The Alhambra (literally "the red one"), is a palace and fortress complex of the Moorish rulers of Granada in southern Spain (known as Al-Andalus when the fortress was constructed during the mid 14th century), occupying a hilly terrace on the southeastern border of the city of Granada.
Once the residence of the Muslim rulers of Granada and their court, the site became a Christian palace. Within the Alhambra, the Palace of Charles V was erected by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, in 1527. After being allowed to fall into disrepair, Alhambra was "rediscovered" in the 19th century. Its is now one of Spain's major tourist attractions and exhibits the country's most famous Islamic architecture, together with Christian 16th century and later interventions in buildings and gardens.
Alhambra has no overall design and its layout is disorganised, with some rooms at odd angles to each other – a result of the site's many construction phases from the original 9th century citadel to the 16th century palace of Charles V.[1] The terrace or plateau where the Alhambra sits measures about 740 metres (2,430 ft) in length by 205 metres (670 ft) at its greatest width. It extends from west-north-west to east-south-east and covers an area of about 142,000 square metres (1,530,000 sq ft). Alhambra's most westerly feature is the alcazaba (citadel); a strongly fortified position. The rest of the plateau comprises a number of palaces, enclosed by a relatively weak fortified wall, with thirteen towers, some defensive and some providing vistas for the inhabitants. The river Darro passes through a ravine on the north and divides the plateau from the Albaicín district of Granada. Similarly, the Assabica valley, containing the Alhambra Park on the west and south, and, beyond this valley, the almost parallel ridge of Monte Mauror, separate it from the Antequeruela district.