The Alhambra Granada Spain Palaces:
The Role of the Nazrid Dynasty in the Construction of the Alhambra
The founder of the Alhambra was Mohammed 1.
After the battle of Tolosa Navas 1212 AD, Christian Spain was advancing fast -
Moorish Spain diminished and diminished.
Moslem Disunity broke out amongst the petty Taifas.
The Governer of Jaen was Mohammed ben Ibn Nasr, al-Ahmar
Surrounding feuding states to Jaen, became a crucial in Ibn Nasr's political ambitions. He invaded the bickering petty kingdoms.
During Ibn Nasir's rule, the Emirate of Granada possessed:
Granadine boundaries stretched as far as Gibraltar - almost the equivalent of today's
Andalucia Spain.
Granada Became A Capital
Mohammed Ibn Nasir entered Granada 1232 AD. The city became his ruling capital in 1245 AD. Mohammed was a philanthrope; a just and wise man. He founded schools and colleges and hospitals and genuinely cared about his citizens. He ruled under the name of
Mohammed 1.
Refugee al-Andalusi Moors Sought a Safe Haven
Outside Granada, Christian onslaught gathered strength against the Arabs.
Over 100,000 refugee Moors from the conquered lands of Moorish al-Andalus arrived to Granada. Many of the new citizens were gifted artisans: specialists of hispano-moorish and
islamic art and architectecture. Also present were luxury goods merchants, food merchants, intellectuals, philosphers and poets.
Granada specialised in silks, carpets, brocades, inlaid carpentry, leather-embossing, glazed ceramics (lusterware), carved ivory, intricate gold and silverwork.
Granada Weaponry
Granadine guns and swords were of
terrifying and superlative quality. Granada amassed thousands of arms: a veritable fact to fear.
The increasing proximity of advancing Christians was cause for an enthusiatic and perpetual study of warfare tactics and techniques. The Granadine Emirate - when it was vassal to the Castillian kingdom - undertook to train their mercenary troops.
The New Residents
Almost replicating history during the
The Cordovan Zenith expert professionals and polymaths congregated in Granada: Scientists, Doctors, Architects, constructors and water technologists.
Aqueducts were constructed: providing limitless supplies of water. Public baths and delightful Moorish Water Gardens were built. Hundreds of Norias pumped water to feed thousands of irrigation channels which snaked through the Alpujarras and Granada's fertile Vegas.
Granada boomed with the expertise of its new residents.
The Importance of the Alhambra Water Supplies and Ibn Nasir
Mohammed 1's
supreme feat was to divert the Darro river, uphill 8 kms to the base of the Sabikah hill.
Water Technology of the Alhambra and systematic application of
al-Andalus Agricultural Water Secrets supplied Granada, the Alhambra plateau and the Granada Vegas with unlimited amounts of water.
Abundance created prosperity: trade and commerce were excellent.
Granada was a Jewel to Protect. the Alhambra Palace Gems
1238 AD construction to the
Alhambra Alcazaba began in earnest. Aware of the dangers surrounding the Granada Sultanate
Mohammed I built everything with thought of his enemies "foremost" into the Alhambra structures. Ramparts were structured with watch-towers that purposely edged terrifying precipices. Only 250 years later did the
Alhambra Spain 1492 Nazrid Sultanate fall to the Christians .
Alhambra Palaces - The Red Castle's Etymology
The Alhambra was built feverishly, day-and-night.
It is probable "the red castle etymology" arose as a consequence of the work, especially, done by torchlight.
The Alhambra was intended to be "no easy place to attack."
Nazrid Heraldic Coat of Arms
islamic art and architectecture 1: significance of sacred geometrical patterns
The Christian Alliance
Fernando 111 conquered Cordoba in 1236 AD.
All of Valencia fell to James 1 "The Conqueror" of Aragon.
The Christians were getting very close to Granada.
Mohammed 1 had to negociate the safety of Granada. He organized a meeting with the Castillian, king Fernando 111. Ibn Nasir agreed to help the Christians to overpower Muslim Seville, in exchange for keeping his independence in Granada: plus, he would pay the Christians' yearly taxes. Granada became a vassal-state to the Christians. As a result of these agreements, Granada became officially: the Emirate of Granada in 1238 AD.
The Fall of Moorish Seville 1248 AD
Fernando 111 called upon Ibn Nasir's services to help the Christians render Moorish Seville into their power. Mohammed 1 obeyed dutifully and Seville fell.
On his return to Granada, citizens welcomed him joyously.
However, Mohammed 1 was saddened by recent events.
Quietly he uttered to the crowd: "There is no conqueror but God."
Origin of the Alhambra Granada Spain Palaces Motto
This phrase became the emblem of the Alhambra.
Over 9,000 times these words were lovingly intertwined in Arabesque calligraphy inset between millions of geometrical patterns on the
Caliphal Architecture
and inscribed on the walls of the
Alhambra Granada Spain Palaces.
You Are Here:
Andalucia Home > Alhambra Granada Spain Palaces > return to
Alhambra Granada Spain
or to the
TOP
