This is the text of the Guided tour that begins in the Fortress in Alhambra. The tour seats 5 per carpet, the AA Express, and takes about 27 minutes, depending on lag. It is available in English, Spanish and German, so far.
As an outstanding example of the dialogue between different religions, cultures and civilizations, Andalusia represents a lesson for us today as we confront globalization, which needs to take place against a background of enlightened social relations and the universal ethical values in which humanity has its roots and without which it cannot survive. Al Andalus is the perfect background for this discussion, but it is also a fascinating, and beautiful place to visit.
Cisterns’ Court - Abd Ar Rahman III Auditorium
JUST within the fortress of the Alhambra, in front of the royal palace, is a broad open esplanade, called the Place or Square of the Cisterns (la Plaza de los Algibes), so called from being undermined by reservoirs of water, hidden from sight, and which have existed from the time of the Moors. While there was no state of the art auditorium in this location in the 13th centure, Al Andalus in Second Life has one! The auditorium is available for discussions, presentations, lectures or whatever creative uses the citizens dream up. This facility also houses classrooms and meeting rooms.
2. Embassadors Entrance – Khalifah’s Palace
There are three independent areas in the Nasrid Palaces (Palacios NazarÃes): the Mexuar, which corresponds to the semipublic part of the palace or selamlik, for justice administration and State affairs; the HYPERLINK "http://www.alhambradegranada.org/historia/alhambraPComares_en.asp" Comares Palace (Palacio de Comares), which was the official residence of the king; and the Palace of the Lions (Palacio de los Leones), which was the private area of the palace, where the HYPERLINK "http://www.alhambradegranada.org/historia/alhambraHaren_en.asp" Harem was located
3. Lion’s Fountain – Consultative Assembly
Not only were these areas different because of their functions, but also because of their artistic characteristics. The Comares Palace (Palacio de Comares) was decorated in a typically Muslim way, but the Palace of the Lions (Patio de los Leones) presents Christian influences, probably as a consequence of the friendship between Mohammed V and his Castilian counterpart Pedro I, the Cruel.
4. Great Mosque (Mezquita) – Patio de las Naranjas The Mezquita (Spanish for " HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosque" \o "Mosque" mosque", from the Arabic "Masjid") was originally built to be a warehouse/temple/lighthouse. It was the most magnificent of the more than 1,000 mosques in the city and was at one time the second largest mosque in the Muslim world.
Please note: While the concept of holy places in a virtual world may stretch the imagination of some, tradition is a major part of history. There is an active Muslim community associated with the Mezquita in Al Andalus. They have placed a basket with complimentary veils for ladies to cover their hair, and ask that all visitors to the mosque remove their shoes before entering. If you choose to honor this request, you may find your experience enhanced. However, this is strictly a personal decision and there is no requirement that you do so.
5. Albaycin Village - Cadi Bridge –Darro River--The Albaicin was directly connected to the Alhambra by a fortified bridge called Puente del Cadà - the "bridge of the judge". All that is left of it today is the stump of a tower on the left bank and part of its single arch. The Romans called The River Darro the River of Gold - aurus - because of the panners who, until recent times, made their meager living searching for the precious mineral in its bed.
6. Jinnah Al –‘Arif Summer Palace and Gardens. Wander the beautiful halls of the summer palace, rest in the gardens among roses, citrus trees and flowers. Experience a second life poetic moment. Inscription found on the walls of the Garden: “How beauteous is this garden, where the flowers of the earth vie with the stars of the heaven! What can compare with the vase of yon alabaster fountain filled with crystal water? Nothing but the moon in her fullness, shining in the midst of an unclouded sky!” Al-Andalus Jewish poetry
7. Al- Zahra Entertainment Complex. A continuation of the Generalife Gardens, the Al-Zahra hosts events, music, dancing, and even romance. Don't miss the scenic mirador of the waterfall.
8. Al-Garnata Village - South Gate, Gate of Pomegranates--Al'-Garnata (Spanish: Granada) Village is situated at the foot of the HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Nevada_(Spain)%22%20%5Co%20%22Sierra%20Nevada%20(Spain)"Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of two rivers, HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darro%22%20%5Co%20%22Darro"Darro and HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genil%22%20%5Co%20%22Genil"Genil, at an elevation of 738 metres above sea level. The HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomegranate%22%20%5Co%20%22Pomegranate"pomegranate (in Spanish, granada) is the HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heraldry%22%20%5Co%20%22Heraldry"heraldic device of Granada
9. Al-Kairuwan Souk (Caravan Market) One of two retail areas in the Al Andalus Sims, the Souk Market features regional costumes, furniture and accessories. It's also a great place to meet people!
10. Muhammed Al-Ahmar Plaza
Here you will find the Baths and washhouse as well as another entrance to the Great Mosque and fountain. Water was a prized luxury in the arid climate of Andalucia; you will see many fountains, canals, cisterns and aqueducts throughout the sims.
The Moorish bath, or hammam, followed the Roman model: a hot room, a warm room and a cold room, with ovens under the floor to heat the paving stones. Bathers had to shod wooden clogs to protect them from the heat of the marble floor.
11. Dar-al Islam (Muslim) Residential Quarter. One feature that made Al Andalus unique was the peaceful co-existence of Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities, and these three neighborhoods are represented in the SL version. If you choose to buy a house here, there is NO restriction on who can live where! Here is the Muslim Quarter; as a progressively higher proportion of the Andalucian population became Muslim, institution's and activities of Islamic orientation came to dominate the culture.
12. El Partal Plaza - Abencerraje Palaces El Partal comes from an Arabic word meaning "the portico", and is the name given to the remains of the residence of Sultan Yusuf III. The plaza is a favorite location for SL events, and the two wings of the Palace house retail, and are the site of future museums dedicated to peace and democracy.
14. Alcazaba (Fortress) Bastion - Walled Garden--The Alcazaba, or fortress, is the oldest part of the Alhambra. It was built in the mid-13th century by the Sultan Alhamar, the founder of the Nasrid dynasty, after he fled from northern Andalucia and established what was to be the last Moorish stronghold against the Christian crusaders.
The first impression of the Alhambra is of a fortified enclosure, some 2,200 meters in perimeter, whose peculiar shape is obviously determined by the contours and defensive possibilities of the terrain. The impressively thick walls are of hard rubble faced with stone and brick masonry and covered with plaster. There are twenty-two towers, rather irregularly spaced in plan but adapted to the needs and requirements of the terrain. The towers have several notable peculiarities, which you can read on the notecards provided by the information points around the sims.
Top ten things to do in Al Andalus:
Visit the magnificent Majid (Mosque);
Shop in the Abencerraje Palaces located in the Al-Partal Plaza;
Explore the inner walls, rooms and passages of the Fortress;
Walk through the City Bazaar, and Muslim, Christian and Jewish Quarters;
Discover the stunning houses of the Al-Garnata Village;
Wander through the Generalife Gardens and Entertainment Complex (still in construction);
Check out the lamps and fountains of the clothes’ washhouse located next to the Majid (Mosque);
Walk out the Gate of Iron (by the majiid / mosque) and take the scenic route down the mountain all the way past the Bridge of the Cadi and the river Darro;
Find the cannons on top of the Towers and shoot a bullet – or two; and
Discover the history, legends and poetry of Alhamra and Al-Andalus by reading the Al-Andalus Info Points notecards – or some of them, at least!
Thank you for your interest, and enjoy your stay!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
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