Secrets and curiosities of the Alhambra, the most visited monument in Spain

Its grounds cover more than 3,455,000 square metres, of which only 655,000 can be visited. A total of 10.4 hectares divided into three parts: the Nasrid Palaces, the Generalife (the sultans’ leisure residence) and the Alcazaba (the walled military enclosure). All of them are full of viewpoints, courtyards, halls and all kinds of buildings that make up the palatine city.

The most visited monument in Spain

Its construction began in 1238, after the establishment of the Nasrid monarchy in this Andalusian city that holds so many charms. Its first king, Muhammad Ibn Al-Ahmar, began by raising the Alcazaba and bringing water to the hill where they settled. From then on, each monarch, 23 in total, made their own contributions until the conquest of the city by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492.

260 years of Arab rule whose mark can still be seen today in all its splendour. The Christianisation of Granada also had an impact on its main monument, especially after the establishment of Charles V’s court in this city. The palace that bears his name is the best example of this.

In short, centuries of history and transformations make the Alhambra one of the most visited monuments in Spain, surpassed in some years only by the majestic Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Up to three million people visit it every year, and this is the maximum number established to ensure its proper conservation.

The most unique secrets and curiosities of the Alhambra

In fact, many of its rooms are unfortunately only opened on rare occasions. Such as the Hall of Secrets or the Hall of Whispers. A room known for its acoustics, which allow two people, each standing in a corner of the place, to communicate by whispering without the rest of the people hearing them.

Another of the Alhambra’s secrets and curiosities lies in the inscriptions that line many of its spaces. Up to 10,000 can be read along the route through the Nasrid monument. Most are poems, sayings and texts from the Quran. How many hours would you need to read them all? As well as knowing Arabic, since most of them are in this language.

And how many hours would we need to walk through its 16 kilometres of tunnels and underground passageways? Some experts even point to the existence of a hidden gold mine. Be that as it may, many of these places cannot usually be visited. Even so, the average duration of a visit is around 3 hours. And if you are planning to see it, it is essential to book as far in advance as possible so you do not miss out on tickets.

It is also important to plan how to get there, with one option being the shuttle buses departing from Plaza Nueva. Very close by is our Hermanos Maristas car park, where you can secure a space through our booking portal or via our Apparkya application.

The decline and rebirth of the Alhambra

Another of the Alhambra’s secrets and curiosities is knowing that it was not always what it once was. After the War of the Spanish Succession, the Bourbons, winners of the civil conflict, left the city and its Alhambra in a state of abandonment because it had supported their rivals, the Habsburgs. And the Napoleonic occupation, during which they used the site as a barracks, worsened its situation.

Its agonising state lasted well into the 19th century, when the government of the Democratic Sexenio, which removed Isabella II from power for 6 years, declared the complex a National Monument and began restoring it. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1984.

Part of its recovery also came from the romanticism that began to surround the Alhambra thanks to many artists who turned their attention to it. Such as Washington Irving, who lived within its walls for three months, which inspired his famous “Tales of the Alhambra”. To continue delving into the secrets and curiosities of the Alhambra, there is nothing better than immersing yourself in the pages of this beautiful collection of stories about the magical Nasrid monument.