THE HALL OF THE ABENCERRAGES
THE ALHAMBRA PALACE, GRANADA, SPAIN
IMAGE NUMBER 680
Completed towards the end of Muslim rule of Spain by Yusuf I (1333–1353), the Alhambra reflects the culture of the last centuries ofMoorish rule. The Alhambra integrates natural site qualities with constructed structures and gardens, and is a testament to Moorish culture in Spain. The literal translation of Alhambra, "the red (female)," reflects the color of the red clay of the surroundings of which the fort is made. The buildings as seen today are reddish. The decoration comes from the last great period of Andalusian art in Granada. The Alhambra is a UNESCO world heritage site.
The Hall of the Abencerrages derives its name from a legend according to which the father of Boabdil, the last sultan of Granada, having invited the chiefs of that line to a banquet, massacred them here. This room is a perfect square, with a lofty dome and trellised windows at its base. The roof is decorated in blue, brown, red and gold, and the columns supporting it spring out into the arch form in a remarkably beautiful manner. Opposite to this hall is the Sala de las dos Hermanas (Hall of the two Sisters). There is a fountain in the middle of this hall, and the roof — a dome honeycombed with tiny cells, all different, and said to number 5000 — is an example of the "stalactite vaulting" of the Moors.
TECHNICAL NOTES
The image was taken with a hand-held Phase One 645 Camera at ISO 800. Exposure of 1/10th of a second and an aperture of f12. 45 mm Phase One wide angle lens with focal plane shutter. The image was captured on a Phase One IQ180 80 megapixel digital back.