It was converted into a royal palace in 1333 by Yusuf I, Sultan of Granada. After the conclusion of the Christian Reconquista in 1492, the site became the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella (where Christopher Columbus received royal endorsement for his expedition), and the palaces were partially altered in the Renaissance style.

In 1526 Charles I & V commissioned a new Renaissance palace better befitting the Holy Roman Emperor in the revolutionary Mannerist style influenced by humanist philosophy in direct juxtaposition with the Nasrid Andalusian architecture, but it was ultimately never completed due to Morisco rebellions in Granada.

circa 1050 CE

Pre-Nasrid Period (1050–1238 CE):
The Alhambra, as it is known today, evolved over centuries, with its origins tracing back to the mid-eleventh century CE, long before the Nasrid dynasty made it their royal residence. The site was first utilized by the Zirid dynasty, who established a modest fortress on the site in the 11th century during the period of Muslim rule in al-Andalus. This early structure, referred to as the Alcazaba, served both as a military stronghold and a defensive outpost overlooking the city of Granada.

Nasrid Period (1238–1492 CE):
The Alhambra, located in Granada, Spain, was established during the rule of the Nasrid dynasty, the last Muslim rulers of the Iberian Peninsula. Initially built as a fortress in the 9th century, it was expanded into a royal palace and administrative center by Muhammad I, the first Nasrid emir. Over the next two centuries, successive rulers, including Yusuf I and Muhammad V, transformed the complex into a masterpiece of Islamic architecture, featuring intricate stucco work, courtyards like the Court of the Lions, and innovations in water engineering. It symbolized the cultural and political zenith of Muslim Spain.

Christian Reconquest (1492 CE):
The Alhambra was surrendered to Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella in 1492, marking the end of Muslim rule in Spain. The complex became a Christian court, and modifications were made to integrate it into the new regime. Charles V constructed a Renaissance-style palace within the grounds, reflecting the blending of Islamic and European influences. The Alhambra began to lose its significance as Granada became less central to Spanish political life.

Post-Reconquest Decline (16th–19th Century CE):
Over the centuries, the Alhambra fell into neglect. Portions of the complex were repurposed or destroyed, while others were used for military purposes. Earthquakes and environmental damage further eroded its condition. By the 19th century, romantic travelers and writers such as Washington Irving brought renewed attention to the site, sparking interest in its preservation.

Modern Period (19th Century CE- Present):
The Alhambra underwent extensive restoration starting in the late 19th century, with efforts continuing into the modern era. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated as a symbol of Spain’s diverse cultural heritage. Attracting millions of visitors annually, the Alhambra remains a testament to the architectural and artistic achievements of Islamic Spain and a fusion of cultural influences over centuries.

circa 1050 CE

Alcazaba
The Alcazaba (from Arabic al-Qasbah) is the most westerly part of the Alhambra complex, a strongly fortified position built to protect the original post-Roman districts of Iliberri. The alcazaba or citadel, its oldest part, is built on the isolated and precipitous foreland which terminates the plateau on the northwest. Like the Alhambra, the Alcazaba was abandoned and not cared for during a long time and it was not until the late 19th century and beginning of the 20th century that the restoration, exploration and plumbing works were started.

circa 1232-1272 CE

Tower of Muhammad

circa 1250-1350 CE

Comares Palace
The Comares Palace is one of the most prominent and architecturally significant structures within the Medieval Islamic fortress of Alhambra, serving as the royal residence of the Nasrid sultans. Built during the 12th-15th century CE during the reign of Nasrid dynasty, it is renowned for its sophisticated design, featuring grand courtyards, intricate stucco work, and ornate arches. The palace is named after the Comares Tower, which is the central element of its layout, offering expansive views of the surrounding areas. The Comares Palace is also home to the Hall of the Ambassadors, a lavish throne room known for its exquisite decoration, including detailed mosaics and a remarkable wooden dome ceiling. The palace blends Islamic art, architecture, and the symbolic use of water, reflecting the splendor and power of the Nasrid dynasty.

circa 1290 CE

Wine Gate
Supposedly one of the largest structures in the Alhambra complex, the Wine Gate dates back to Muhammad III. The Wine Gate serves as a one of the main entrances to the Medina of the Alhambra and the Upper Alhambra which gates off the formerly residential and artisan district of the Medina. The exterior facade, made of primarily sandstone, was likely constructed during the beginning of the 14th century. The pointed horsearch with embossed voussoirs displays an engraving of a key, an important Islamic symbol.

circa 1305 CE

Partal Palace
The Partal Palace (Palacio del Partal) was built in the early fourteenth century CE during the reign of Muhammad III (circa 1302-1309 CE). Few architectural elements of the original Nasrid period palace are extant: including the main Portico Palace, the Tower of the Ladies (Torre de las Damas) with its tower overlooking the surrounding landscape and arcade opening onto a wide pool; the adjacent mosque-oratory (Torre del Mihrab), most likely built by Yusuf I as a small garden oratory with a mihrab and windows overlooking the landscape; and some houses to the west of the main "Portico Palace". Other than the houses all the structures are ornamented with delicately carved stucco.

