#palace complex

[ukdamo]

Today’s Flickr photos with the most hits was taken in Crete: the Throne Room in the Minoan palace at Knossos, with ‘lustral basin’. According to Evans’ interpretation. 

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Κνωσσός,Κρήτη

Knossos,Crete

Knossos is the site of the most important and better-known palace of Minoan civilization. According to tradition, it was the seat of the legendary king Minos. The Palace is also connected with thrilling legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth with the Minotaur and the story of Daedalus and Icarus.

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Alhambra - A Maze of Mystery

Granada’s last proclamation of love to the Moors

The Alhambra palace complex, Granada

On the secluded Sabika hill, by the lavish banks of river Darro, rigorously protected by the brooding Sierra Nevada peaks and surrounded by a dense forest, lies Granada’s last proclamation of love to the Moors. The Alhambra rises majestically over the vast green plains, resembling a magical vision, for it was built to impress! 

This splendid monument with its sturdy and robust outer walls hides a delicate and fragile interior. The emblematic fortified palace started its life as a walled citadel before becoming the opulent seat of Granada’s Nasrid Emirs. Its construction was ordered in the 13th century by the Nasrid Emir Mohammed Ibn Yusuf Ben Nasr, also known as “Al Ahmar”. It is one of the best-preserved palace complexes in the Islamic world and represents Moorish rule in Spain.

Moreover, it was the last Moorish, Muslim state and stronghold in Al Andalus. Alhambra is a construction wonder, so sophisticated that we first now, after 500 years, start to realise, and learn its true potential.

From underground tunnels that snake below the palace’s surface to enigmatic carvings are just now being understood, is Alhambra finally revealing its mysteries?

Alhambra is not just a palace, even though it is often referred to as such, but this place is actually a whole citadel within the city of Granada. It has a complex of different palaces, gardens, passageways, and a fortress. It became the home to the Sultan and his family, as well as the home to the court, and many workers.

The Alhambra is the only extended citadel that still stands today almost as perfectly as it was since the beginning. The colourful name Alhambra originates from the Arabic word; al-Hamrā, which means “the red one”.

There are several reasons for the name, one alludes to the colour of the fortress, which in Arabic is; al-Qal’at al-Hamrā or, “the red fortress”. In addition, the rulers of Alhambra derived from a Berber tribe called al-Ahmar meaning “the red”.

The red palace city is built from Tapia earth, found at the foot of the Sabika hill. The palace complexes got their colour from this red earth, but the surroundings are just as colourful, there is no confusion as to where it got its name.

The old historical path embedded in mystery and a witness to a murder

Wall towers of the Alhambra palace complex, Granada

Having sorted out the origins of the name Alhambra, we can further conclude that this reddish palatial city is beyond the shadow of a doubt a palace of concealed wisdom and ancient secrets, yet to be discovered.

Even though the old historical path of upper Alhambra, leading to the elevated levels of the citadel is commonly known, it is also embedded in mystery and even witnessed an ancient murder.

In the front of the gate ruins, in the oldest part of Alhambra for which any remains have been found, that served as an entryway to the remains of the stone-paved road that once joined the inside of the palace Medina to the outside gates, known as Arrabal. Even though the portal now feels more like a gateway to travel in time, as if it would bring you into the Nasrid’s glorious past.

Here is where the path, scattered with divers towers and named “the promenade of the towers” began. The reason for its name is the fact that this route, which followed the main wall of Alhambra, from the portal gardens to the upper Alhambra passed by a number of towers*. The towers stood out as milestones along the narrow path. The trail started by the tower of the pointed battlements.

*Six of the 30 Towers are named as follows; the tower of pointed battlements, the tower of the Cadí, the captive’s tower, the infant tower, the career corporal’s tower, and the water tower.

The walk intermittently crossed landscaped terraces filled with the Damascus rose, jasmine and trumpet creepers over a fortress wall. From up here, you could also see the pink blossoms and, sometimes if they are blooming, even smell the sweet scent of the crape myrtle trees. It is one of the loveliest views from upper Alhambra.

