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ALHAMBRA
The Nasrid Palaces, The Comares Palace, The Palace Façade
The façade rises majestically opposite the portico of the Cuarto Dorado. It was probably built for Muhammad V on the occasion of his conquest of Algacirac in 1370, and was originally covered in strong colours of different tones. It reaches a peak of perfection in the impressive eaves, masterpieces of Islamic carpentry.
Only a part of this façade is shown here to reveal its fantastic details. The façade in whole can be seen in Workshop for you to have a better idea and understanding of the following description.
In a formal sense the façade served to separate the administrative and public areas from the private family quarters. The right-hand door led to domestic and service apartments, while that on the left to the heart of the palace via a right-angled passageway with no lighting but that which penetrates, dazzling, from the far end.
The reasoning behind the juxtaposition of the two doors is explained in an inscription carved on the arrocabe* set above another frieze of mocárabes*. The inscription is a poem by Ibn Zamrak, the sultan's vizier, and was composed expressly for the façade. The verses, separated by scallop shells, read thus: 'My place is that of a crown and my / entrance a parting of the ways; the Occident believes that in me is the Orient. / Al Gani bi-llah [Muhammad V] has / charged me to let pass / the victory now being proclaimed / and I anticipate his appearance [to allow him entry], just as the horizons await to let in the dawn. / Beautify for him, Allah, his works, as he himself is handsome of aspect and character!' (from Sp. Trans. By D. Cabanelas & A. Fernández, 1974-1975).
Sitting on his throne between these doors and raised upon the steps, the sultan would, according to tradition, give audience and dispense justice.
*arrocabe - a wooden frieze or panel in the upper part of the wall.
*mocárabes - stalactite-like decoration used for vaults, arches and cornices etc. and made by joining together tiny prisms of plaster or wood to give a honey-comb effect. |
JesusV, tasfoto, wilkinsonsg, dsidwell, ChristianS, Galeota trouve(nt) cette note utile
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Very good, very detailed! Congrat!