Alhambra Palace Complex Top Sights 2023 Tour - One of the Seven Wonders of the Muslim World in Spain

La Alhambra @ Granada: A Spain Moorish Architectural & Opulent Gem visited by millions of tourists. We took this private excursion during our NCL cruise stop at Malaga port in March 2023. This was another excellent tour organized by our cruise friend, Lisa. Many thanks to her, we got to visit this famous and marvelous place. In this video, our main aim is to do the architectural highlights of this landmark. 0:00 The beauty of Alhambra The Alhambra is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and probably the most popular destination in Spain. The Alhambra consists of the Alcazaba or fortress, the Nasrid Palace(s) which made up of: the Mexuar; the Court of the Myrtles, the Court of the Lions and adjoining buildings and gardens; and the Generalife or summer residence. 0:33 Patio de los Cipreses The famous avenue of cypress trees in Alhambra 0:40 Alhambra's garden paths, patios, pools and fountains 1:00 Court of the Water Channel- Patio de la Acequia The Water Channel Courtyard. Built around the Royal Canal is universally known for the beautiful scene of water emerging from its fountains. 1:11 Palacio del Generalife or Architect’s Garden Palacio del Generalife was a summer palace and country estate of the Nasrid rulers. 1:19 Ángel Barrios Museum/Church of Santa María de la Alhambra 1:26 Museo de la Alhambra The Museum of the Alhambra is located on the ground floor of the Palacio de Carlos V in the Alhambra Complex. Its permanent collection is considered to be one of the best selections of Spanish-Moorish Art, in particular, Nasrid Art. 1:50 Palace of Charles V The Palace of Charles V is a Renaissance building inside the Alhambra, a former Nasrid palace complex on top of the Sabika hill. The palace is square, with a facade of 63 meters wide by 17 meters high. It emphasizes its circular center, unique in its style courtyard and the most outstanding work of the Renaissance in Spain. 2:05 Puerta del Vino The Puerta del Vino or Wine Gate is an inner gate within the Alhambra Complex. It is thought to be one of the oldest constructions of the Alhambra dated to 1302. 2:15 Entering the Nasrid palace complex 02:23 Sala del Mexuar (Council Hall) The Mexuar is a section of the Nasrid palace complex in the Alhambra of Granada, Spain. It served as the entrance wing of the Comares Palace, the official palace of the sultan and the state, and it housed various administrative functions. The palace's two main courtyards were also put to other uses and only their foundations remain visible today. 2:32 Oratory (located at the back of the Mexuar) 2:36 Patio del Mexuar 2:41 Facade of the Palace of Comares 2:52 The South Gallery of the Patio de los Arrayanes 3:00 Grand Hall of Ambassadors in the the Comares Tower of Nasrid Palace The Alhambra’s largest tower, the Comares Tower, contains Hall of the Ambassadors, a throne room built by Yusuf I. This room exhibits the most diverse decorative features contained in the Alhambra. There are double arched windows which illuminate the room and provide breathtaking views. More light is provided by arched grille or lattice windows set high in the walls. The walls are lavishly decorated with tiles laid in intricate geometric patterns. With the remaining surfaces covered with intricately carved stucco motifs organized in bands and panels of curvilinear patterns and calligraphy. The ceiling is extremely elaborate. It was constructed using 8,000 small cedar wood pieces to make a delicate mosaic, which conjures the image of a star-scattered night sky. 3:32 Patio de los Arrayanes / Courtyard of the Myrtles The Courtyard of the Myrtles is one of the most famous and beautiful courtyards in the Alhambra. In the center is a shimmering 150 foot pool lined with myrtle hedges. The pool reflects the intricate plaster tracery of the gallery arches. 3:48 The Comares Palace Patio de los Arrayanes and its reflection 3:58 Sala de Barca (Hall of the Blessing) Entrance 4:06 Palace of the Lions The Palace of the Lions was built by Mohammed V and was the residence of the royal family. A beautiful arched gallery supported by 124 columns surrounds its 14th century rectangular Courtyard of the Lions. This is probably the most iconic part of the Nasrid Palace. 4:28 Elaborate ceiling of the Palace of the Lions 4:33 Sala de los Abencerrajes (Hall of the Abencerrajes) The Hall of Abencerrajes was the sultans’ living room, and it’s a stunner. It has perhaps the most exquisite ceiling in the Nasrid Palace, based on an eight sided Mulim star in blue, brown, red, and gold colors. 4:41 Hall of the Two Sisters-Daraxa’s Mirador The Mirador de Daraxa or Daraxa’s Mirador is a viewpoint of the Palacio de los Leones and the Gardens of the Partal.. 5:04 Dome Ceiling of the Hall of the Two Sisters The hall has yet another spectacular ceiling, carved in the 16th century. The dome is lit by lateral windows. It evokes an exquisite flower. 5:14 Daraxa’s Garden 5:18 Palacio de Yusuf III