Alhambra (Ar. Kal'-al-hamrah, the red castle), a suburb of Granada, fortified in the strongest manner known to the middle ages, capable of containing 40,000 men, and enclosing the exquisite remains of a Moorish palace, whose beauties have been celebrated by all travellers, and admirably illustrated by the pen of Washington Irving. Situated in the midst of noble woods, surrounded by gardens, and built with sumptuousness and yet with taste, this beautiful spot contained everything that could contribute to the security and gratification of the Granadian princes. The Hall of Lions is the grand apartment of the palace; it is so called from a splendid fountain supported by lions, and is entirely constructed of marble and alabaster, and ornamented with the most delicate fretwork and arabesques. The Hall of the Abencerrages is still more beautiful. The ceiling is of cedar wood, inlaid with mother-of-pearl, ivory, and silver; and the walls are stuccoed and ornamented with arabesques of the most elegant and intricate design. The colors still retain their brilliancy, and the delicate filigree and tracery are in perfect order, after a lapse of 500 years.

The principal building was begun by Ibn al-Ahmar in 1248, and finished by his grandson Mohammed III. about 1314, but the principal decorator was Yusuf I. Since the Castil-ian conquest of Granada it has undergone a series of disfigurements almost, without interruption. Charles V. modernized some of its most characteristic portions in order to fit it for his own residence. Successive governors afterward pillaged it. The French blew up eight of the towers and tried to demolish the whole; and it is only within ten years that the remains have received intelligent care. The palace is now under the charge of a governor and a number of invalid soldiers. The Al-hambra style is reproduced in a particular court in the crystal palace at Sydenham; and Owen Jones has published a work richly illustrated on the ornamentation and architecture of the Alhambra.