The Alhambra

The Alhambra served as the final bastion of Muslim rule in Spain, a legacy that spanned several centuries and culminated in Nasrid rule at the Alhambra from 1236 to 1492. The magnificence of the Alhambra is manifest in the fine art and architecture that is present across the various sections and areas of the Alhambra - one of the best preserved Muslim palaces in the world. Without doubt the Alhambra drew upon the rich art and architectural heritage of Al-Andalus (Muslim Spain) from the Umayyad era which itself developed its own rich traditions in addition to incorporated art and architecture from the €˜Abbasid
state. The sombre exterior of the Alhambra in many respects bemasks the lavish and rich interior of its palaces. This unique work on the Alhambra provides the reader with a very perceptive and highly educational study of the Alhambra not only in regard to art and architecture but also life within the Alhambra in the Muslim era, landscape study, cultural ecology, cultural interaction, military architecture, poetry, colour, sound, water, engineering, the Alhambra after the end of Muslim rule and much else. Written by a qualified specialist historian, archaeologist and educationalist, this work represents an asset to all interested in the Alhambra, Muslim Spain, the heritage of Iberia, art and architectural history and much else including conservation and representation in museums, texts and courses. This unique work is well written and well illustrated with colour photographs, plans and maps throughout.

The Alhambra was the final epicentre of Muslim rule from 1236-1492. Serving as a palace, military barracks, civil service centre, place of receiving ambassadors and family residence the Alhambra served many dierent roles - reflected in its spatial organisation and rich art and architecture - very well brought out throughout this comprehensive and unique study.

Farhat A. Hussain is an internationally renown specialist historian and archaeologist from the UK who has undertaken vast fieldwork across Spain including at the Alhambra. He was educated at various universities including Cambridge. Through his books and lectures at universities and in the public sphere, based upon original research including field projects, Farhat A. Hussain provides a rich, unique and multifaceted education to a worldwide audience. He has written extensively on a range of areas of archaeology and history and is founder of Cultural Interaction Theory & Approach (CITA).