Has anyone been to Paradise?

Question

The Alhambra, I mean (If you don't know what I'm on about please don't answer!).

I've seen a couple of pictures of it and would really like to see it, but I have a couple of questions...

1. Where, exactly, is it? (Eg, where in Spain)

2. How big is the complex? (I'm assuming it's a walled garden)

3. Is it part of a house or larger whole or is it literally just a garden?

Anything you can tell me would be great, thanks

Answer 1

Yes, but I've never been to Me.

Answer 2

It is in Grenada in Spain.
I went when I was in high school.

It is a fascinating place, more of a building than just a walled garden. It was interesting to see the beautiful Moorish architechture and then the spainiards put in a fountain of lions that just looks out of place.

Here's a link about the size etc.
http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/The_Alhambra.html
It was beautiful and I am glad I went but I dont' know that I would call it paradise though.

Answer 3

The Alhambra is in Granada and is an excellent example of Moorish architecture. Go to Andalucia and combine seeing Granada with Sevilla and Cordoba!

Answer 4

I don't know what you're on about, and that means you don't want me to answer. For this reason alone, I will answer:

Chicken leg?
Montage.
Fluffy Puff Marshmallows
The O.C.
Spare a dime?

Answer 5

Read a book 90 min in heaven by Piper

Answer 6

The A l h a m b r a


Almost unrivalled for beauty and architectural splendour, the entire city has been declared a national monument. It lies at the foot of Spain´s mightiest massif, the Sierra Nevada, and on the edge of an extraordinarily fertile plain. A provincial capital with a university and archaepiscopal see, the city is divided by the Darro which runs underground in the city centre. On the right lies Albaicín, the city´s oldest quarter; on the left rises the imposing Alhambra. To the south the city is bordered by the Río Genil into which the Darro flows. This fertile area was already settled in the 5th Century BC and was known as Iliberis in Roman times. The city was founded under the Visigoths, whose domination ended with the Arab victory in 711. 'Elvira' (Granada was just a nearby settlement) was ruled by a viceroy dependent upon Córdoba until the fall of the Caliphate in Córdoba in 1031. During the next two centuries Granada was ruled by the Berber dynasty of the Almoravides and then Berber Almohades, until the first Nasrite king, Mohammed I, established a kingdom in 1241. After the capture of Córdoba by the Christian armies in 1236 the town increased in importance, reaching its brilliant zenith under the rule of the Moorish Nasrites, who were tolerated by the Castilian kings. It was the only surviving bastion of Islam in Spain until the last king of Granada had to relinquish the city to Ferdinand and Isabella at the treaty of Santa Fé in 1491. The famous haumanist Diego Hurtado de Mendoza (1503-75), who was born in Granada, described the capture of the town. In the same way that the Alhambra palace was built during the Nasrite dynasty and a lively cultural environment was able to develop in the densely populated and wealthy city, so too were the new Spanish powers able to enrich Granada with splendid Renaissance and baroque buildings. However, from 1570, following the expulsion of the Moors who had rebelled against the represive measures of Philip II, the economical and historical importance of Granada declined. Vital irrigation systems which were destroyed at the time were not rebuilt until the 20th century. In the 17th century the versatile Granada-born artist, Alonso Cano, who was a painter, sculptor and architect, made an important contributionto the appearance of the town. His buildings were of a stylistic importance which reached beyond the confines of Granada itself. The sculptor Pedro de Mena, who was also born in Granada was Cano´s pupil.




