History Medina Azahara

mezquita (mosque) aljama

the city, flourished approximately 80 years, built caliph abd-ar-rahman iii of córdoba starting between 936 , 940. after had proclaimed himself caliph in 928, decided show subjects , world power building palace-city 5 km córdoba. largest known city built scratch in western europe, described travelers northern europe , east dazzling series of palaces full of treasures never seen before. around 1010, madinat az-zahra sacked during civil war led dissolution of caliphate of cordoba. raid wiped city off map millennium.

popular legend holds caliph named az-zahra, or azahara, after favorite concubine, , statue of woman stood on entrance. others, imagining demanding lover, built new city please her. truth, however, has more politics love. abd ar-rahman iii ordered construction of city @ time when had finished consolidating political power in iberian peninsula , entering conflict fatimid dynasty control of north africa. zahara means shining, radiant or blossoming in arabic: name communicates aspirations of power , status, not romantic love.

az-zahra common title daughter of prophet muhammad fatimah az-zahra. such, fatimid dynasty of north africa adorned many buildings , towns name. female scholar in own right, title az-zahra (the brilliant) given oldest functioning university in world, al-az har/al-azhar university in cairo in 968, built fatimids. umayyads ambitions in north africa explain usage of name new city rival fatimids influence there through islamic/ religious iconography.

arabesque panel

in 929, abd ar-rahman iii declared himself utterly independent, true caliph (prince of believers) , descendant of umayyad dynasty, had been exterminated abbasids in 9th century. brought series of political, economic , ideological measures impress legitimacy upon world. new capital city, befitting status, 1 of measures. decided build city in 936 , construction took forty years. mosque on site consecrated in 941 , in 947 government transferred córdoba.

in 2005, described american newspaper new york times follows:

teeming treasures dazzled jaded traveler or world—weary aristocrat...pools of mercury shaken spray beams of reflected sunlight across marble walls , ceilings of gold... doors carved of ivory , ebony led sprawling gardens full of exotic animals , sculptures made of amber , pearls...

what visible of ruins of madinat az-zahra today 10% of extent. 112 hectare-urb no mere pleasure palace weekend excursions, effective capital of al-andalus, territory controlled muslims in iberian peninsula beginning of 8th century middle of 11th. magnificent white city, built in steps hillside @ base of sierra morena caliph s palace @ highest point, designed seen subjects , foreign ambassadors kilometers. abd ar-rahman iii moved entire court medina azahara in 947-48.

with time entire city buried, not unearthed until 1911. excavation , restoration continues, depending upon funding spanish government. unexcavated portion, however, threatened illegal construction of housing. according new york times, local government in córdoba, said, has failed enforce law passed 10 years ago expanded protections site against development... construction companies putting houses on site of city, 90 percent of remains unexcavated.

artistically, medina azahara played great role in formulating distinct andalusian islamic architecture. many of features, such basilical royal reception halls (as contrasted domed ones in eastern part of islamic world) here conceived first time. other features, such arranging of suites of rooms around central courtyard or garden, echoed throughout western islamic architecture, example late in alhambra. mosque of medina azahara bears close resemblance great mosque of córdoba; has been called little sister

before coming power, al-mansur ibn abi aamir (called almanzor in west) lived in suburbs of córdoba. on becoming hajib (chamberlain caliph) decided build palace city himself, which, if not more, beautiful medina azahara built abd-ar-rahman iii. palace located opposite al-zahra, situated in west of córdoba. foundations of al-zahira laid in 978-979 near river guadalquivir. mansur called palace madinah az-zahira well.

mansur s purpose behind building palace inspire awe , have name written in pages of history along name of greatest king of al-andalus, abd-ar-rahman iii. beautiful palace extensive gardens around it. housed high officials , barracks guards of al-mansur.

however, on death of al-mansur in 1002, eldest son abd al malik al-muzafer succeeded throne, , on death abdar rehaman as-sanjul or sanchelo or little sancho (his mother abda, daughter of sancho king of pamplona), son of al-mansur, followed brother. people rose in revolt in córdoba, while sanchelo busy in expedition against alfonso v in december 1009. since sanchelo absent , there nothing else in sight toward vent anger, people looted palace built al-mansur 4 days. when through looting , plundering palace, put flames, , in no time beautiful az-zahira reduced ashes.