Alhambra << ah LAHM brah or al HAM bruh >> is a famous palace and fortress in Granada , Spain. It was built by the Moors , a Muslim people from northern Africa, between 1248 and 1354. Now a monument, the Alhambra is one of the most elaborate and important examples of Islamic architecture in the Western world.
An outer wall encloses the Alhambra, which occupies 35 acres (14 hectares). Twenty-three towers rise from this wall, which is made of red bricks. Alhambra is an Arabic word meaning the red. Colorful, delicately ornamented plaster moldings cover many of the walls and ceilings of the palace. The Alhambra is also noted for its two courtyards. The Court of the Lions, in particular, is famous for its carved columns, its delicate screens, and its fountain
The Alhambra was the last stronghold of the Moors in Spain . In 1492, it was captured by forces of the Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella .
