DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.7431#0018
8
A DESCRIPTION OF THE ALHAMRA AT GRANADA.
almost perpetual wars in which he was engaged. The spot chosen for its site
commands a most beautiful view of the city of Granada, as well as its surrounding
Vega or Plain. As a specimen of Spanish architecture, it reflects the highest
credit on the artist, Alonzo or Alphonso Berrugueti, who began to execute it in
the year 1526. It is every way adapted to the climate ; and its interior, which is
of a circular form, unites convenience and splendour. In any other situation but
this, the palace of Charles V. would justly excite admiration : but here it is mis-
placed, and produces only disgust, especially when it is recollected that its ex-
pense was defrayed by part of the money obtained under a false pretence from
the unhappy Moors. That, oppressed people had presented the Emperor with
80,000 ducats (according to Pedraza, but M. Peyron says 1,600,000 ducats), as
a boon for not depriving them of the Arabic language. The artful monarch re-
ceived their money, and deluded them with promises that were never fulfilled,
and which did not even put a stop to the infamous system of persecuting and
ransoming them, under the insidious pretence of effecting their conversion.
11. Parish Church.
12. Castles, Towers, &c.
13. Towers, flanking the walls of the Fortress.
14. Aqueduct connected with the Generalife.
15. Reservoir Tower.
16. Remains of an ancient dwelling.
17- Puerta de los siete suelos, or Gate of the Tower of Seven Stages.
This tower is said to descend seven stories underground : no person, however,
has been able to penetrate lower than the fourth story. Divers marvellous tales
are related concerning this tower, in which the Moorish sovereigns are said, for
a long time, to have deposited their treasures. Here, according to the vulgar
fables, is heard the din of arms, and of soldiers ready to massacre all who have
the temerity to present themselves. These soldiers are stationed here to guard
immense treasures ; and in the discharge of this duty they are assisted by three
terrific monsters, the most formidable of which is a horse without a head ! ! !
18. Prison Tower.
19. Remains of a Building, called the Mufti's Palace.
20. The Royal Villa of Al Generalife, or Generaliffe.
21. Remains of a Castle called la Silla del Moro.
22. An Arabian Cistern called Baho de las Damas, or the Ladies' Bath.
23. Coach Entrance to the Generalife.
24. Ruins of a Fortress.
25. Castles and Towers—Torres Vermejas.
26. Remains of a Fortress,
27. The River Darro or Dauro.
28. Part of the City of Granada.
The reader is requested to observe, that all the strongly
shaded parts, in this plate, represent ancient works.
PLATE XII.
a ground plan of the royal palace of alhamra.
The preceding plate exhibits a general plan of the Alhamra,
including all the various modern additions : in the present
engraving we offer a ground plan of this celebrated edifice,
by inspecting which, the form of its different apartments may
be the more readily discerned, and the sites of those in par-
ticular may be ascertained, of which we have given views.
Explanation of the Letters of Reference.
A. A. A. A. The Palace of the Moorish Sovereigns, according to its original plan.
B. B. B. B. B. B. A Fragment; which, being connected with the buildings that still
continue entire, has enabled the author to ascertain the original plan of the
Alhamra.
C. C. C. C. C. Modern erections added by the Catholic kings of Spain.
D. D. D. D. D. D. D. Horizontal Projection of the Palace of Charles V. which is
described in Plate XI. fig. 10.
Explanation of the Figures in Plate XII.
1. The Outside of the Palace.
2. The Hall of Judgment,—probably so called from the Moorish Kings having sat
there to hear and determine the causes brought before them.
3. Court of the Great Bath.
4. 4. A Parterre, on each side the great Paleo del Agua, A.
5. 5. Pavement on each side of the Parterre.
6. Entrance to the Baths.
7. Roof of Hot Baths.
8. 8. 8. 8. 8. 8. 8. Roof of Baths and Apartments belonging thereto.