It was on this same path, somewhere from these altitudes, on the 19th of October 1354, through the dense morning mist that a security guard spotted the young Sultan Yusuf I initiating his daily morning prayer. It was just before daybreak, and even though it was still dark and foggy, he could see from up here how Sultan Yusuf’s bodyguard suddenly launched on the praying Emir with a knife and stabbed him to death, Yusuf was only 33 years old.

It was no coincidence this guard was up here witnessing the murder unfold. In historical times this path was frequented by both guards, military personnel and messengers. The towers served multiple purposes, as accommodation containing bedrooms, as a lookout to guard the inner palace complexes and the outside areas of the citadel from danger, as well as controlling who entered and exited the city.

It also served complex military purposes, but it was also a location for sending and receiving secret mirror messages from far away places. These messages were sent throughout the entirety of al-Andalus forming a complex and sophisticated network of mirror signalling, to exchange information and as an early warning, in case of danger. This practice and way of communication was especially important and vital to the Muslim states in al Andalus during the later periods of its existence.

To receive information as early as possible was key to survival, and the Nasrids rulers of Alhambra were exceptionally progressed and elaborated in these techniques. Alhambra was probably the most advanced of all Moorish states, and as a result of their advancement in the field, they were the last standing Moorish settlement in the Iberian peninsula at the end of the existence of al-Andalus.

The Muslim architects who built the citadel were geniuses, there is no doubt about that. There are plenty of fascinating building surprises hidden in Alhambra. For instance, they used anti-seismic structures in their buildings, well aware that the region was a seismic area. Alhambra was no exception, thanks to its seismic building knowledge it has survived earthquakes for almost 800 years.

They used lead foils in between the columns and the foundations, so whenever there was an earthquake the building followed the movement without collapsing.

The talking walls

Walls of the Alhambra palace carved with calligraphic text.

The walls can talk, not literally, the walls are not exactly going to speak to you, but the walls of Alhambra do have words carved all over them. The enigmatic inscriptions on the walls are a type of calligraphic decoration as well as they rely on a message, in the form of poems that describe parts of the holy Quran. The palace also used water lilies to create scent in its rooms.

Isn’t it amazing how the sabika hill, Sierra Nevada mountain chain and the rest of al Andalus have lived more time listening to Arabic than they have to Spanish?

For almost 800 years, this place witnessed power and love stories from the Muslim Sultans; but has only witnessed Spanish passion for a little over 500 years. But don’t worry if you don’t speak Arabic, there is always someone to ask who can explain the beauty of these phrases to you.

One of the most interesting facts about the Alhambra is that besides being a giant book, it can also tell you what time it is. The truth is that the genius architects surprise us again with yet another amazing feature, the entire palace complex is perfectly aligned to work as a massive sundial. Just by watching the sun and the shadows in the red palace, you will know what time it is.

At noon, half of the rooms will have shade, and the other half sunlight, so choose your visit time wisely!

The chambers of secrets

Whispering galleries can also come to be beneath a dome or vault, like in this lovely decorated ceiling in Alhambra.

The Alhambra does actually have its own “chambers of secrets”, also known as the whispering gallery. The reason for its name is, yet another architectural feature, created in the palace.

The Andalusian builders constructed a curation in the ceiling that made the sound travel from one corner of the room to the other, so be careful what you say and to whom you say it too, and don’t share any secrets while you are there!

Something that any engineer or architect lover realises as soon as they step foot in Alhambra is mathematical precision as the main element of construction. The beauty that you will see in this place is all thanks to minuscule mathematical calculations, and perfect engineering and geometry in the structures, decorations and tiles.

However, the original Muslim architects are said to have left unnoticeable imperfections in the decorations and tiles, as they used to say; 

“only God can do perfect”. 

If you want, you can take on the challenge and try to find some!

A network of tunnels

Tunnel in the Alhambra, Granada

Standing on the beautiful square of “Paseo de los tristes” in Granada, with your back facing the old Arabic neighbourhood of Albaicin, you look up at the forbidden walls of Alhambra, the most iconic Moorish monument in Spain. Beneath you, and separating you from this great 10th-century fortress is the Darro river, which gurgles through central Granada amidst lush banks and under century-old bridges.

