La Giralda: A harmonious blend of Moorish and Renaissance architectural styles

A view of the Seville Cathedral from Las Setas of Seville, Spain

The magnificent campanile of the Seville Cathedral When you look at the Giralda, it is hard to imagine that it is a product of two entirely different cultures. The lower half is part of the minaret built in the 13th century by the Almohads – a Moorish dynasty originated from North Africa. The upper half … Read more

Generalife

A view of the Generalife from the Alhambra in Granada, Spain

Heavenly Gardens of the Nasrids Located on Cerro del Sol (Sun Hill), a hill adjoining the Alhambra, the Generalife is a complex consisting of beautiful gardens, orchards, and a palace used by the Nasrid kings as a leisure residence, especially during summer. Derived from the Arabic word Jannat al-‘Arīf, Generalife means an architect’s garden. Inspired … Read more

Alhambra: Gardens of the Partal

Torre de las Damas (Tower of the Ladies), a building with an open portico located in the Partal Gardens, Alhambra, Granada, Spain

Located between the Medina (i.e., city) and the Nasrid Palaces, the area covered by the present Gardens of the Partal was mostly residential during the Nasrid era. Because of the convenient location, the people who worked in the palaces lived in this area. Medina, which had shops, baths, and mosques, was nearby and met their daily … Read more

Alhambra: Palacios Nazaríes (Nasrid Palaces)

Courtyard of the Lions inside the Nasrid Palaces in the Alhambra, Granada, Spain

A Shining Example of Moorish Art and Architecture Known for the grandeur and unique Islamic art, the Palacios Nazaríes (Nasrid Palaces) is a complex of interconnected palaces built by the Nasrids, a powerful dynasty originated in North African and ruled the Emirate of Granada over a period of 260 years. Besides using the palaces as … Read more

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