circa 1350 CE

Gate of Justice
The Gate of Justice (Puerta la Justica) Of the four gates in the Alhambra walls, the largest and most impressive is the Gate of Justice, built in 1348. Adjacent to the Gate of Justice is a circular artillery bastion from where a cut stone wall descends, in front of which a Grenadian Renaissance sculptural masterpiece of stone stands: Charles V’s Pillar. In the centre of the Esplanade is another more modest pillar in honour of the writer Washington Irving, built to commemorate the centenary of his death. The Gate of Justice (Puerta de la Justicia) is also known as the Gate of the Esplanade (Puerta de la Explanada) because of the large esplanade that extended before it. Its magnificent silhouette stands out, making it one of the symbols of the Alhambra. In addition to its structural function, the Gate features one of the most significant symbolic icons of the Alhambra: the hand carved in the keystone of the arch and a key in the centre of the inner archway (Islamic symbols). These contrast with the Gothic figure of the Virgin and the Child, by Roberto Alemán, placed over the original Arab inscription of the Gate by order of the Catholic Monarchs. Four engaged columns with the representation of the Muslim Faith carved on the capitals, frames the door, which has preserved its iron-plated door leaves and other original iron work, recently restored. The interior of the Gate, with its defensive two turns to climb the steep ascent, contains three kinds of vaults: an elongated cross-vault, a cupola and three traditional cross vaults, all painted with red brick-like decoration, a common feature of the Nasrid architecture. Outside the gate, and by request of the inhabitants of the Alhambra in 1588, an altarpiece painted by Diego de Navas el Joven, was hung in the place where the first Mass was celebrated after the Christian conquest. The inner side of the Gate preserves part of the rich original decoration of rhombus tile patterns in the spandrels of the horseshoe arch. Opposite the gate is a wide outer-road at the wall foot, reinforced after the Christian conquest with sepulchre marble slabs. Further up the road we reach the starting point of the official guided tour, the Façade of the Gate of Wine, in front of the the Cisterns Square.

circa 1350 CE

Court of the Princes' Madrasa
It is also known as the Courtyard of the Mosque (Patio de la Mezquita). It once formed part of the Comares Palace (Palacio Comares), in addition to the Mexuar.

circa 1362 CE

Palace of the Lions' Court
The Palace of the Lions' Court (Palacio de Patio de los Leones),

circa 1362 CE

Courtyard of the Harem
The so-called Harem Courtyard (Patio del Harén),

circa 1362 CE

Court of the Lions
The Court of the Lions (Patio de los Leones), known in Arabic as the Bahw-an (بهو السباع‎), is the main courtyard in the heart of the Alhambra. It was the innermost and most private courtyard of the Nasrid Palace, was reserved for the ruler and his household. In the centre of the courtyard water sparkles from a fountain basin to fall through the mouths of twelve stylised lions into four streams that run towards the colonnaded sides. The pillars –light, slender trunks– gather together in a pavilion at each end of the patio around tiny fountains. Here they support, like a canopy, filigreed, muqarna (honeycomb) arches that echo the protective role of the palm leaves around oasis pools in the desert.

circa 1362–1391 CE

Court of the Golden Room and the Entrance to the Comares Palace
The Court of the Golden Room (Patio del Cuarto Dorado) is an Andalusian patio (courtyard), with an elegant fountain in the middle, at ground level so as not to disturb conversation. Here in this patio, official audiences would be held. The two columns make up three archways, covered with delicate relief carvings. In the center of the courtyard there is a low marble fountain.

From here the Comares palace could be entered through the so-called gilded facade.

circa 1494 CE

Square of the Cisterns
The Square of the Cisterns (Plaza de los Aljibes) received this name because of the cisterns that were built by Count of Tendilla in 1494 in the gully between the Alcazaba and the palaces. These cisterns, 34 meters long, 6 meters wide and 8 meters high, later became the current square, when they were buried as well as the surrounding streets and squares. The square forms a vast esplanade between the towers and the defences of the Alhambra on one side and the Wine Gate (Puerta del Vino), the Arabic palaces and the Charles V Palace (Palacio de Carlos V) on the other side.

circa 1530 CE

Court of Machuca
The Courtyard of the Machuca (Patio de Machuca) is situated west of the Nasrid period palace complex, below the northern façade of the Palace of Charles V. Its namesake is Pedro Machuca, this first architect of the king Charles' palace lived and had his studio in the Mexuar Room seen in the background. This was the council chamber and courthouse of the Nasrid palace, when finished in 1365 CE. During Nasrid period this area was part of the outer courtyards of the Mexuar, where the attendants would assemble before the audience with the emir/sultan.

circa 1533 CE

Palace of Charles V
Palacio de Carlos V, the Palace of Charles V was designed by the Spanish architect Pedro Machuca in 1528 and was begun in 1533, but was never completed. Located within the Alhambra complex, the palace's northeast corner abuts the Court of the Lions and the Court of the Myrtles. The palace, whose construction necessitated some destruction to the Nasrid palaces and cemeteries, has a strict geometric plan, with a circular courtyard inscribed within the square block containing the various rooms.

circa 1545 CE

Pillar of Carlos V
The Pillar of Carlos V (Pilar de Carlos V),