Spanish and Portuguese Physical Geography

The Columbia Encyclopedia,... The Oxford Companion to... A Dictionary of Architecture... World Encyclopedia Further reading

Alhambra

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

Alhambra [Arab.,=the red], extensive group of buildings on a hill overlooking Granada, Spain. They were built chiefly between 1230 and 1354 and they formed a great citadel of the Moorish kings of Spain. After the expulsion of the Moors in 1492, the structures suffered mutilation, but were extensively restored after 1828.

The Alhambra is a true expression of the once flourishing Moorish civilization and is the finest example of its architecture in Spain. It comprises remains of the citadel, the so-called palace of the kings, and the quarters once used by officials. The halls and chambers surround a series of open courts, which include the Court of Lions containing arcades resting on 124 white marble columns. The interior of the building is adorned sumptuously with magnificent examples of the so-called honeycomb and stalactite vaulting; its walls and ceilings are decorated with geometric ornamentation of minute detail and intricacy, executed with surpassing skill in marble, alabaster, glazed tile, and carved plaster.

Bibliography: See W. Irving, Legends of the Alhambra (1832); A. F. Calvert, The Alhambra (1907); S. Desmond, ed., The Alhambra (1974); O. Grabar, The Alhambra (1978).

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"Alhambra." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Alhambra." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-AlhambSp.html

"Alhambra." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-AlhambSp.html

Learn more about citation styles

Alhambra

The Oxford Companion to American Literature | 1995 | | Copyright

Alhambra, The, 41 sketches by Irving, published in 1832 and revised and enlarged in 1852, the result of the author's residence (1829) in the ancient Moorish palace at Granada in Spain. His purpose was “to depict its half Spanish, half Oriental character; …to revive the traces of grace and beauty fast fading from its walls; to record the regal and chivalrous traditions …and the whimsical and superstitious legends of the motley race now burrowing among its ruins.” Tales of medieval Moorish Spain are interspersed with architectural and other descriptions, and anecdotes of the author's experiences among the native residents.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Alhambra." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Alhambra." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O123-Alhambra.html

James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Alhambra." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O123-Alhambra.html

Learn more about citation styles

Alhambra

A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture | 2000 | | Copyright

Alhambra.
1. One of the most exquisite, elaborate, and richly ornamented of all Moorish buildings in Spain (mostly 1338–90—it was probably a madrasa rather than a palace), it consists of a series of joined pavilions, with two great courts set at right angles to each other. Channels of water, linking pools with fountains, add to the overall effect of a Paradise on earth.

2. Garden-building in a Moresque style, such as Chambers's ‘Alhambra’ at Kew Gardens (1758), named after the celebrated buildings at Granada.

Bibliography

Blair & and Bloom (1994);
Irwin (2004)

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

JAMES STEVENS CURL. "Alhambra." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JAMES STEVENS CURL. "Alhambra." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-Alhambra.html

JAMES STEVENS CURL. "Alhambra." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-Alhambra.html

Learn more about citation styles

Alhambra

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Copyright

Alhambra Spanish citadel of the sultans of Granada; a world heritage site and major tourist attraction. Standing on a plateau overlooking the city of Granada, s Spain, it is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved examples of medieval Islamic art and architecture. Most of the complex dates from the period of the Nasrid dynasty (1238–1358).

http://www.alhambra-patronato.es

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"Alhambra." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Alhambra." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Alhambra.html

"Alhambra." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Alhambra.html

Learn more about citation styles

Alhambra

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | | Copyright

Alhambra a fortified Moorish palace, the last stronghold of the Muslim kings of Granada, built between 1248 and 1354 near Granada in Spain. It is an outstanding piece of Moorish architecture with its marble courts and fountains, delicate columns and archways, and wall decorations of carved and painted stucco.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Alhambra." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Alhambra." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Alhambra.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Alhambra." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Alhambra.html

Learn more about citation styles

Alhambra

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

Alhambra , city (1990 pop. 82,106), Los Angeles co., S Calif., a suburb E of Los Angeles; inc. 1903. It has iron and aluminum foundries and manufactures fabricated metal products, corrugated boxes, and electronic equipment. The San Gabriel Mts. and Mount Wilson Observatory are nearby.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"Alhambra." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Alhambra." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-AlhambUS.html

"Alhambra." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-AlhambUS.html

Learn more about citation styles

Alhambra

Alhambra •jarrah, para, Tara •abracadabra, Aldabra •Alhambra • Vanbrugh •Cassandra, Sandra •Aphra, Biafra •Niagara, pellagra, Viagra •bhangra, Ingres •Capra • Cleopatra •mantra, tantra, yantra •Basra •Asmara, Bukhara, carbonara, Carrara, cascara, Connemara, Damara, Ferrara, Gemara, Guadalajara, Guevara, Honiara, Lara, marinara, mascara, Nara, Sahara, Samara, samsara, samskara, shikara, Tamara, tiara, Varah, Zara •candelabra, macabre, sabra •Alexandra • Agra • fiacre •Chartres, Montmartre, Sartre, Sinatra, Sumatra •Shastra • Maharashtra • Le Havre •gurdwara •Berra, error, Ferrer, sierra, terror •zebra • ephedra • Porto Alegre •belles-lettres, Petra, raison d'être, tetra •Electra, plectra, spectra •Clytemnestra • extra •chèvre, Sèvres •Ezra

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"Alhambra." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Alhambra." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-Alhambra.html

"Alhambra." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-Alhambra.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

	The Alhambra.(Book review) Magazine article from: The Journal of the American Oriental Society; 7/1/2005
	The Alhambra Magazine article from: The Journal of the American Oriental Society; 7/1/2005
	Economic Alhambra passes the test for safety and comfort.(Features) Newspaper article from: Coventry Evening Telegraph (England); 5/19/2006