The History Of The Alhambra In 1 Minute

One of the most popular tourist sights in Spain, the Alhambra is an ancient palace and fortress on the outskirts of the southern town of Granada in Andalusia. Constructed by the Moors who invaded the country from the 8th century onwards, it is a fine example of the hybrid style known as mudéjar art and a powerful symbol of Spain’s multicultural past.
The first signs of construction date back to at least the Roman times and can be attributed to the site’s advantageous position with good visibility of the surrounding area. However it wasn’t until the 14th century that the foundations of the Alhambra as it is known today were laid. Since the 8th century, Spain had been invaded by the Moors who had successfully established emirates and caliphates in most of the major provinces. It was in the mid-13th century that the Moorish emir Mohammed ben Al-Ahmar commissioned the palace’s construction, which was eventually turned into a royal palace by Yusuf I Sultan of Granada in the mid-14th century. The palace was designed in the typical fashion popular among Muslim rulers on the peninsula at the time, featuring the presence of horseshoe arches, arabesques and calligraphy.

However, soon the Moorish rule came to an end as the Spanish Kings launched the Reconquista and reclaimed their land. In the year 1492 the Emir of Granada surrendered the Emirate of Granada to the Catholic Kings of Spain, King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile, who soon made it the home of the Royal Court. Under Christian ownership the Alhambra underwent significant refurbishment and restructuring in accordance with the Renaissance style of the time. The structure grew into the large complex of rooms, palaces, courtyards, chambers and gardens that visitors can admire today. The parks and gardens that surround the edifice are a testimony of its multicultural past: the roses, myrtles and orange trees planted by the Moors contrast beautifully with the lush forest of English elm trees offered by the Duke of Wellington in 1812. The Alhambra has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1984 and has inspired a number of references in local culture.

📅 Oct 15th – Mar 15th: Mon-Sun 8:30am-6pm
Mar 15th – Oct 15th: Mon-Sun 8:30am-8pm
Advance booking is essential.
By TCT Barcelona

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.