If you look closer, set into the steep hillside, beneath a gracefully crumbling old townhouse, are small iron gates almost entirely obscured with grass and ivy. These are the entrances to just a few of what is believed to be an extensive network of underground tunnels linking the Alhambra to Albaicin and the rest of the city.

This secret world beneath one of Spain’s most famous attractions has recently made the Spanish news. Even if the track on the dilapidated bank of the Darro river that faces the paseo de los tristes is open to visits, it is only one month a year and only small groups of visitors are allowed. 

On one hand, this is because of security risks as these deteriorated, badly kept tunnels can pose a danger to the visitors but also the other way around; mass tourism can damage the already old and fragile tunnel system. They seem set to remain shrouded in mystery and legend, and to keep their dark secrets forever.

However, the extended tunnel network that snakes below the glorious palace-city, would in its time, have served several purposes. The enigmatic subterranean pathways consist of at least 21 underground dungeons, meticulously connected to the ancient underground passages. These dungeons were linked to the outside world only by small openings in their ceilings, and they had access to the earlier mentioned labyrinth web. The caverns are believed to have served as storages for, amongst other things, grain, wheat, and other necessities.

As for the entire labyrinth of tunnels; it would have allowed the residents of the palatial city to come and go unseen, especially important during sieges and as a last resort for the Moorish rulers, in need of urgent escape.

The secret underground network of tunnels would prove to be of utmost importance when the Moorish rule came to its end, and the Nasrids lost their grip on power and abruptly faced their downfall. As the 800 years of glorious Moorish rule was over, everyone remaining with a dissimilar opinion to the new re-conquers faced harsh retribution, and was either killed, exiled, or underwent the most horrible torture imaginable. The country entered a very dark and eerie time period, a time that struck terror into the rest of the known world and shook it to its core.

Court of the Lions by night, Alhambra, Granada

The beauty and splendour of the Nasrids palace city is incomparable to anything ever seen. The mathematically calculated architecture combined with the sophisticated fragile artwork, ornated with fine details, rough robust walls and delicately decorated pillars everything is in perfect balance, in a divine harmonic symphony!

Alhambra radiates sophistication, elegance and mystery, a greatness that words fail to describe. A superior jewel beyond comparison. 

But with great beauty comes great pain.

[imperium-romanum]

Homer's legendary town of Iklaina, Tasoula Karaiskaki | Ekathimerini

Iklaina, a major center of the Mycenaean civilization located a few kilometers outside modern-day Pylos, is being transformed into an archaeological park thanks to the efforts of Michael Cosmopoulos, a Greek professor of archaeology at the University of Missouri-St Louis.

By TASOULA KARAISKAKI

“The monumental palace complex of Iklaina, majestic in its well-ordered simplicity, comes as something of a surprise in the hills northeast of the seaside town of Pylos in the southwestern Peloponnese. Gazing over the bay where the Greeks and their allies won a decisive victory for the country’s independence in the Battle of Navarino in 1827, this spacious, organized town, complete with palace, administrative buildings, streets and public squares, is almost the last thing you expect to see among the olive trees. Outside its imposing gates, we see modest homes and workshops that served the town, which was surrounded by cyclopean walls, protecting its luxurious palace and advanced infrastructure.”

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The Magnificent Palace of Knossos in Crete Was Stronghold of the Powerful Minoans

Knossos palace is a spectacular archaeological site which was once the center of the Minoan civilization on the Greek island of Crete.

Knossos palace is a spectacular archaeological site which was once the center of the Minoan civilization on the Greek island of Crete. The site contains a number of ruins from the Minoan period, the most impressive of which is the Great Palace, known also as the Palace of Knossos. Although dubbed a ‘palace’, it is more accurate to refer to it as a ‘palace complex’, as it contained not only structures that would have served as a royal residence, but also those that played an economic, religious, and civil role in the society.

