On and Off Campus Blog: An Afternoon at the Alhambra
By James Tao ’29
At 6:30, the sun slowly set behind the silhouette of the palace of Alhambra, Spain. A slim golden line wrapped around the outlines of the ancient walls of the palace and shone brightly against its gardens. The light softened as the sky shifted warmer, finishing what felt like a perfect day in the 1000-year-old complex. Standing there with my family, I felt as though we had explored a completely different world, a different timeline shaped by centuries of influence and culture.
Our family trip to Alhambra in Granada, Spain was a remarkable journey, one that opened our eyes to the complexity and beauty that thousands of years of influence from so many different cultures could produce. The palace sits high on the mountain overlooking the rest of Granada, giving it a very grandiose and commanding feel over what presides below.
Alhambra has been under the hands of several different cultures and nations and was built by Muhammad I ibn al-Ahmar, the founder of the Arab-Muslim Nasrid Dynasty. Muhammad decided Granada was going to be his capital and began building Alhambra as the royal palace and fortress almost a thousand years ago.
He transformed Alhambra into a self-contained city, benefiting from all of the intricate Islamic patterns and calligraphy lining every single wall. Fountains, pools, gardens, and terraces were constructed and are known today for providing some of the most beautiful scenery on Earth. It then fell into the hands of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, who preserved the palace as it was. Later, a large Renaissance palace was built inside the complex, which contrasted with the buildings surrounding it.
What struck me most was the seamless blend of cultures reflected in the architecture. The arches, detailed geometric structures, and calligraphy spoke clearly of the Arabic influence, while later Christian elements added their own layer to the story. These two very different authorities intertwined with each other and created a one-of-a-kind palace that can only have taken shape through multiple cultural renovations. The trip was a reminder that history is rarely simple and one-sided, and that beauty often emerges from complexity.
As the sunset lit through the archways of the corridors, I watched my family quietly take in the view in admiration, each of them absorbing the moment in their own way. I realized then how important it is to appreciate and embrace all different cultures, not to see their creations as distant or foreign, but as a shared part of our humanity.
Traveling to a place like Alhambra teaches lessons that no textbook can capture. When people from all over the world come to walk the same paths, admire the same complexity, and see the stories embedded in Alhambra’s walls, understanding naturally grows. People will understand one another’s history and traditions, and there would be much less division in the world.
By the end of the trip, Alhambra quietly reminded me that peace begins with curiosity, respect, and the willingness to see the world through someone else’s eyes. As the famous Spanish proverb goes, “Quien no ha visto la Alhambra no ha vivido de verdad.” Anyone who hasn’t seen the Alhambra hasn’t truly lived.
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