The Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex located on a natural
acropolis on the Iberian Peninsula overlooking the city of Granada in
Spain’s Andalusia region. The Alhambra Palace stands out as one of the
most famous examples of Moorish architecture, and perhaps it is the most
well known Muslim construction of all. The name Alhambra comes from
Arabic word which means “Red or crimson castle.” Cr
eated originally for
military purposes, The Alhambra was an “alcazaba” (fortress), an
“alcázar” (place) and a small “medina” (city), all in one. It was the residence of Muslim kings of Granada and their court, and a
renaissance palace during the Holy Roman Empire, thereby providing a
unique mixture of architectural and decorating styles, marriage of the
Mediterranean and Middle East. The greatest concern of the architects of
the Alhambra was to cover every single space w/decoration, no matter
the size of the space and decorative element was enough. Here you
will fi nd a cuisine rich with examples of Arab culinary infl uence. Spices,
ingredients, cooking techniques mingled to create a new cuisine. The
Moors introduced the cultivation of rice, now a staple food, fi gs and
citrus fruits, peaches and bananas and many of the Middle Eastern spices,
including cumin, aniseed, and sugar, which are used much in Iberian
cooking today. The Marriage of both Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines has
developed through time-honored practice, patience, and tradition,
passed down from one generation to another. Food is a fundamental part
of the regions heritage and culture; the ingredients refl ect their geography
of their homeland while savoring the colors and accents of the aesthetic
tastes of both the Mediterranean and Middle East. The cuisines are
associated with many social events -births, anniversaries, and
weddings; the culinary traditions are, intertwined with regions history
and religion.
