The New Student's Reference Work/Alhambra

Alhambra (äl-häm' brä), the ancient fortress and residence of the Moorish monarchs of Granada, situated on a hill overlooking the city of Granada, Spain. This famous palace was built between 1248 and 1354, and though greatly marred by its Spanish conquerors in succeeding ages still contains marvels of beauty, taste and ingenuity. The surrounding gardens, with their waterfalls, fountains and shady ravines, caused the Arab poet to liken the whole effect to "a pearl set around with emeralds." It is divided into countless apartments, vast halls, ranges of bedrooms and summer rooms, whispering galleries, a labyrinth and vaulted tombs. Passages from the Koran adorn the various walls. Among the most famous courts are the Hall of Ambassadors, with its splendid throne of the sultan, and the Court of the Lions, with its magnificent fountain, supported by twelve marble lions. A famous description of this palace is to be found in Washington Irving's Alhambra.