Alcázar of Córdoba: Building in the gardens
Date
Circa 1910
Location
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries
The term derives from the Arabic word al-qasr meaning "fort, castle or palace"; the Arabic word comes from the Latin "castrum", meaning an army camp or fort. It was originally a Visigothic fortress. Abd al-Rahman II (reigned 822-852) enlarged Córdoba's Alcázar and built an aqueduct to supply the city with drinking water. Abd Allah (reigned 888-912) also expanded the Alcázar. Córdoba was reconquered from the Muslims by Ferdinand III of Castile (reigned 1217-1252) in 1236. His son, Alfonso X, began work on a new palace, the site of the Alcázar Nuevo (altered). The Alcázar was expanded to a very large compound with baths, gardens, and the largest library in the West. Watermills on the nearby Guadalquivir river powered water lifting to irrigate the extensive gardens.
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Also from
Architectural Lantern Slides of Spain
Alcázar of Córdoba: View of the castle walls and one of the towers
Alcázar of Seville: Detail interior of the Patio de las Muñecas
Alcázar of Seville: Garden with raking view of pavilion of Charles V, right
Alcázar of Seville: Garden, pavilion of Charles V
Alcázar of Seville: Wall of the Dar-al-Imara, at center, Puerto del Léon
Alhambra Complex: Palace of Charles V: Distant context view, Palace of Charles V at the top center