- Alhambra’s full name is “Qal’at al-Hambra”
- The Alhambra is a stunning building from both up close and afar, make sure you get to see its architecture and the surrounding gardens from the San Nicolás or Sacromonte viewpoints.
- The Alhambra has 23 towers.
- In 1812 the French blew some of the towers up. Napoleon ordered the entire complex to be blown up, however, a crippled French soldier defused the explosives and saved the Alhambra. Later in 1821 an earthquake caused further damage.
- Restoration of the Alhambra started in 1828 by architect Jose Contreras.
- The walls and ceilings are covered with symbolic geometric designs because under Islamic law the depiction of the human form is idolatry and therefore a sin.
- Even though Alhambra means “the red one” it was originally painted white. The name is actually derived from the regions red clay.
- Alhambra began as a fort in the 9th century
- You can visit the Alhambra at night although, only to the outdoor areas of the Nasrid palaces.
- It was added as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984.
- The Moors introduced a way to make fantastic mosaics of tiles in sophisticated geometric patterns to decorate their palace walls.
- Alhambra was built by the Moors in the 13th century when Islamic power in Spain was threatened by a Christian resurgence, internally it was an attempt to create paradise.
- Alhambra was a military headquarters, administrative base and royal palace during the Nasrid Dynasty.
- The hall of ambassadors has a carved ceiling that is 18.3m (60ft) above ground in an attempt to suggest the heavens.
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