Alhambra y Generalife (UNESCO), Granada

The Alhambra in Granada

The Alhambra, Generalife and Albaycín quarter of Granada were declared as World Heritage by UNESCO in 1984.

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The Alhambra was a palace, a citadel, fortress, and the home of the Nasrid sultans, high government officials, servants of the court and elite soldiers (from the 13th to the 14th century). Today, the monument is divided into four main areas: the Palaces, the military zone or Alcazaba, the city or Medina and the agricultural estate of the Generalife. All of these areas are surrounded by woods, gardens and orchards.

Other notable buildings belonging to a different time period are also included, such as the Renaissance style Palace of Charles V, which houses the Alhambra Museum (most of the items are from the site of the monument) and the Fine Art Museum.

In order to fully appreciate the unique architecture of the Alhambra set within the surrounding landscape, it is advisable to visit an area of the Albaycín called the Mirador de San Nicolás, or go to Sacromonte. From both of these places the Alhambra's spectacular location, lying just above the city of Granada, can really be admired.

More about Alhambra

Though the origins of both important monuments of Granada, the Alhambra and Generalife, are not clear, there are certain remains from the 9th century, the Alhambra’s most brilliant creations date from the Nasrid Empire and the reign of Carlos V, between the 13th and 16th centuries.

In its palaces, from the window of the mirador de Daraxa to the mottled stone columns of the Carlos V palace, everything in this complex is designed, planned and executed with only the thought of perfection in mind. This perfection may approach that of the Koran or Sunna or find itself closer to the Neo-Platonism of the Renaissance.

Los 12 leones de la fuente de la Alhambra simboliza los doce soles del zodiaco, los doce meses que en la eternidad existen simultáneamente.

In the Alhambra, an Islamic world is sustained over classical thought, a fact not only perceptible in the symbolic order of the emperor’s palace; the Lion Court (Patio de los Leones) also represents a monastic cloister, organized according to the Golden section, the most highly classical of all proportions.

Other important monuments in Andalusia

Seville - The Alcázar palace
Seville - The Giralda tower
Seville - The Cathedral
Seville - Plaza de España
Full list of monuments in Seville City

Granada - Alhambra
Córdoba - Mosque/mesquita
Ronda - Puente nuevo (the new bridge)

Location map of Alhambra y Generalife (UNESCO)

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Alhambra Tickets

If you need some tickets to visit the Alhambra of Granada dont hesitate to contact with these webs:

- www.alhambra.org - Infomration about Alhambra and Generalife.

- www.alhambra.info - Guides to Alhambra and Generalife. Buy and reserve your tickets.

- www.alhambragranada.info - Guides to Alhambra and Generalife. Buy and reserve your tickets.

The entrances are valid only for the indicated day when you purchase them.
Due to the huge demand and the limited number of visitors every day, we recommend you reserve your tickets in advance.
Once you are inside the monument, you can stay inside until the deadline time provided in the ticket is finished.

Itinerary

Alcazaba, is the military area within the grounds of the Monument. The following areas may be visited: the terrace of the Bucket Tower (Torre del Cubo), the ramparts of the northern wall, the Arms Square (Plaza de Armas) with an urban military district (Barrio Castrense), the terrace of the Arms Gate (Terraza de la Puerta de las Armas), the Watchtower (Torre de la Vela) and the Ramparts´ garden (Jardín de los Adarves).

Palacios Nazaríes.
This area includes:

Mexuar: Hall, Oratory, Gilded Room and Patio.

Comares Palace: Court of the Myrtles (Patio de los Arrayanes), Hall of the Boat (Sala de la Barca), the Ambassadors´ Hall (Salón de Embajadores).

Palace of the Lions (Palacio de los Leones): Sala de los Mocárabes, Patio, Sala de los Abencerrajes, Hall of the Kings (Sala de los Reyes), Hall of the Two Sisters (Sala de Dos Hermanas), The Emperor's Chambers, Belvedere, Court of the Wrought Iron Grille (Patio de la Reja), Garden of Lindarja.

El Partal: Gallery of the Palace (Pórtico del Palacio), Gardens and walkways, Rauda, Palace of Yusuf III and the Towers Walk.

Admission to the Nasrid Palaces is only allowed during the time slot shown on the ticket.

Generalife: This area includes: The New Gardens, Patio for Dismounting (Patio del Descabalgamiento), Court of Access (Patio de Acceso), Court of the Water Channel (Patio de la Acequia), Court of the Sultana, Upper Gardens and Oleander Walk.

Gardens

The entry ticket for the gardens allows access to the main garden areas within the Monument, with the intention that this type of ticket will expand the visitor's choice and be of value.