The Eternal Symmetry of the Alhambra

The Alahambra in Granada has a history going back to the 11th century. It was a Zirid fortress, then a 13th and 14th century Nasrid royal palace and fortress complex. Like all Nasrid palaces, it’s a harmonious blend of space, light, and water, featuring intricate decorations and inscriptions, and it’s quite wonderful. Despite the crowds and the selfie-seekers, one of whom is immortalised below. We couldn’t get rid of her.

But in 1492 (the same year, as any English schoolchild knows, that ‘Columbus sailed the ocean blue‘), Catholic monarchs captured Granada, the last bastion of Moorish rule in Spain. It became a royal court for some time before falling into disrepair, was damaged by Napoleon’s troops, and was eventually discovered by 19th century Romantic travellers. Rediscovered, restored, it’s now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Here’s some decorative detail. Also symmetrical.

And so it’s here I’ve come to celebrate symmetry for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness, hosted this week by Dawn of The Day After. We visited in 2019.

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Author: margaret21

I'm retired and live in North Yorkshire, where I walk , write, volunteer and travel as often as I can.

50 thoughts on “The Eternal Symmetry of the Alhambra”

  1. Such beautiful examples of symmetry, Margaret. Arabic culture does not like representational art or decorations (when we moved to Saudi we got a pamphlet from customs with all the things we were forbidden to bring – amongst other things it read: Forbidden: Representations of animals and other pornography. – OTHER PORNOGRAPHY, seriously!) but the decorations they come up in lieu are beautiful and very often, symmetrical. You captured the fascination of the Alhambra beautifully.

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    1. Yes, I got quite entranced with the beauty of buildings so highly decorated with non-representational art. But here in this house, we have quite a lot of – well, pornography apparently, up on our walls. Thanks Elke!

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  12. Wonderful set of images, Margaret! Selfie seekers irritate me beyond measure, but that single image that you have isn’t too horrendous…. And I think you’ve forgiven her. I love Moorish architecture, but sadly never got to the Alhambra. Thoroughly enjoyed the Real Alcazar in Seville and the Mezquita at Cordoba

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  18. As others have already said, these work very well in B&W. Must be 23 years since my visit with a very pregnant daughter who huffed and puffed up the hill – we foolishly walked there from the railway station. We did taxi back! It’s a fabulous place.

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