Emirate of Granada

Question 1

The Almohad Retreat

Answer 1

The Almohads who had superseded the
Almoravids in the second part of the 12th C
faced a loose alliance of three Christian
kings Castile, Aragon and Navarre.

Question 2

The al-Hambra Palace Fortress

Answer 2

The name is derived from the
Arabic Al-Hamra (The red),
which refers to the red color
of the earth used to make the
rammed earth walls.
The site had previous
development but was most
actively built under Ibn alAhmar the founder of the
Nasrid dynasty after 1248.

Question 3

The al-Hambra Palace Fortress sites

Answer 3

The site has 3 main sections:
Albaicin – the site of the “old citadel” built by the earlier Zirids
Alhambra – the Nasrid citadel
Generalife (jannat al-arif) – Palace garden-farm retreat

Question 4

Gate of justice

Answer 4

The main entrance to the citadel was through the “Gate of Justice” built by Yusuf I in 1348.
Construction uses the horseshoe arch and thin
flat baked brick. The design has a ramp, and
bent entrance.

Question 5

What is the oldest section in the The al-Hambra Palace Fortress

Answer 5

The oldest section is the Alcazaba that would have been the first residence of Ibn al-Ahmar and was later the barracks for guards. A cistern and bathhouse was located there too.

Question 6

What was the Largest room of The al-Hambra Palace Fortress complex

Answer 6

Throne room and
audience chamber
Views to survey the
countryside

Question 7

Hall of the Great Dome

Answer 7

Square room with 2
chambers covered with a
muqarnas dome