Reading the Alhambra Chapter 4 Based on a transcript from the documentary: Reading the Alhambra. In the posting, we study the fundamental of kufic scripts that forms the artistic inscriptions on the walls of Alhambra. While most of the poems are inscribed in cursive lettering, also outstanding is the use in the Alhambra of richly ornamental Kufic calligraphy, in many of the exclamatory phrases and sentences. The decorative elements of foliat and floral motifs which, by then, had already been incorporated into the repertoire of Kufic scripts, were even further embellished here with swashes and upward strokes in the shape of columns, platen, plane and scalloped arches, and enjambment. All of which create meta architectural designs which while they cloud the walls, evoke at the same time cunningly, attractive imaginary structures. These are the architectural calligram. The simplest of these use one of the most frequently repeated expressions in the Alhambra is "Barakah" - a blessing. The second of the two letters of the word form an arch which accommodates the first two in a symmetrical construction. Similar calagrams to this fill the walls of the Alhambra, even in its most hidden corners. "Yuum" - good fortune, is also to be seen wherever you look, appearing in friezes of the Mocarabes and cornices interspersed between rhomboid designs and accompanying shields or other expressions and every often repeated in mirror image. In the Hall of Comares, for instance, "God provides in all adversity" written here with Allah at the bottom and the letters of Allah being extended upwards into plaited peaks and arches that circumscribed the rest of the composition. All of which is set off by foliat motifs. And, above the capital for the Mexuar where you will see another commonly used expression in the Alhambra - Perpetual Happiness, forming
Reading the Alhambra Chapter 4 Based on a transcript from the documentary: Reading the Alhambra. In the posting, we study the fundamental of kufic scripts that forms the artistic inscriptions on the walls of Alhambra. Alhambra. Image by Maatkare from Pixabay While most of the poems are inscribed in cursive lettering, also outstanding is the
Reading the Alhambra Chapter 3 Based on a transcript from the documentary: Reading the Alhambra. In the posting, we witness the importance of poetry and how it forms the core to this architectural structure. "From me, both by day and night, mouths salutes youwith wishes of good fortune, happiness and friendship. She is the Highest Cupola and we are her daughters, though my favour and glory make me stand out. My Lord Yusuf, sustained by God, clothed mein dignity with robes of undeniable distinction, making me the throne of the kingdom, the grandeur of which is borned up thanks to the Light, the Seat and the Throne." This poem in the Hall of Comares forms the hub of the poetic access of the Royal Palace of Comares. The building of which was completed by Mohammad V when he added the Hall of the Boat and the Courtyard of the Myrtles, a somatic axis composed of eleven courtly poems, eight of which still remain just as they were orginally inscribed. Mohammad´s court poet Ibn Zamrak composed the 9 mural qasidas which together with their courtly paradisiacal references turned out particularly for their nuptial metaphors such as those in the niches in the doorway between the Hall of the Boat and the Courtyard of the Myrtles. "I, beautiful and perfect, am the chair in which the bride is presented. Look at the vase and you will know how true my words are." And once again, in following arch, forming the entrance to the Hall of Comares. "The fingers of my maker wove my fabric, after setting the jewels in my crown. I resemble a nuptial throne, or even excel it, and I assure happiness to the bride and groom." The adjoining Palace of the Lions also built by Mohammad V is arranged
Reading the Alhambra Chapter 3 Based on a transcript from the documentary: Reading the Alhambra. In the posting, we witness the importance of poetry and how it forms the core to this architectural structure. Palace of Comares "From me, both by day and night, mouths salutes youwith wishes of good fortune, happiness and friendship. She
Reading the Alhambra Chapter 2 Based on a transcript from the documentary: Reading the Alhambra The inscriptions of verses from the Qur´an provide the buildings with sacred evocations of both the earthy and heavenly paradise, such as those in the oldest of the niches for jars of water in the Alhambra at the entrance of the hall of the Partal Palace. Their thirst will be slaked with pure wine sealed to others. The seal, therefore, will be musk and, for this, let those who aspire, who has aspirations, with it will be given a mixture water of Tasnim. Or inscribed upon the wooden cornice of the North Portico of the Generalife. "That He may admit the men and women who believe, to Gardens beneath which rivers flow, to dwell therein for aye..." But it is in the Hall of Comares built in honour of Yusuf I were a passage from the Quranic Surah on divine sovereignty painted in white upon the wooden cornice beneath the ceiling acquires its greatest architectural dimension. "Blessed be He in Whose hands is Dominion; and He over all things hath Power; He Who created Death and Life, that He may try which of you is best in deed: and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving; He Who created the seven heavens one above another: No want of proportion wilt thou see the Creation of the Most Gracious, So turn thy vision again, seest thou any flaw? Again turn thy vision a second time: thy vision will come back to thee dull and discomfited." Thus, we were told the ceiling reproduces the seven heavens of the celestial Islamic paradise. The light of which emanates form the divine throne at its center. The symbolic meaning of the hall is a royal seat is completed by the poem
