Curious Facts: Alhambra

Overlooking the Spanish city of Granada lies the Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the highest achievements of Islamic architecture. Originally built as an Islamic palatial city, the complex later became a royal residence for Spain’s monarchs. With its intricate tilework, grand scale, and awe-inspiring ceiling details, the Alhambra is one of Spain’s greatest cultural marvels. Dive into the centuries-long history of this incredible site—and how World Monuments Fund (WMF) is working to ensure the site's wellbeing for generations to come.

The Alhambra’s name comes from the Arabic word for red.

The complex was first inhabited by the Nasrids, a Muslim dynasty that ruled southern Spain for over 200 years, until King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella established Catholic control of the region in 1492. The site was referred to as al-hamra, or “the red one,” owing to the rust-colored tint of the earthen walls. 

The Alhambra has fascinated artists and writers for centuries.

From Tales of the Alhambra by “Rip Van Winkle” author Washington Irving to artist M.C. Escher’s dizzying tessellations to the compositions of Spanish guitarist Manuel de Falla, the fortress has long been a source of inspiration for painters, writers, musicians, and other visitors. Its dramatic views, lush gardens, and elaborate geometries have allowed Alhambra to continue inspiring successive generations of artists.

The Alhambra’s architects designed built-in cooling systems to keep the palace a pleasant temperature year-round.

To protect its royal residents from the punishing Andalusian sun, the Alhambra’s engineers employed techniques inherited from Islamic architectural traditions. Building thick exterior walls and limiting the amount of light that could enter the interior spaces both helped prevent rooms from overheating. Passive ventilation systems were also designed to draw air through the building. Additionally, the many pools and fountains in the Alhambra’s courtyards create a sensation of coolness while adding to the complex’s beauty.

The Alhambra is one of Spain’s biggest tourist destinations. However, heavy visitor traffic has also posed conservation challenges.

The Alhambra draws more than 2.6 million visitors from around the world each year. Visitor numbers show no sign of slowing down: in 2023, the complex broke its previous annual visitation record and summer foot traffic increased by over 6% increase, as compared to summer 2022. Thanks to well-planned visitor management, Alhambra’s many tourists report a high level of satisfaction and cause minimal wear and tear to the monument.

WMF has supported conservation at the Alhambra for over two decades.

WMF has supported the conservation of the Alhambra and the nearby historic city of Albaicín for more than 20 years, and the president of WMF Spain is the only member of the Alhambra’s board of trustees who is not a politician or civil servant.

WMF also contributed to the Alhambra’s Oratorio del Partal, a small, richly decorated pavilion that was once used by the sultan for private prayer. This painstaking work, completed in partnership with the Junta de Andalucia, earned the prestigious Europa Nostra Grand Prix in 2019. We are currently working on preliminary studies for the restoration of the Comares tower, the complex’s iconic throne hall.

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World Monuments Fund safeguards cultural heritage around the globe, ensuring our treasured places are preserved for present and future generations. 

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World Monuments Fund's work at Alhambra has been made possible, in part, by support from The Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust, the Danny Kaye and Sylvia Fine Kaye Foundation, and American Express.