Architectural Features of the Alcazar: A Historical Insight
In the plant is a set that mixes rooms, porches, and patios.
There are three closed horseshoe arches supported by marble columns with capitals in the Medinat al-Zahara model or nest. The capitals are carved to seek the chiaroscuro effect. The provision of arches is supported on pillars. Above the arches are an alfiz and a cornice.
The threads of the arches are cut into the sides.
The decor features a stone veneer.
To the east and at the bottom, you will find a residential area of services connected with Dar al-Mulk.
The Patio de los Pilares is organized around rectangular frames. No one knows their role.
The surfacing of the courts used to be purple limestone.
It must have been performed immediately after the Dar al-Mulk.
After 960, two major royal houses were built.
Housing Jafar, or Chafer, who was the vizier of Al-Hakem II, was significant during the time of his father.
It was a very large house, which had three areas: the intimate, the service or ceremonial, and the public.
The rooms are arranged around courtyards. We forward the type of construction of public spaces known as Majlis.
The space is a basilica with 3 or 5 ships and a transept as a porch.
The courtyards are landscaped with a pool area or cruise.
Remains of wall paintings in the socket feature a reddish-brown background.
They are plated with plant motifs carved in high relief, sought by the chiaroscuro.
The Pool House or House of the Prince is related to the home of Al-Hakem II.
A series of rectangular rooms communicate with the courtyard in the center, featuring a pool fed by an animal covered with bronze through portals. It incorporates a bath.
Boxes appear around the alfiz with inscriptions of the arcs.
In 950-60, the Alcazar extended eastward, becoming the most important public center of the whole. Building two of the most representative buildings are two reception rooms.
Dar al Wuzara (also known under the following names: House of the Viziers, Military Household, or Dar al Jund).
The building of the basilica at the top consists of 5 ships. Three of them communicate with each other by arches. The aisles are more independent. In the previous zone is a portico with a transverse nave and two separate spaces at the ends. It becomes the administrative center of the city and state. The hall is organized for receptions.
Access to the interior was done via a ramp that was a covered walkway for the arrival of horses.
Inside, there are three lateral arches; the middle is a large horseshoe arch supported by pillars, suggesting there might be vaulting.
In the cross-section, they are supported on pillars. There are alternating two-color voussoirs. On the floor are white marble slabs.
On the east side is a large doorway that opens onto a large terrace used for ceremonies.
Four arches are retained that have been rebuilt. Fourteen have been identified, with alternating voussoirs.
There is an open pavilion where the Caliph attended the ceremonies. He was above the central arch like a box.
South of the House of Viziers is the public part of the palatial city, called the Rich Hall or Hall of Abd-al Rahman III.
It has been identified in the chronicles with the East Room, where we know civil ceremonies and receptions for religious and foreign ambassadors were conducted.
This took place in the years 953-957.
The Caliph entered from the Dar al-Mulk by private alleyways.