. Albayzin residential quarter in Alhambra.
Spain 1964. The Lion Yard in Alhambra, the fortress palace of the 13th-14th centuries of the Moorish kings of Granada.

Granada was founded in the 8th century by the Moors near the site of an ancient Roman settlement. Between 1036 and 1234, it was a part of Moorish Spain.

At the end of that period, when the Moors were deprived of most of their Spanish possessions, the city replaced Córdoba as the capital of the remaining Moorish territory, called the kingdom of Granada.

The city of Granada then entered its most flourishing era, becoming a rich trading center and attaining a reputation as a center for art, literature, and science. The city continued to prosper for about a century after the Spanish conquest of the kingdom of Granada in 1492.

During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) the Nationalists captured the city, but the Loyalists held the rest of Granada Province until the end of the conflict.

Spain 2003. Souvenir sheet from "Exfilna 2003" in Granada, showing fine Moorish ornaments, typical for the city and Andalucia.

Sources and links:

Microsoft Encarta 2002.

The Historical City of Granada (Sociedad Hispano Mundial)

Instituto Andaluz del Patrimonio Histórico (only in spanish)

World Heritage Sites in Spain (Tourist Office of Spain)

Other World Heritage Sites in Spain (on this site). Please refer to the UNESCO-listing, Spain-section, for further information on the individual properties.

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