Summary
The Nasrid Palace is an ancient monument located in Granada, Spain. Surrounded by fortress-like walls, this military building complex was strategically erected on Sabika Hill in the 9th century. The ancient Alhambra fortress was not constructed at a specific moment; additional structures enhanced its architectural development. Although the Alhambra palace in Grenada is considered the work of different Nasrid dynasty rulers, Mohammed I laid its foundation. In the 15th century, the Alhambra was embellished and enlarged by his descendants and later modified during the Christian period. Unlike other medieval palaces, the Alhambra is sophisticated, especially regarding its intricate decorative programs, captivating gardens, and fountains.
The most famous courtyard in the Alhambra is the Patio of the Lions. The trees, fruits, streams, and fountains are viewed as the Quranic metaphors’ replicas. It is not surprising that most scholars have regarded it as the epitome of paradise. The Court of the Lions can be recognized by the twelve lion sculptures throwing jets of water that form a fountain at the center of the courtyard. The large basin, which is dodecagon-shaped, is perched atop the twelve lions surrounding it. This white marble fountain is indeed a prime example of Muslim carving. The Court of the Lions was built by the sultan of Granada, Mohammed V, during his second reign in 1362 AD.
The patio, constructed under the ruler’s guidelines, comprised a rectangular ground plan and a gallery in a Christian cloister style. However, many of the Court’s aesthetic decorations and symbols have been attributed to Spain’s ancient Islamic traditions. First, the Patio of the Lions was profusely decorated with muqarnas, a three-dimensional decoration used to furnish Al-Ándalus’s mosques and palaces. Quranic scriptures and poetry had been carved on the basin’s border for the visitors who ought to read them. Ibn Zamrak, one of Muslim Spain’s last pre-eminent poets, wrote much of the work. Notably, the Patio’s epigraphy breaks up the simplicity and duplication of the geometric and vegetal designs.
The Alhambra Following the Reconquista
It was not until 1492 that the last sultan of Granada, Muhammad XII, relinquished power to King Ferdinand of Aragon, who would then rule as Charles I. The new emperor played a leading role in uniting Spain under the moribund Islamic rule and a Catholic monarchy. The Alhambra complex underwent several transformations since its conquest by the Castilian forces. The main reason is that the territorial structure could not meet the comforts and needs of the emperor. For instance, the upper story is a complete Christian work after its reconstruction under King Ferdinand’s orders. In addition, the Comares Palace and the Court of the Lions were connected.
The new emperor also ordered the demolition of some of the Alhambra’s parts to construct his palace. New structures such as the Church and the Emperor’s Chambers were erected to replace Alhambra’s mosque. The Alhambra was completely abandoned by the 18th century. Apart from that, other parts of the fortress’s towers were dismantled, especially during the Peninsular War of 1812. It was in the 19th century that restoring, rebuilding, and maintaining the complex began.
Attached to the Alhambra Palace, the Renaissance-style structure came to be known as the Charles V Palace. A famous Italian painter and architect designed this building complex, and its construction commenced in 1533. The Myrtles’ well-furnished Court found at the west of the Court of the Lions inspired Pedro Machuca to embrace various Nasrid paintings. The craftsman also adopted much of the Arabic calligraphy that enriched the Alhambra fortress. Charles I and his wife were well-versed in Moorish history after coexisting with Muslims and evidently respected the Andalusian Alhambra cultures. Similar to the Nasrid Palace, their castle comprised lyrical features. However, the inscriptions found in the Charles V Palace invoked grandeur, and for the most part, complemented Charles’s Holy Roman Emperor title earned in 1519.
Reflection
Despite the Palacio de Carlos V’s construction being incomplete, it added new dimensions to the Alhambra’s buildings. Presently, the Palace of Charles V is a masterpiece representing how the royal power in the past was transferred between the Islamic and Christian values. Even today, the mashrabiya lattice is used by most Christians to decorate churches as it brings Moorish beauty to windows. Much of the Spanish budget was undeniably wasted on the final war of Reconquista. Therefore, the Spanish rulers might have faced the unbearable challenge of leaving the Alhambra palace mostly intact while still adjusting it to fit within their Christian tradition.
The Moorish Nasrid dynasty’s citadel complex remains a testimony to mankind’s capability to appreciate the splendor around it. While individual modifications occurred when Alhambra fell to the Catholic monarchs, most parts of the Nasrid palace architecture were adopted. Remarkably, the Spanish rulers made additions to the Nasrid Palace by building new structures and modifying the existing ones. The Court of the Lions and the Palace of Charles V present concrete evidence of a cultural background entirely dissimilar from the present. These monuments also show the significance of architectural constructions, particularly in the creation of community identity.
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