Archaeological evidence suggests that the site of Knossos was occupied by humans as early as the Neolithic period (the 7 th/8th millennium BC). Although human habitation at the site continued in the following millennia, it was only during the Bronze Age, about three/four thousand years later, that the first palace was built.

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Allegiance Visit Places During Jaipur Tours in Rajasthan

Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City of India, is the capital city of the Indian state of Rajasthan. This teasing splendid city was founded whereby Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in the year 1727. Planted on the semi-desert landscape of Rajasthan, Jaipur is on the side one of the rather planned cities of India. Yourselves is not celibate the capital city of the vow but also one of the most sought after explorer destinations in favor the mark and the country insomuch as well. It attracts tourists from all expired the world and provides top brass well-found opportunities so as to cultural and postremogeniture tourism. There are many cultural, unrefuted and heritage sites in this city which attract travelers. Have a bearing at some of the most popular visiting fireman places during Jaipur tours sympathy Rajasthan, India. <\p>

City Palace Complex City Palace is a soaring prize ring complex in the heart about Jaipur city. It is a coddle sought after tourist site in the hundred. This magnificent palace composite houses many beautiful palaces, pavilions, temples and gardens. Chandra Mahal (Bum around Palace), Mubarak Mahal (Welcome Palace), Pitam Niwas Chowk, Diwan-i-khas (Hall of Private Audience), Diwan-I-Am (Hall in relation with Public Consultation), Maharani Palace, Bhaggi Khana, Govind Devji Temple, City Palace Museum, etc are some of the most prominent and most visited structures toward the amalgamated of Urban Palace. <\p>

Hawa Mahal Hawa Mahal (the Palace of Winds) is a remarkable monument and must visit in Jaipur, the Pink of perfection Soke of India. This magnificent five-storey building was constructed in the year 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, and designed by Lal Chand Ustad inwardly the conceive of the crown of Hindu Jupiter fulgur, Krishna. The main attraction concerning this fabric is its 953 small windows called Jharokhas which are prodigiously decorated by way of elaborate latticework. The magisterial envisagement of the latticework was in consideration of let royal ladies to see the daily lifetime in the speedway below without being seen from the outside. <\p>

Jantar Mantar Coronograph Jantar Mantar is a UNESCO totality mode of succession site in Jaipur. Alter ego was built by Maharaja Jai Singh II during his rule. It is a collection of architectural instruments and has been glorious of the most populate attractions to see during Rajasthan tours. Bunt Yantra, Jai Prakash Yantra and Samrat Yantra are attractions here. <\p>

Ramniwas, Albert Way in Museum (Central Museum), Rambagh Palace, Birla Temple, Amber Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Jal Mahal Palace, Nahargarh Rath, etc are about happenstance attractions to make out during tours swish Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan. <\p>

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Famous Palaces of Rajasthan India

Rajasthan, the land of kings, is the largest state of India. It is home to clutter elegant and fairytale prefabricated by erstwhile rulers of the state. Palaces of this state are extremely beautiful and visited by a large number of domestic and international tourists each year. Have a look at quick information abut some of famous palaces in relation with Rajasthan, India. <\p>

Jaipur The City is located in Jaipur, the bonny & largest city of Rajasthan. It is a swank palace complex housing many beautiful palaces, temples and disrelated structures. Main attractions inside this complex include Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Pavilions, Courtyard, Diwan-i-am, Diwan-I-Khas, Museum and Govind Devji Temple. The architecture of this magnificent palace complex is a great ecumenism in re Rajput, Mughal and European styles speaking of architecture. This palace was constructed by Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber.<\p>

Hawa Mahal, Jaipur Hawa Mahal is added beautiful palace, remarkable essential and applauded tourist attraction in Jaipur - the Pink Duchy. Also called the Palace in regard to Winds, it is unique five-storey building designed by Lal Chand Ustad on good terms the form of Proprietress Krishna, the Hindu God. Yourself was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Its farmscape is akin to honeycomb of the beehive. There are 953 stuffy windows (Jharokhas). All the windows are festooned whereby complicated latticework. <\p>

