Author: Washington Irving Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform ISBN: 9781537146249 Category : Languages : en Pages : 314
Book Description
Rough draughts of some of the following tales and essays were actually written during a residence in the Alhambra; others were subsequently added, founded on notes and observations made there. Care was taken to maintain local coloring and verisimilitude; so that the whole might present a faithful and living picture of that microcosm, that singular little world into which I had been fortuitously thrown; and about which the external world had a very imperfect idea. It was my endeavor scrupulously to depict its half Spanish, half Oriental character; its mixture of the heroic, the poetic, and the grotesque; to revive the traces of grace and beauty fast fading from its walls; to record the regal and chivalrous traditions concerning those who once trod its courts; and the whimsical and superstitious legends of the motley race now burrowing among its ruins.
Author: Robert Irwin Publisher: Profile Books(GB) ISBN: 9781861974877 Category : Alhama de Granada (Spain) Languages : en Pages : 0
Book Description
The Alhambra, the 'red fort' on its rocky hill above Granada, with its fountained courts and gardens, and intricate decoration, has long been a byword for exotic and melancholy beauty. In this title in the 'Wonders of the World' series, Robert Irwin, Arabist and novelist, examines its engrossing and often mysterious history.
Author: Charles River Editors Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform ISBN: 9781546316206 Category : Languages : en Pages : 70
Book Description
*Includes pictures *Includes various contemporary accounts of Alhambra *Includes online resources and a bibliography for further reading "Give him alms, lady, for there is nothing in life as wretched as being blind in Granada." - Francisco Alarcon de Icaza, Mexican poet Tucked away on the crest of the Al-Sabika Hill in Granada of Andalusia, Spain, just left of the babbling stream of the Darro River, sits a majestic structure overlooking the charming city and mystical meadows of La Vega. This palatial fortress and the fabled Alhambra are one and the same. To those that have seen it in its full glory, this was heaven on earth itself. Many were quick to fall under the spell of its breathtaking beauty, with its admirers lovingly dubbing it "a pearl set in emeralds." At one point in time, this place had been decked out with a network of captivating castles, heavenly homes and gorgeous gardens, and a handsome military fortress envied by the city's neighboring kingdoms. This was none other than Alhambra, once so enchanting that a countless number of those who visited the place in its heyday praised it as a true paradise on earth. Today, this historic complex has become the setting and inspiration for a host of books, music, movies, and other works of art and literature, such as Washington Irving's Tales of Alhambra, and Marcel L'Herbier's cinematic masterpiece, El Dorado. A main asteroid belt has even been named after the legendary place. The exquisite work of art continues to be beloved, so much so that a campaign in 2007 attracted an estimated 5,000 hopefuls to the site. There, the thousands laced their fingers together and formed a ring around the spectacular fortress stretching 1.5 miles long, in hopes of cementing the landmark's place among the "New 7 Wonders of the World." Astounding aesthetics aside, the rich tapestry of history that unfolded within the walls of the centuries-old palatial paradise is truly what makes Alhambra one of the classic, timeless gems in all of Europe. Alhambra: The History and Legacy of the Moors' Most Famous Palace in Spain offers a virtual tour of the palace and fortress, and it chronicles Alhambra's history and legacy, including the events that inspired, advanced, and stalled the complex's development throughout the years. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Alhambra like never before.
Author: Michael Jacobs Publisher: Frances Lincoln ISBN: 9780711225183 Category : Travel Languages : en Pages : 192
Book Description
The Alhambra inspires and enchants like no other site. With its fascinating history, romantic locale, intricately decorated rooms, and numerous courtyards and fountains, this endlessly alluring palace-city has captivated visitors since the 13th century. In this book, Michael Jacobs takes a fresh look at the Alhambra and the potent mythology that has grown up around it. He details the history of this spectacular monument — the ruling families who lived in the palaces, the capturing and recapturing of the region, and the sometimes-fanciful tales that surround the Alhambra. Evocative photographs by Francisco Fernández take readers on a virtual journey through the various palaces, government and military buildings, mosques, baths, courtyards, and beautiful ancient gardens that make up this mythical place. A final chapter assesses the literature, art, and architecture the Alhambra has inspired.
Author: Antonio Fernández Puertas Publisher: ISBN: Category : Architecture Languages : en Pages : 538
Book Description
Based on many years of painstaking research and covering eleven centuries of medieval, modern and contemporary history, The Alhambra represents a major contribution to world scholarship. During his research for the book, the author has made some very exciting discoveries. He has, for example, resolved one of the great enigmas of Nasrid art by discovering the geometric proportional system on which the entire Alhambra architecture and decoration are based. The designs are at times so intricate that they baffle even professional mathematicians: Professor Fernaacute;ndez-Puertas has cracked the geometric code and discovered that the marvels of the Alhambra are built on a proportional system that is essentially incommensurable and not based on fixed units like metres or inches. This has involved making hundreds of analytical figures, many of which will be included in the book. Professor Fernaacute;ndez-Puertas is also the first to discover the chronological order in which the Alhambra palaces were built. He has collated much fragmentary information in order to reconstruct a picture of court life within the Alhambra and the personalities of its sultans and poet-viziers. The book thus contains the heart of three centuries of Nasrid art, as well as providing a history of the palatine city from the ninth century to the present day: the pre-Nasrid Alhambra, the Nasrid Alhambra and the Christian Alhambra. Based on many years of painstaking research and covering eleven centuries of medieval, modern and contemporary history, The Alhambra will be the most comprehensive scientific work yet issued on the subject--a work of this order is unlikely to be published again within our lifetime.
Author: Washington Irving
Author: 
Author: Robert Irwin
Author: Charles River Editors
Author: Washington Irving
Author: Washington Irving
Author: Washington Irving
Author: Michael Jacobs
Author: Antonio Fernández Puertas
Author: Washington Irving