9. Point whence our View of the Court of the Lions was taken.
10. The Fountain of Lions.
11. The Hall of the Abencerrages.
12. Sala de dos Hermanas, or Hall of the Two Sisters.
13. The Tower of Comares or Comaresch,
which is one hundred and forty-two feet in height. It is said to have derived this
appellation either from the Moorish architect by whom it was erected, or from
the workmen employed coming from a place called Comares, or, according to
Pedraza, from its superbly executed ornaments, by the Moors and Persians
termed Comaragia* It is the loftiest and most magnificent tower in the Al-
hamra : in form, it is a parallelogram : the roof is circular, and the cupola in its
centre is most beautifully stuccoed, in imitation of mother of pearl. The Spaniards
indeed assert, and believe it to be mother of pearl. The various apartments in this
tower are profusely decorated with ornaments and inscriptions, the most beautiful
of which are given in Plates LXVI. to LXXI. and LXXXV. infra. The
poems, whence these inscriptions are taken, are given at length in " The History
of the Mahometan Empire in Spain," Appendix, Nos. 3—14.
14. The point, whence our Perspective View of the Hall of Audience, or of the Am-
bassadors, was taken : for which see Plate XL. infra.
PLATE XIII.
the principal entrance to the alhamra.
This plate exhibits to considerable advantage the massive
architecture of the Alhamra: the principal approach to it is
through the narrow Calk de los Gomeks^ or Street of Gomeles,
so called from the ancient and powerful Moorish family of
that name. From this street, which has retained its original
form, after passing through a gate into the outward inclosure
of the Alhamra, the road ascends by a winding path through
a wood of lofty elms, intermixed with other handsome trees.
Wild neglected walks intersect the ascent in various direc-
tions; and streams of water, gushing on every side from the
moss-covered rocks, frequently spread over the whole road.
Near the summit of the hill, is a large and formerly hand-
some fountain erected by the Emperor Charles V. It is now
in a state of very considerable decay, and, like the rest of this
magnificent edifice, exhibits a monument of departed splen-
dour. All is verdant, and most beautifully picturesque on
this delicious spot.
PLATE xiv.
the gate of judgment.
o
This gate, which is now called the Guard-Gate in consequence
of some invalids mounting guard at it, was erected by the
Sultan Abu-l-Hajjaj Yusuf, an illustrious King of Granada,
A. H. 749,, or A, D. 1348; as appears by an Arabic inscrip-
tion over it, above which an image of the Virgin has been
placed. The inscription referred to, is given at length, with
an English translation, in the " History of the Mahometan
Empire in Spain," Appendix, No. I. The horse-shoe arch,
* Pedraza, Antiguedad de Granada, p. 16.
A DESCRIPTION OF THE ALHAMRA AT GRANADA.
almost perpetual wars in which he was engaged. The spot chosen for its site
commands a most beautiful view of the city of Granada, as well as its surrounding
Vega or Plain. As a specimen of Spanish architecture, it reflects the highest
credit on the artist, Alonzo or Alphonso Berrugueti, who began to execute it in
the year 1526. It is every way adapted to the climate ; and its interior, which is
of a circular form, unites convenience and splendour. In any other situation but
this, the palace of Charles V. would justly excite admiration : but here it is mis-
placed, and produces only disgust, especially when it is recollected that its ex-
pense was defrayed by part of the money obtained under a false pretence from
the unhappy Moors. That, oppressed people had presented the Emperor with
80,000 ducats (according to Pedraza, but M. Peyron says 1,600,000 ducats), as
a boon for not depriving them of the Arabic language. The artful monarch re-
ceived their money, and deluded them with promises that were never fulfilled,
and which did not even put a stop to the infamous system of persecuting and
ransoming them, under the insidious pretence of effecting their conversion.
11. Parish Church.
12. Castles, Towers, &c.
13. Towers, flanking the walls of the Fortress.
14. Aqueduct connected with the Generalife.
15. Reservoir Tower.
16. Remains of an ancient dwelling.
17- Puerta de los siete suelos, or Gate of the Tower of Seven Stages.
This tower is said to descend seven stories underground : no person, however,
has been able to penetrate lower than the fourth story. Divers marvellous tales
are related concerning this tower, in which the Moorish sovereigns are said, for
a long time, to have deposited their treasures. Here, according to the vulgar
fables, is heard the din of arms, and of soldiers ready to massacre all who have
the temerity to present themselves. These soldiers are stationed here to guard
immense treasures ; and in the discharge of this duty they are assisted by three
terrific monsters, the most formidable of which is a horse without a head ! ! !