A Tour of the A l h a m b r a

A complex on the high plateau, the Cerro del Sol, which overlooks the town to the south east. It includes the superb palace of Granada´s Moorish kings, which was principally under the Nasrite rulers Yusuf I (1333-54) and Mohammed V (1354-91). Massive towers and gates surround the palace complex emphasizing its fortress-like character; there are also ring walls and the remains of the Alcazaba. The latter was built by Mohammed V in 1238 in a shimmering red stone, which led to the description 'Calat Alhambra' (Red Castle). From the top of the Torre de la Vela, which is 29 meters (87 ft.) high, you get a panoramic view over the Sierra Nevada. The road up into the Alhambra park passes through the Puerta de las Granadas, a triumphal arch decorated with three pomegranates, and designed by Pedro Machuca. To the right, on Monte Mauror, the 12th century Torres Bermejas can be seen; this is part of the fortification linking with the Alcazaba. Walking through the wood you come to the Puerta de la Justicia, built by Yusus I in 1348. Above the gate´s first horseshoe arch there is a carved hand to symbolize defence against evil. The second horseshoe arch is decorated with many Arab inscriptions. There are beautiful blue and green azulejos. After four right-angled bends (for reasons of defence), you come to the entrance to the Alhambra Palace itself. Nearby the Renaissance fountain (1545) dates from the time of Charles V and is the work of Pedro Machuca. The 14th century Puerta del Vino leads to the Plaza de los Aljibes (square of wells). The 'Gate of Wine' displays the Nasrites´ artistic style to great advantage. To the west of the square there are the former buildings of the Alcazaba; to the east there is the Palace of Charles V and to the north the Palacio Árabe (the Alhambra Palace). The Alcazaba is enclosed by ramparts; several of its towers survive. The Torre de la Vela is the most significant one, dominating a magnificent panorama of the city and surrounding areas. Also of interest are the Torre del Homenaje (Keep), Torre Quebrada and Torre del Adarguero. Puerta de la Tahona,in the tower of the same name, affords access to the royal palaces. The Mexuar palace was originally given over to administrative and judicial affairs; and the Royal Council used to meet here. Although now in a deficient state of repair, the main section is a hall centred around four columns and a modern fountain; this was used as a chapel from the 18th century until the 20th. The north facade serves as a portico for the Cuarto Dorado ('Golden Room'). The facade on the other side of the Mexuar is called the Serrallo front, its artistic eaves are remarkable. After the Serrallo facade, the visitor will reach the Patio de los Arrayanes ('Court of Myrtles'), also known as Patio de la Alberca, del Estanque or de los Mirtos, with a magnificent pool in the centre. Its arches are semicircular, with a voussoired structure. Special mention should be made of the wooden ceiling in the north gallery and the alabaster lamp-stands, with ceramics at the back, located in the jambs of the doorway. The Sala de la Barca is between the portico and the Throne Room; its name derives from the inverted hull of a boat that adorns the ceiling. The Salón de Embajadores ('Ambassadors´ Hall'), also known as de Comares, is next, this was the centre of political and diplomatic life. Although it was once superbly decorated, it now retains only its artistic architectural design. Continuing towrads the baths, the visitor will reach the Patio de la Reja ('Court of the Ruling') with its fountain and cypress trees. Next to it is the Jardín de Lindaja ('Lindaraxa´s Garden'), which does not correspond to the moorish period, but dates from the 16th century. It was designed to embellish the courtyard onto which Charles V´s room gave. A post-Reconquest fountain, with an Arab basin, stands in the centre. The Baños Reales ('Royal Baths') are next to Lindaraxa´s Garden. They display polychromatic decoration, predominately blue, green, gold and red in the main room, where there is also a small 16th century fountain. The Royal Baths comprise three further sections. The Tocador de la Reina ('Queen´s Boudoir') is between the Ambassadors´Hall and the Harem. This room was built for the Empress Isabella and displays outstanding fresco paintings on the walls. By the door to one of the Emperor´s rooms there is a tablet recalling that Washington Irving, the author of The Alhambra, stayed there. The artistically decorated Sala de los Ajimeces ('Hall of Mullioned Windows') id the first of the rooms making up the Harem, its ceiling was restored in the 16th century. The Sala de las Dos Hermanas ('Hall of the Two Sisters') is beyond 'Lindaraxa´s Balcony', Boabdil´s mother lived here after being repudiated by Muley Hacén. The decoration is superb, and the dome, of harmonious proportions. The name of the Patio de los Leones ('Court of Lions') is due to the twelve figures of lions supporting the fountain in the centre. This rectangular courtyard, built in the reign of Mohammed V, is surrounded by a gallery supported by 124 elegant white marble columns. The Sala de los Reyes, also called de la Justicia ('Hall of Kings/Justice'), lies to the east of the Court of Lions. It was a Christian church from the time that the royal mosque disappeared until the construction of the church of Santa María de la Alhambra, and is adorned by a painting of ten Moorish kings assembled in a meeting. The Sala de los Abencerrajes ('Hall of the Abencerrages') is another important room, it seems that all the children of Muley Abul Hassan were executed here when he married Zoraida. The last room in the Harem is the Sala de los Mocárabes (mocárabe - carpenter´s design of interlaced prisms), which now display baroque decoration on the ceiling.



Other interesting sights include the remains of the Alhambra´s royal cemetery, the Partal or Torre de las Damas ('Ladies Tower'), and the towers known as de los Picos (named after its pointed crenellations), del Cadí ('of the Judge'), de la Cautiva ('of the Prisoner') and de las Infantas ('of the Princesses'),the Generalife Gardens Palacio de Carlos V, Museo Nacional de Arte Hispano-Musulman ('The National Museum of Hispano-Muslim Art'), Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes ('The Fine Arts Museum of the Province'), The Alcazaba, The Royal Palaces and The Church of Santa Maria of the Alhambra.

Answer 7

Yes Amsterdam .its got everything i like

Answer 8

yes i been to paradise. matter of fact i am there about every night. well should i say he is there every night. cant go into too much more detail

Answer 9

Only when I'm in Texas!

Answer 10

but atleast i know what i,m about and no harm in trying.