Founded in the 14th century by the Nasrid King Yusuf I, Madrasah, a name which means Koranic school or university in the Arabic language, was the first University of Al-Andalus, built to teach theology, law, medicine, astronomy, logic, mathematics and more. The school gave rise to poets of the likes of Ibn al-Khatib and Ibn Zamrak, both of whom have works etched into the walls of The Alhambra.

One of the last buildings from the Nasrid period standing, the Madrasah resides within the same suburb as the Great Mosque of Granada. After Ferdinand II and Isabel I took Granada, bringing an end to the Reconquista, the school was raided and many of its books burned. In 1500 the building was given a new purpose and used as the town hall of Granada, where in the building was overhauled giving a more Baroque appearance, however many of the original features remain such as in the buildings oratory, which retains its horseshoe arches, original colors, as well as the latticework and plaster on the ceiling. Additionally a room called “the hall of the 24 knights” was preserved housing preserved Muslim armors.

The building was reclaimed in 1841 by the state where it was repurposed back to its original purpose and became apart of the university of Granada and became the seat of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Nuestra Señora de las Angustias.

Today the Madrasah, on top of serving as part of the university of Granada, is open to public allowing for tours of the once great university, where in you can view many great art works such as the “Virgin of the Rose” which is preserved and housed there.

For more information about the Madrasah:
https://en.granada.info/madrasah
or
https://www.lovegranada.com/monuments/madraza/

The Alhambra, built between 1238 and 1358 at the behest of Muhammad I, founder of the Nasrid Dynasty, stands on an plateau overlooking the City of Granada. Originally designed as a military zone it was later served as the royal residence for the royal family of Granada.

The fortress’s name Alhambra has origins in Arabic, meaning “red castle or vermilion”

During the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries the fortress was made of 2 main areas; The Alcazaba, the Military area, and the Medina or Palatine city, which housed the Nasrid palaces and houses of nobles and other common folk.

When the city fell into Catholic hands in 1492 much of the interior was damaged or removed, after Charles I (Charles V) took the throne in 1516 he had portions of the fort rebuilt however he also had parts destroyed to make way for an Italianate Palace. In 1812 during the Peninsular War the French blew up several towers, in 1821 an Earthquake further destroyed portions of the fortress. In 1828 a major repair job was undertaken by José Contreras an endeavor that was later endowed by King Ferdinand VII in 1830. After the death of Contreras in 1847, his son Rafael took up the mantle of restoration until his death in 1890 where in his son Mariano Contreras Granja continued his families work.

For more information about the history of the Alhambra:
https://www.alhambra.org/en/alhambra-history.html

For more information on the Alhambra:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Alhambra-fortress-Granada-Spain