A Brief History of the Alhambra: From Muslim Stronghold to UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Alhambra hill is first mentioned in historical records during the reign of the Zirid dynasty.

The Nasrid dynasty, the last Muslim dynasty in Spain, takes control of the Alhambra hill and begins construction of the fortress and palace complex.

The Alhambra’s first ruler, Mohammed I, oversees the construction of the Alcazaba, the fortress that forms the oldest part of the complex.

Yusuf I and his son Mohammed V oversee the construction of much of the palace complex, including the Court of Lions, the Hall of the Ambassadors, and the Comares Tower.

The Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, conquer the city of Granada and the Alhambra becomes the royal court of the Christian Kingdom of Granada.

Charles V orders the construction of the Palace of Charles V within the Alhambra complex.

The Alhambra falls into disrepair and is largely abandoned until the Romantic Era, when it is rediscovered by European travellers and restored by Spanish architects.

Washington Irving, an American writer, publishes his book Tales of the Alhambra.

The book was a collection of stories and legends set in and around the Alhambra, and it helped to create a romanticised image of the site in the popular imagination.

A major restoration effort is undertaken by Spanish architects, including Rafael Contreras and Leopoldo Torres Balbás, who carry out repairs to the buildings and gardens of the Alhambra.

Spanish architect and archaeologist, José Contreras, leads a major restoration effort that involves the reconstruction of several sections of the Alhambra, including the Mexuar Palace and the Alhambra’s main entrance.

The Alhambra is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A major restoration project is launched to repair and conserve the famous Nasrid Palaces, including the Court of the Lions and the Hall of the Abencerrajes.

A new visitor centre is opened to provide visitors with information about the history and architecture of the site.

The Alhambra installs a solar energy system to generate clean energy and reduce its carbon footprint. The system consists of more than 2,500 solar panels and is expected to provide 30% of the site’s energy needs.

As the world shuts down, the Alhambra is closed to visitors for several months as part of Spain’s efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19.

When the site reopens to the public, new safety measures are put in place, including mandatory mask-wearing, reduced capacity, and increased sanitation procedures.

The Alhambra continues to implement safety measures to protect visitors and staff during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

The site also begins to explore new ways to enhance the visitor experience, including the use of virtual reality and other digital technologies.