An Essay About The Alhambra

The Dome of the Rock is constructed with a wood structure encased with marble and stone mosaics. The octagonal plan has a large central space which is separated with two surrounding ambulatories. Supporting the tall cylindrical dome is four masonry piers and twelve Corinthian columns. With tie beams separating columns from their capitals, is twenty-four Corinthian columns and piers in an alternating pattern mimicking the central circle support. The interior of this space is embellished lavishly with veined marble, gilded glass, and coloured stone. On lower half of the arcades are fitted marble with intricate patterns as above is decorative with mosaics of trees, plants, fruits, jewels (such as breast plates and necklaces), chalices and crowns. The gold gilded wood dome is decorated with red and gold floral

Spain has the most formidable castles in the world. Spain has more than 1000 Spanish castles recorded through history. The castles were built for various reasons. However, the primary reason was to stop the Arabs when they invaded Spain in 711. The Spanish built so many of them in fact. These castles were mostly concentrated in the northern part which was where the Arabs advanced when they attacked. And when the Spanish military moved to reconquer the peninsula towards the south, they built additional strongholds to prevent the Arabs from reclaiming Spain. These castles were known as Castilla.

Two buildings, the Hagia Sophia and the Great Mosque of Cordoba, can show us two separate peoples and their approach to constructing architecture that was devoted to their religions. However, while religion played a huge role, there are similarities as well between the two that show that the rulers who commissioned these buildings were interested in mimicking beauty and showing the world that their building was the most beautiful and perhaps the most elite of its time as well as proving their divinity as a ruler of a great nation.

The most beautiful building among these is the Mosque. The Mosque was built in early 1990's and is American built, almost entirely by local architects and local artists. There is a fountain in front of the Mosque and a second fountain inside the vestibule. These fountains have come from as far away as Egypt, Syria and Saudi Arabia and are merely for decoration though in older times fountains were used for washing before prayer.

Castles, palaces, and cathedrals are scattered across Europe. Each one possesses unique characteristics and architecture bearing resemblance of their time. Some castles incorporate Greek influence, roman or gothic influence in design. Other castles and palaces are surrounded by sculptures outside in the courtyard or include sculptures worshiped as an altarpiece. While any one of these things would serve to make an ordinary castle more elaborate there is one palace that possesses all of these: The Palace of Versailles in France. The Palace of Versailles has managed to incorporate classic architecture, exquisite sculptures, and amalgamated the old design with the newer design trends of the day.

The Moors also built atalayas, or watchtowers and rock castles that served as part of the defense system for the castle. The watchtowers were used as communication devices for castles that were great distances apart. The watchtowers would signal the castle in case of an enemy attack by using smoke and mirrors. They built rock castles, or small defense castles high on rocks, using the natural terrain to the maximum effect. Since the rock castles were small they did not house many soldiers.

John Young and Isaac Davis built the first ‘Western style’ building, Kailua-Kona, in Hawaii in 1795. Afterwards, three more brick palaces were constructed in Lahaina. These designs were very much like the Lahaina prison shown in previous pages. Even though Western brick houses slowly became predominant, “traditional grass hale were still prevalent, though adobe and coral block houses were also being built near Honolulu harbor” (“Hawaii History”).

The idea of courtyard goes back to Neolithic Times. It was conceived for such needs as providing protection from natural forces : weather, wild life or human invasions. Later on, it was transformed in functional architecture that can be characterized by its design, structure and environment uses. Apart from its climatic functions, the cultural aspect has the same importance.

Finally in 1491 the citadel surrendered and evacuated the Alhambra in 1492 to Ferdinand and Isabella. It is at this point that the palaces begin to fall prey to the new owners who like the old ones wished to place their own mark on the complex. And though it is important to note the changes the new monarchs implemented it still depresses me to think that only 3 of the original 7 palisades are still standing in the Moorish style. However it is not solely do to the two original Christian monarch who destroyed the palaces and much of the Moorish infrastructure. Ferdinand and Isabella built their own quarters within the existing Medina as well as destroying many of the plaster roofs and replacing them with a more traditional style roof emblazoned with their sigil in the “Sala de los Mocárabes.” But these changes are very superficial compared to what Charles V decided to construct next to the Nasrid palaces. Once he gained the throne Charles V originally wanted the capital of Spain to be in Granada, and as such as ruler he wished to construct his own palace that usurped the old rooms in size and style. So in 1526 building commenced on his palace which was meant to emulate the Pantheon. However midway through the construction of his palace he

Spain has a rich history on Roman ruins. For example, the Calat Alhambra was built as a small palace but was left abandoned. In the 13th century, Muhammed ben Al-Amar rebuilt it and later in 1333 Yusuf I turned it into a royal palace. Mid-1500s came and Alhambra was abandoned again but was never destroyed. The Calat Alhambra went through the Spanish War of Independence and later ended up being “declared a national monument”.

elegance, and color. The structure is an octagonal exterior wall placed under a golden dome. The

I have not had the fortune to travel to many places, but did not really need to in order to write about one of my favorite places. I have chosen to write about Vizcaya, a place in which I have personally been able to experience and enjoy many times throughout my life. Although Vizcaya was constructed in what would be considered modern times, Vizcaya’s Gardens were inspired and designed in a European Renaissance style. Its formal gardens and design are reminiscent of Italian home and garden design of the late 15th to 18th century, influenced by Veneto and Tuscan Italian Renaissance. These splendid gardens are very formal and orderly, created for the environment of the user. They are very symmetrical and include all sorts of fascinating elements

The Calat Alhambra is stationed in Granada the history goes back for more than 1,100 years. In 889 the Alhambra was built as a small fortress and palace but later on it was abandoned. In the 13th century the Alhambra was rebuilt by Muhammad be Al-Amar who was a Moorish Emir for the Emirate of Granada. 1333 the sultan of Granada , Yusuf I turned the Alhambra into a royal palace and construction was completed by Muhammed V and stayed a place for the Muslims use until 1492 when it became use to the Christian court. In mid-1500s the Alhambra was abandoned but it was never tore down. During the Spanish war in the 1800s Napoleon’s army took control of the Alhambra and use for barrack. When the soldiers were leaving they destroyed it by putting bombs in towers. In 1870 the Alhambra was declared a national monument and also led to UNESCO as a world Heritage site in

Abomey was once the capital of Ancient Dahomey. The main highlight here is that this is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Abomey Royal Palaces. Even though most of the palaces are now in ruins there is still much to be seen. It is home to 12 palaces. The surviving palaces of Ghezo and Glele form the Historical Museum of Abomey, which features bas-reliefs on the palace walls and a throne mounted on human

From the observation tower the horizontal building’s three parallel bands can be seen that extend into the lush landscape. The architects’ concept was to immerse the museum in nature by creating a set of three bracketed pavilions under one roof surrounded by gardens. The roof can be seen as