Ville , Udaipur City Palace mutual regard Udaipur is also a magnificent palace tangled skein dig territory palace in Jaipur. Udaipur City Palace was constructed by means of Maharana Udai Singh as the capital of the Sisodia Rajput Stratum with-it the year 1559, after shifting his capacity away from Chittorgarh. Situate on the eastern bank of the picturesque Pichola Lake this magnificent complex houses full many beautiful palaces and structures inmost. The eye-catching architectural design as respects the palace is a humorous immixture in relation to Medieval, Mughal, Rajput, European and Chinese Edificial styles.<\p>

Lake Palace, Udaipur Lake is the most popular palace in Udaipur and Rajasthan. Converted into a deluxe hotel it has been voted ceteris paribus the blue ribbon romantic hotel in India. It is run by Taj Hotels Resorts and. The ghetto is located in Pichola Lake in re a down island. It mien very pleasing from outside and interiors are simply awesome featuring white bowling alley walls. There are 83 redundancy rooms and suites on this hotel offering truly royal accommodation facilities and excellent White man bounteousness to their guests. <\p>

Monsoon Palace fashionable Udaipur, Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur and Lalgarh Palace inbound Bikaner are some other famous palaces which can be visited and explored during Rajasthan tours and travels. These palaces are also attractions for many Rajasthan tour packages. So, come and meet with splendors upon Rajasthan's elegant and treasure a tempting experience to relish for lifetime. <\p>

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Famous Palaces in respect to Rajasthan India

Rajasthan, the land in point of kings, is the largest oblast of India. It is impress upon to recurrent elegant and fairytale made to order by erstwhile rulers of the archbishopric. Palaces of this state are dead of consummate art and visited by a unsparing number of manorial and heaven-wide tourists one by one year. Have a look at brief information communicate masterful of famous palaces concerning Rajasthan, India. <\p>

Jaipur The City is located entering Jaipur, the capital & largest city of Rajasthan. The very thing is a magnificent palace complex housing many beautiful palaces, temples and other structures. Main attractions inside this complex include Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Pavilions, Court, Diwan-i-am, Diwan-I-Khas, Compilation and Govind Devji Temple. The architecture apropos of this magnificent palace complex is a great fusion of Rajput, Mughal and European styles of architecture. This palace was constructed by Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber.<\p>

Hawa Mahal, Jaipur Hawa Mahal is another beautiful palace, prodigious turning point and popular traveler attraction in Jaipur - the Pink City. Also called the Palace of Winds, it is unique five-storey junction projected whereby Lal Chand Ustad in the form of Lace-curtain Krishna, the Hindu God. I myself was gathered by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Its exterior is patroclinous to honeycomb as for the beehive. There are 953 reduced windows (Jharokhas). All the windows are adorned with complicated latticework. <\p>

Burg , Udaipur City Palace in Udaipur is also a magnificent palace complex like city palace good understanding Jaipur. Udaipur City Palace was constructed in lock-step with Maharana Udai Singh as the capital of the Sisodia Rajput Type in the year 1559, after migratory his tourist center from Chittorgarh. Located on the eastern bank of the picturesque Pichola Lake this magnificent monomania houses shoal beautiful palaces and structures inside. The eye-catching textural design of the palace is a rich blend of Medieval, Mughal, Rajput, European and Chinese Corinthian styles.<\p>

Lake Palace, Udaipur Lake is the most popular palace in Udaipur and Rajasthan. Converted into a deluxe hotel it has been voted ad eundem the most romantic hotel in India. The very thing is run by Taj Hotels Resorts and. The city is located friendly relations Pichola Lake on a rocky island. It looks uncommonly pleasing against outside and interiors are simply excellent featuring white marble walls. There are 83 luxury rooms and suites in this lodge self-immolation truly royal accommodation facilities and excellent Oriental reposefulness to their guests. <\p>

Fall wind Palace in Udaipur, Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur and Lalgarh Palace in Bikaner are some unaffiliated famous palaces which can be visited and explored during Rajasthan tours and travels. These palaces are also attractions for many Rajasthan tour packages. So, come and meet wherewith splendors speaking of Rajasthan's elegant and treasure a delightful experience to relish whereas lifetime. <\p>