DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.7431#0017
PART II.
A DESCRIPTION OF THE ALHAMRA AT GRANADA.
The Engraving, which is introductory to the description of the Alhamra, exhibits a combination of Arabian ornaments, selected
from various parts of that celebrated palace.
In the centre of this plate, round the circle, is the motto, which so frequently occurs in the edifice,—" Wa fa gh'alib illa-llah"
that is, " There is no Conqueror but God"
In the left hand corner, at the bottom of the plate, is the obverse of a fine gold coin, exactly of the size represented, which was
struck by order of Muhammad Abu Abdillah Ebn Yusuf, surnamed Alghalib Billah, a celebrated king of Granada : the coin in
question is preserved in the Museum of the King of Spain. Within the square is an Arabic inscription, of which the following is
a translation: " In the name of God, the Merciful, the Forgiving. The Blessing of God on Muhammad and his family.—There is
no Conqueror but God." On the segments of the circle round this square, we read: " Tour God is one God. There is no God but
He,—the Merciful, the Forgiving."
In the right hand corner, is the reverse of the same coin, containing the following sentences: within the square : " There is no
God but God. Muhammad is the messenger of God. Almahady, Prince of the people of Granada " On the segments of the circle
round the square : " The Commander of the Faithful, Alghalib Billah Muhammad, Son of Yusuf, Son ofKasr, whom God prosper."
The central line, at the bottom of the engraving, has the following inscription " Glory to our Lord Abu Abdillah. Glory
to our Lord the Sultan."
plate x.
the royal palace and fortress of alhamra, at granada.
On looking from the royal villa or pleasure-house of Al Ge-
neralife, which is delineated in the latter part of this work/'
the spectator beholds the side of the palace of Alhamra, that
commands the quarter of the city, called the Albayzin. The
massive towers are connected by solid walls, constructed upon
the system of fortifications which generally prevailed in the
middle ages. These walls and towers follow all the turnings
and windings of the mountain; and, previously to the in-
vention of gunpowder and artillery, this fortress must have
been almost impregnable. The situation of this edifice is the
most delightful and commanding, that can well be conceived.
Wherever the spectator may turn his eyes, it is impossible
for him not to be struck with admiration at the picturesque
beauty and fertility of the surrounding country. On the
north and west, as far as the eye can reach, a lovely plain
presents itself, which is covered with an immense number of
trees laden with fruits or blossoms, while on the south it is
bounded by mountains; whose lofty summits are crowned
with perpetual snows, whence issue the springs and streams
that diffuse both health and coolness through the city of
Granada.
The Alhamra, usually, but erroneously, denominated the
* See it described infra Plates LXXXIX. to XCV.
Alhambra, is a vast pile of building, about two thousand
three hundred English feet in length; and its breadth, which
is the same throughout, is about six hundred feet. It was
erected by Muhammad Abu Abdillah, surnamed Alghalib
Billah; who superintended the edifice himself, and, when it
was completed, made it the royal residence.
For a minute account of this palace, with architectural ob-
servations on the disposition of its several parts, the reader is
referred to the " History of the Mahometan Empire in Spain,"
Part I. Chapter V. Sect. II. pp. 193 198.
plate xl
a general plan of the fortress of the alhamra.
Explanation of the Figures of Reference.
1. The Puerta del Justicia, or Gate of Judgment, now the principal entrance to the
Fortress.
2. The gate, called Puerta del Vino, or the Wine Gate.
3. Towers.
4. Armoury.
5. Watch Tower (Torre de la Velha.)
6. A Battery.
7- Towers.
8. Place of the Great Subterraneous Cisterns (Plaza de los Algihes).
9. Remains of the Arabian Palace.
10. Palace of the Emperor Charles V.
This grand pile of building, commenced for the Emperor Charles V. was never
finished in consequence of his frequent absences from Spain, occasioned by the
A DESCRIPTION OF THE ALHAMRA AT GRANADA.
The Engraving, which is introductory to the description of the Alhamra, exhibits a combination of Arabian ornaments, selected
from various parts of that celebrated palace.
In the centre of this plate, round the circle, is the motto, which so frequently occurs in the edifice,—" Wa fa gh'alib illa-llah"
that is, " There is no Conqueror but God"
In the left hand corner, at the bottom of the plate, is the obverse of a fine gold coin, exactly of the size represented, which was
struck by order of Muhammad Abu Abdillah Ebn Yusuf, surnamed Alghalib Billah, a celebrated king of Granada : the coin in
question is preserved in the Museum of the King of Spain. Within the square is an Arabic inscription, of which the following is
a translation: " In the name of God, the Merciful, the Forgiving. The Blessing of God on Muhammad and his family.—There is
no Conqueror but God." On the segments of the circle round this square, we read: " Tour God is one God. There is no God but
He,—the Merciful, the Forgiving."
In the right hand corner, is the reverse of the same coin, containing the following sentences: within the square : " There is no
God but God. Muhammad is the messenger of God. Almahady, Prince of the people of Granada " On the segments of the circle
round the square : " The Commander of the Faithful, Alghalib Billah Muhammad, Son of Yusuf, Son ofKasr, whom God prosper."
The central line, at the bottom of the engraving, has the following inscription " Glory to our Lord Abu Abdillah. Glory
to our Lord the Sultan."
plate x.
the royal palace and fortress of alhamra, at granada.
On looking from the royal villa or pleasure-house of Al Ge-
neralife, which is delineated in the latter part of this work/'
the spectator beholds the side of the palace of Alhamra, that
commands the quarter of the city, called the Albayzin. The
massive towers are connected by solid walls, constructed upon
the system of fortifications which generally prevailed in the
middle ages. These walls and towers follow all the turnings
and windings of the mountain; and, previously to the in-
vention of gunpowder and artillery, this fortress must have
been almost impregnable. The situation of this edifice is the
most delightful and commanding, that can well be conceived.
Wherever the spectator may turn his eyes, it is impossible
for him not to be struck with admiration at the picturesque
beauty and fertility of the surrounding country. On the
north and west, as far as the eye can reach, a lovely plain
presents itself, which is covered with an immense number of
trees laden with fruits or blossoms, while on the south it is
bounded by mountains; whose lofty summits are crowned
with perpetual snows, whence issue the springs and streams
that diffuse both health and coolness through the city of
Granada.
The Alhamra, usually, but erroneously, denominated the
* See it described infra Plates LXXXIX. to XCV.
Alhambra, is a vast pile of building, about two thousand
three hundred English feet in length; and its breadth, which
is the same throughout, is about six hundred feet. It was
erected by Muhammad Abu Abdillah, surnamed Alghalib
Billah; who superintended the edifice himself, and, when it
was completed, made it the royal residence.
For a minute account of this palace, with architectural ob-
servations on the disposition of its several parts, the reader is
referred to the " History of the Mahometan Empire in Spain,"
Part I. Chapter V. Sect. II. pp. 193 198.
plate xl
a general plan of the fortress of the alhamra.
Explanation of the Figures of Reference.
1. The Puerta del Justicia, or Gate of Judgment, now the principal entrance to the
Fortress.
2. The gate, called Puerta del Vino, or the Wine Gate.
3. Towers.
4. Armoury.
5. Watch Tower (Torre de la Velha.)
6. A Battery.
7- Towers.
8. Place of the Great Subterraneous Cisterns (Plaza de los Algihes).
9. Remains of the Arabian Palace.
10. Palace of the Emperor Charles V.
This grand pile of building, commenced for the Emperor Charles V. was never
finished in consequence of his frequent absences from Spain, occasioned by the