You've probably heard of the Alhambra, a Moorish palace complex that sits high on a hill above the city of Granada in Southern Spain. However, before heading here, it is important to know a little about this amazing site you are going to visit.
Knowing some background of this fascinating place will let you enjoy your visit even more. So check out these 7 interesting facts that you didn't know about the Alhambra.
1. "Alhambra" is Not its Actual Name
The correct name for the Alhambra is actually "Qal'at al-Hambra", which means "The Red Fortress" in Arabic. The name was first given to the tiny fortress build on the site by the Moors over 1000 years ago, the Islamic Empire which had spread from the Middle East across North Africa and into Southern Europe.
The name is believed to originate from the first fortress which was made from the red clay found in this part of Spain. The outer walls were made from tapia, or rammed earth, which had a reddish hue. Over the centuries, the Moors gradually expanded the fortress into the magnificent palace complex found there today.
2. The Alhambra Originally Belonged to the Romans
