Alhambra

Alhambra (Arab. The Red Castle, with reference to the bricks of which it is built), the famous palace and stronghold of the Moorish kings of Granada, in Spain, was founded by Mahommed II. about 1273 A.D.. but the gorgeous arabesques that decorate the interior are ascribed to Yusuf I., who died in 1345. Ferdinand of Aragon captured the castle in 1492. The buildings occupy the crest of a hill that overlooks the city of Granada and commands a glorious view. On a neighbouring height stands the Generalife. which was the summer residence of the Moorish kings. The Alhambra has been carefully preserved as the most noble monument in existence of Moorish architecture and decorative art. The two finest halls in the palace are the Court of the Ambassadors and the Court of the Lions, the last of which was admirably reproduced at the Crystal Palace, Sydenham. The Hall of the Abencerrages is the reputed scene of the massacre of that family (A.D. 1484). An earthquake in 1821, and a fire in 1890, did much damage to the structure.