Reading the Alhambra Chapter 2 Based on a transcript from the documentary: Reading the Alhambra The inscriptions of verses from the Qur´an provide the buildings with sacred evocations of both the earthy and heavenly paradise, such as those in the oldest of the niches for jars of water in the Alhambra at the entrance of
Reading the Alhambra Chapter 1 Based on a transcript from the documentary: Reading the Alhambra When you visit the Alhambra, you will enter into the most original and beautiful architectural world of words. The visual of the semantic prominence of its devout, regal voltive and Quranic phrases and sentences, inscribed in a subtle variety of Kufic and cursive lettering, combined with the images of its mural verse and calligrams, turn it into a magnificent tri-dimentional manuscript which converses with the water, the garden and the landscapes. In viewing the very buildings themselves with a sonorous, vital rhythm of the Arabic language and its poetry. The walls of the Alhambra are the pages of a book. The similarity between the tiles in many of the rooms and the covers of the books of that time with their artistic tracer in colouring is not mere chance. The tiles protect and act as a foil to the mural texts in the same way that the covers do to the pages of the Koran and other courtly works. The stucco work itself shares the same decorative motifs and calligraphic forms as contemporary manuscripts. Including the small arches contained within some of the Kufic calligrams. The incorporation of words into the architecture leads to a symbolic transfiguration of the spaces it encloses. Look where you will, and you will find metaphors idealising the figure of the sultan who built them and of the virtues of the palaces themselves. Other metaphors like in parts of the Alhambra to the stars in the firmament, or to gardens, or to heaven, in a similar way to the descriptions of the paradise found in the Qur´an. Yet others in nuptial vein personify its rooms as brides prepared to welcome their Lord. The whole intent is to identify these royals
Reading the Alhambra Chapter 1 Based on a transcript from the documentary: Reading the Alhambra When you visit the Alhambra, you will enter into the most original and beautiful architectural world of words. The visual of the semantic prominence of its devout, regal voltive and Quranic phrases and sentences, inscribed in a subtle variety of
Discover Granada Islamic Heritage sites & other must see sights The Alhambra and the Generalife The Alhambra is an UNESCO site dated on 9th century. Its palaces, towers, royal apartments and gardens show the splendour that Granada attained during the Nasrid dynasty. Arabic called «qa'lat al-Hamra'» that means Red Castle because of its reddish walls. Documents attributes Sawwar ben Hamdun establishment of the first castle here when he was looking for refugee in Granada. Quickly the castle became a military fortress because the hill is an strategic point with a view over the whole city and the meadow. The site is so astuning that you will need around 3 hour to inmerse into its walls. From the Alcazaba and the palaces, Patio of the Lions, the Justice Gate, the building of the Baths, to the Comares Room and the Hall of the Boat. Generalife Summer Palace comes afterwards, with refreshing and floral garden with amazing views over Alhambra. Visiting Time: Due is the most visited monument of Spain booking in advance is required. Daytime (Monday-Sunday): from 8:30 to 14:00/ 14.00 to 20:00 Night Visits (Tuesday-Saturday): from 22:00 to 23:30 h. Address: Real de la Alhambra, s/n, 18009 Granada Granada Mosque Since 2003 is home for an important Arab community. The Mosque is next to the Mirador de San Nicolas, directly opposite the Alhambra Palace. This peaceful space welcomes visiting Muslims to the city. Address: Plaza de San Nicolás, s/n, 18010 Granada Albayzin Muslim Quarters The district of Albaycin is one of the most historic places to visit in Granada. Located on the hill opposite the Alhambra is great for walking among its narrow streets with old Arab houses full of flowers and fontains. The most famous view point of Granada is here, Mirador de San Nicolas offer amaizing views of Alhambra Palace. Address: Plaza de San Nicolás,
Discover Granada Islamic Heritage sites & other must see sights The Alhambra and the Generalife The Alhambra is an UNESCO site dated on 9th century. Its palaces, towers, royal apartments and gardens show the splendour that Granada attained during the Nasrid dynasty. Arabic called «qa’lat al-Hamra’» that means Red Castle because of its reddish walls.
