The Alhambra
by Joe Schofield
Title
The Alhambra
Artist
Joe Schofield
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Among just a handful of truly magnificent places I have been thankful to visit, The Alhambra Palace in Grenada, Spain is one.
“Though the shadows of these walls have long since gone, the memory of them will live on as the final refuge of dreams and art. And then the last nightingale to breath on this earth will build its nest and sing its farewell song among the glorious ruins of the Alhambra.” ~ F. Villaespesa (plaque beside the Gate of the Pomegranates).
Over a glass of tinto, we sat in silence, and gazed at the majestic presence there across the ravine. I remember … the silence, and your presence .
The Alhambra is an ancient palace, fortress and citadel located in Granada, Spain. The eighth-century-old site was named for the reddish walls and towers that surrounded the citadel: al-qal’a al-hamra in Arabic means red fort or castle. It’s the only surviving palatine city (a royal territorial center) of the Islamic Golden Age and a remnant of the Nasrid Dynasty, the last Islamic kingdom in Western Europe.
In 1984, the Alhambra was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with two other related sites: the Albaicín (or Albayzín) and the Generalife Garden.
The Alhambra is located west of the city of Granada on the Sabika hill—a strategic vantage point that provides views of the whole city of Granada and the plain (vega) of Granada.
The complex is irregular in shape and surrounded by defensive walls. In all, the Alhambra spans nearly 26 acres, with more than a mile of walls, 30 towers and numerous smaller structures.
The Sabika hill and its palatine city are further surrounded by mountains, and Arab writers once likened Granada and Alhambra to a crown and diadem, respectively.
Uploaded
June 12th, 2022
Embed
Share
Similar Images
Comments (17)
Jim Cook
Amazing architecture and history nicely photographed! Love the mountains just showing in the distance.
Recently Viewed
