| Top rated - Spain |
View of Alhambra from the Science Park of GranadaThe city of Granada in the foreground and the Alhambra palace and the Sierre Nevada mountains in the background. 
(11 votes)
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Details of the outer decoration and architecutre of the MezquitaMosque is "Mezquita" in spanish. It was built and used as a mosque, but is now used as a Cathedral. The name of the building is simply the Mezquita due to this. It serves as the offical Cathedral of Granada, and is also known as the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption. The architecture dates back to the 8th century. Most of the archiect of the original mosque is still preserved, including the mihrab wall. But there have also been done some huge changes, to make it a cathedral.
(3 votes)
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Ruins of the city Medinat az ZahraAbd al-Rahman III, one of the most powerful rulers of Moorish Spain, ordered the building of this city in 929. When finished, it was the largest city to be built from scratch in Western Europe. It consisted of 400 houses, 300 baths, a mosque, zoo, fortress and luxurous gardens. This magnificent city was left in ruins after approx 80 years, by the Almoravids. The ruins only cover 10% of the original city's extention. The city was named after Abd al-Rahman's favourite wife, some even say it was a gift to her. The city is situated approx 5 km from Cordoba.
(3 votes)
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Instructors holding a falcon and an owl
(8 votes)
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People resting and waiting to enter the Nasrid Palace, just outside the Charles V PalaceWhen you buy a ticket, you get a half hour time frame in which you have to enter the Nasrid Palace. If you don't, your ticket for the Nasrid Palace is void. The Nasrid Palace is the best part of the Alhambra Palace, is therefore visited and enjoyed the most. The time frame is used, to prevent huge number of people being at the Nasrid Palace at the same time. Once you enter the Nasrid Palace within the time frame, you can stay as long as you want.
(5 votes)
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Details of the outer decoration and architecutre of the MezquitaMosque is "Mezquita" in spanish. It was built and used as a mosque, but is now used as a Cathedral. The name of the building is simply the Mezquita due to this. It serves as the offical Cathedral of Granada, and is also known as the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption. The architecture dates back to the 8th century. Most of the archiect of the original mosque is still preserved, including the mihrab wall. But there have also been done some huge changes, to make it a cathedral.
(5 votes)
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A grave of a minister within the Cathedral of SevilleThe Seville Cathedral is one of the largest churches in the world, and the largest Gothic building in Europe. The Cathedral was built on the site of an Almohad Mosque. The only thing that remains from the mosque is the orange garden and the minaret. The Christians did put a bell tower on top of the minaret though. There are no stairs in this minaret, but ramps (34 levels). The reason for this, was to give the muezzin (the person calling for prayer) the possibility to ride his horse up and down the minaret. The minaret is called "la Giralda" (named after the weather vane on its summit).
(6 votes)
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MusicThe Science Park has an exhibition to show the visitors the level of technology, knowledge and science the Moors had developed or had available in the "dark middle ages".
The Moors introduced the following musical instruments into Europe: the lute (ud), psaltery (qanun), viol (rabab), flute (nai), horn or trumpet (nafir), tambourine (duff) and the kettledrum or drum (tabl), etc. The most popular and original musician in al-Andalus was Ziryab (c 9th). He was responsible for adding the fifth string to the classical lute. Musical instruments were made by specialist carpenters.
(4 votes)
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| Random files - Spain |
View from the "minaret" (La Giralda) of the Cathedral of SevilleThe Seville Cathedral is one of the largest churches in the world, and the largest Gothic building in Europe. The Cathedral was built on the site of an Almohad Mosque. The only thing that remains from the mosque is the orange garden and the minaret. The Christians did put a bell tower on top of the minaret though. There are no stairs in this minaret, but ramps (34 levels). The reason for this, was to give the muezzin (the person calling for prayer) the possibility to ride his horse up and down the minaret. The minaret is called "la Giralda" (named after the weather vane on its summit).
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The courtyard of the Royal Alcazar residence in SevilleReal Alcazar (from arabic: al-qasr, meaning palace) de Seville was a royal residence. It looks plain from the outside, but judging from the inside it is a good substitue for those who have not been at the Alhambra. The palace shows mudejar architecture, Christian architecture employing Arab motifs and elements, at its best. It is an UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the oldest royal residences in Europe. Most of the modern Alcázar was built over Moorish ruins for King Pedro of Castile (also known as Pedro the Cruel) with construction beginning in 1364. The palace still have a distinct Islamic design, due to the fact that Pedro used Moorish workers to build his palace.
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Details of the Royal Alcazar residence in SevilleReal Alcazar (from arabic: al-qasr, meaning palace) de Seville was a royal residence. It looks plain from the outside, but judging from the inside it is a good substitue for those who have not been at the Alhambra. The palace shows mudejar architecture, Christian architecture employing Arab motifs and elements, at its best. It is an UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the oldest royal residences in Europe. Most of the modern Alcázar was built over Moorish ruins for King Pedro of Castile (also known as Pedro the Cruel) with construction beginning in 1364. The palace still have a distinct Islamic design, due to the fact that Pedro used Moorish workers to build his palace.
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Mosque-ish architecture in the MezquitaMosque is "Mezquita" in spanish. It was built and used as a mosque, but is now used as a Cathedral. The name of the building is simply the Mezquita due to this. It serves as the offical Cathedral of Granada, and is also known as the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption. The architecture dates back to the 8th century. Most of the archiect of the original mosque is still preserved, including the mihrab wall. But there have also been done some huge changes, to make it a cathedral.
Look up, and you are certain that you are in a mosque. Look down, and you understand that you're not in a mosque anyways....
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Details of a wall in the hall of Abencerrajes in the Palace of LionsThe palace of lions has its name from the fountain which is supported by the statues of 12 lions. This fountain is found in the middle of the patio, which is surrounded by a number of different halls. The private chambers of the royal family were situated in the palace of lions. This palace is very much influenced by Christians, due to the close friendship between Muhammed V and the Christian king Pedro I. The palace of lions is where the art achieved its greatest degree of magnificence. The beauty of this palace shows sensibility and harmony. Light, water, colours and exquisite decoration turn this palace into a marvellous pleasure for the senses.
The knights of Abencerrajes were executed in this hall, and is therefor named after this event.
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A wall with windows, between two different gardens in the Generallife part of AlhambraThe Generallife name comes from Arabic, Jannat al Arif, Garden of the Architect. This was the country estate of the king, where he liked to go to when he wanted to rest. This is a poetical-religious symbolism referring to Allah, as the architect and creator of the universe. The gardens found in here are still watered according to the old customs, and the same type of vegetables are grown here, as in the old Nasrid time.
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A wall with windows in one of many gardens in the Generallife part of Alhambra. The rest of Alhambra is visible through the windowThe Generallife name comes from Arabic, Jannat al Arif, Garden of the Architect. This was the country estate of the king, where he liked to go to when he wanted to rest. This is a poetical-religious symbolism referring to Allah, as the architect and creator of the universe. The gardens found in here are still watered according to the old customs, and the same type of vegetables are grown here, as in the old Nasrid time.
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Granada and Sierra Nevada, as seen from the Science Park of Granada
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