Written by: Allyson Flavin
I have only been to an Islamic Mosque once, and it was absolutely beautiful. The mosque I have previously visited, however, is only a spec compared to the grandeur and intricate designs the Alhambra keeps within its walls. Designs flow from one room to another while holding a structure and order within the palace. I could not believe the creativity the architects had for such a vast space. When it came to geometric designs there was no end to different curves or angles, each one having a specific meaning. The Muslims of the 13th century (and far before in other places) were able to use Arabic within the walls of the Alhambra as additional decoration. Yet to say decoration, is misleading, and ultimately downplays the role of the architecture. Every single part of the Alhambra was meticulously thought out, and it shows. Everything was bursting with meaning as well as history of the Muslim Kingdom.
When walking through the halls of the Alhambra, I could easily envision the commotion that may have flowed through the palace back in the 13th century. The palace did not seem like a distant memory, but welcoming. The running water swayed throughout organized stone paths, while the greenery would sprout within designated areas. The intriguing relationship between the wildness of the earth, and the man-made stone structures, did not feel out of place, but at perfect balance. Throughout the centuries, the curators of the historical sites were able to maintain the original structure of most of the areas, but some were left to nature. For the places that were taken over by greenery, they were not jarring in the slightest. The grass grew through the cracks of stone, disregarding the order, but it felt as if it was a natural next-step. The Muslims of Granada already had welcomed the earth within the doors of their palace, so for it —to not over-power, but merge— with the man-made structures felt like a natural evolution.
The garden captures the balance of earth and stone to an even further extent. The water continued to flow and provide nutrients for all the plants and animals in the vicinity. Far more wild-life was present within this summer home. Multiple birds flew from tree-to-tree trying to find food or a mate for the spring. Fish swam in the ponds, and I was able to notice a single frog croaking on a lily pad. When walking around the beautiful greenery, I had to only take one picture as no angle or lack of sunlight could make the garden undesirable.
With all the tourists (including us) that ventured through the Alhambra in its entirety, it did not take away from the calm serenity of the entire place. A sense of strength and understanding flowed through the water-ways and palace corridors. Intelligence was also evident within the historical site. The walls themselves demonstrate the Muslim’s understanding of geometry as well as how one could carve stone. It is not only remarkable to see the intricate designs of the walls up close and personal within the Alhambra, but also that such beauty has survived so long. The palace is so well kept it is easy to imagine what it once was. To drift into your mind and understand the history at a personal level.
