Alhambra

In 889, Sawwar ben Hamdun sought refuge in the Alcazaba fortress located within the Alhambra due to civil fights in the Caliphate of Cordoba, marking the early historical significance of the site.

The construction of the Alhambra, a magnificent palace and fortress complex in Granada, Spain, began in 1238 under the rule of the Zirid dynasty.

The Alhambra Mosque was commissioned by Muhammad III and completed in 1305. It consisted of a hypostyle hall with three 'naves' separated by rows of three arches, supported by marble columns with capitals similar to those of the Cordoban Caliphate period. The mosque was later converted to a church after the Christian conquest.

Built in 1348 during the reign of Yusuf I, the Puerta de la Justicia is the main gate of the Alhambra located on the south side of the walled complex. It features a large horseshoe arch and a steep ramp passing through a bent passage.

The flag of Ferdinand and Isabella was raised above Torre de la Vela as a symbol of the Spanish conquest of Granada on January 2, 1492.

The Alhambra Decree was signed by the Catholic Monarchs, ordering the expulsion of all Jews in Spain who refused to convert.

Isabella and Ferdinand signed a contract with Christopher Columbus in the Alhambra, setting the terms for his expedition to the Americas.

Isabella and Ferdinand initially took up residence in the Alhambra after the conquest of Granada and stayed there for several months.

The Palace of the Convent of San Francisco, also known as the Palacio de los Infantes, was named after the Convent of Saint Francis installed here in 1494. The Nasrid palace was likely built by Muhammad II and later remodeled by Muhammad V.

The Pilar de Carlos V is a Renaissance-style fountain built in 1524 at the Alhambra. It features Christian-era sculptures and further alterations were made in 1624.

In 1526, Charles V rebuilt portions of the Alhambra in the Renaissance style and destroyed part of it to build an Italianate palace designed by Pedro Machuca, altering the original Moorish architecture.

Construction of the Charles V Palace began in 1527 as a symbol of the triumph of Christianity over Islam. It was intended to be used as a summer residence by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain.

The Puerta de las Granadas, a formal Renaissance-style gate built in 1536, serves as the main entrance to the Alhambra Woods on the south side of the Alhambra. It was constructed over the remains of an earlier Islamic-era gate.

During the construction of the nearby Palace of Charles V in 1574, tombstones of important figures like Muhammad II, Isma'il I, Yusuf I, and Yusuf III were discovered at the Nasrid Mausoleum site in the Alhambra.

In 1618, columns and capitals from other Nasrid palaces were integrated into the gallery of the Peinador de la Reina tower in the Alhambra. Some of these elements were later moved to the Alhambra Museum.

What was left of the Palace of the Abencerrajes in the Alhambra was blown up by Napoleon's troops in 1812. The ruins are now part of an area known as the Secano.

An earthquake in 1821 caused further damage to the Alhambra.

In 1828, architect José Contreras undertook restoration work on the Alhambra, which was later continued by his descendants. The restoration work aimed to preserve and enhance the monument.

In 1830, Washington Irving lived in Granada and wrote his famous work 'Tales of the Alhambra', which sparked international interest in the Alhambra and southern Spain. His writings contributed to the monument becoming an iconic symbol of the era.

In 1843, Torre de la Vela became part of the city's coat of arms. It was originally a watchtower in the Alcazaba of the Alhambra.

In 1868, a revolution led to the deposition of Isabella II and the seizure of properties of the Spanish monarchy, including the Alhambra. This event marked a significant political change in Spain.

In 1870, the Alhambra was officially declared a National Monument of Spain, leading to increased state involvement in its conservation and preservation. This recognition highlighted the cultural importance of the monument.

In September 1890, a fire destroyed a significant portion of the Sala de la Barca in the Comares Palace of the Alhambra, emphasizing the vulnerability of the site. This event prompted further conservation efforts.

In 1891, the Partal Palace was ceded to the Spanish government and officially became part of the Alhambra historical site.

In 1907, Mariano Contreras was replaced by Modesto Cendoya as the director of conservation of the Alhambra. Cendoya's tenure was marked by controversy and criticism for his conservation strategies.

Marcel L'Herbier's 1921 film El Dorado was the first feature film to be granted permission to shoot inside the Alhambra palace, showcasing its gardens and architectural patterns.

M. C. Escher visited the Alhambra palace in 1922 and was inspired by the symmetries in the Moorish tiles, leading to his work on tessellation.

In 1923, Leopoldo Torres Balbás was appointed as the chief architect of the Alhambra, bringing a more scientific and systematic approach to its conservation. His work aimed to reverse inaccurate changes made by previous architects.

The baths of the Alhambra Mosque, constructed under Muhammad III, were partly demolished in 1534 but later restored and reconstructed in 1934. The baths provided general hygiene and ritual ablutions for religious purposes.

In 1940, a new Council of the Alhambra was established to oversee the site, a responsibility that has been maintained since then.

In the 1958 adventure film The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, the Alhambra stood in for Baghdad, with various palace scenes shot at night to avoid disturbing tourists.

The construction of the Charles V Palace in the Alhambra, which began in 1527, was left unfinished until 1967. It is now a celebrated example of Renaissance architecture in Spain.

The Alhambra was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 due to its significance as the best-preserved monument from the period of Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula. It is known for its distinct red walls and rich cultural influences.

In 1986, new statutes and documents were created to regulate the planning and protection of the Alhambra site, ensuring its preservation and management.

In the 2005 film King Kong, the fictional Broadway theatre where Kong is displayed as the 'Eighth Wonder of the World' is named 'The Alhambra'.

The Court of Lions in the Alhambra was minted onto the 2011 limited edition, commemorative 2€ coins in Spain, highlighting its significance as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Court of the Lions in the Alhambra is depicted in the 2016 movie Assassin's Creed, where Sultan Muhammad XII surrenders a powerful artifact in exchange for his son's safety.

The 2018 South Korean television series Memories of the Alhambra is set in Granada, Spain, with the Alhambra palace as the backdrop for an AR game.