18. Prison Tower.
19. Remains of a Building, called the Mufti's Palace.
20. The Royal Villa of Al Generalife, or Generaliffe.
21. Remains of a Castle called la Silla del Moro.
22. An Arabian Cistern called Baho de las Damas, or the Ladies' Bath.
23. Coach Entrance to the Generalife.
24. Ruins of a Fortress.
25. Castles and Towers—Torres Vermejas.
26. Remains of a Fortress,
27. The River Darro or Dauro.
28. Part of the City of Granada.
The reader is requested to observe, that all the strongly
shaded parts, in this plate, represent ancient works.
PLATE XII.
a ground plan of the royal palace of alhamra.
The preceding plate exhibits a general plan of the Alhamra,
including all the various modern additions : in the present
engraving we offer a ground plan of this celebrated edifice,
by inspecting which, the form of its different apartments may
be the more readily discerned, and the sites of those in par-
ticular may be ascertained, of which we have given views.
Explanation of the Letters of Reference.
A. A. A. A. The Palace of the Moorish Sovereigns, according to its original plan.
B. B. B. B. B. B. A Fragment; which, being connected with the buildings that still
continue entire, has enabled the author to ascertain the original plan of the
Alhamra.
C. C. C. C. C. Modern erections added by the Catholic kings of Spain.
D. D. D. D. D. D. D. Horizontal Projection of the Palace of Charles V. which is
described in Plate XI. fig. 10.
Explanation of the Figures in Plate XII.
1. The Outside of the Palace.
2. The Hall of Judgment,—probably so called from the Moorish Kings having sat
there to hear and determine the causes brought before them.
3. Court of the Great Bath.
4. 4. A Parterre, on each side the great Paleo del Agua, A.
5. 5. Pavement on each side of the Parterre.
6. Entrance to the Baths.
7. Roof of Hot Baths.
8. 8. 8. 8. 8. 8. 8. Roof of Baths and Apartments belonging thereto.
9. Point whence our View of the Court of the Lions was taken.
10. The Fountain of Lions.
11. The Hall of the Abencerrages.
12. Sala de dos Hermanas, or Hall of the Two Sisters.
13. The Tower of Comares or Comaresch,
which is one hundred and forty-two feet in height. It is said to have derived this
appellation either from the Moorish architect by whom it was erected, or from
the workmen employed coming from a place called Comares, or, according to
Pedraza, from its superbly executed ornaments, by the Moors and Persians
termed Comaragia* It is the loftiest and most magnificent tower in the Al-
hamra : in form, it is a parallelogram : the roof is circular, and the cupola in its
centre is most beautifully stuccoed, in imitation of mother of pearl. The Spaniards
indeed assert, and believe it to be mother of pearl. The various apartments in this
tower are profusely decorated with ornaments and inscriptions, the most beautiful
of which are given in Plates LXVI. to LXXI. and LXXXV. infra. The
poems, whence these inscriptions are taken, are given at length in " The History
of the Mahometan Empire in Spain," Appendix, Nos. 3—14.
14. The point, whence our Perspective View of the Hall of Audience, or of the Am-
bassadors, was taken : for which see Plate XL. infra.
PLATE XIII.
the principal entrance to the alhamra.
This plate exhibits to considerable advantage the massive
architecture of the Alhamra: the principal approach to it is
through the narrow Calk de los Gomeks^ or Street of Gomeles,
so called from the ancient and powerful Moorish family of
that name. From this street, which has retained its original
form, after passing through a gate into the outward inclosure
of the Alhamra, the road ascends by a winding path through
a wood of lofty elms, intermixed with other handsome trees.
Wild neglected walks intersect the ascent in various direc-
tions; and streams of water, gushing on every side from the
moss-covered rocks, frequently spread over the whole road.
Near the summit of the hill, is a large and formerly hand-
some fountain erected by the Emperor Charles V. It is now
in a state of very considerable decay, and, like the rest of this
magnificent edifice, exhibits a monument of departed splen-
dour. All is verdant, and most beautifully picturesque on
this delicious spot.
PLATE xiv.
the gate of judgment.
o
This gate, which is now called the Guard-Gate in consequence
of some invalids mounting guard at it, was erected by the
Sultan Abu-l-Hajjaj Yusuf, an illustrious King of Granada,
A. H. 749,, or A, D. 1348; as appears by an Arabic inscrip-
tion over it, above which an image of the Virgin has been
placed. The inscription referred to, is given at length, with
an English translation, in the " History of the Mahometan
Empire in Spain," Appendix, No. I. The horse-shoe arch,
* Pedraza, Antiguedad de Granada, p. 16.