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Title: Spain, Madinat al-Zahra, Hall of Abd al-Rahman III
Caption: When Abd al-Rahman proclaimed himself Caliph in 929, he founded the palatial city of Madinat al-Zahra as his personal residence and capital of the new Caliphate state. The architecture of the palace was meant to serve as a magnificent representation of the sophisticated protocol that accompanied the caliph's high dignity of position. This is expressed in the splendor of the Hall of Abd al-Rahman III, with its position opening out onto a majestic garden, its basilica design with three naves, and the rich and profuse bas-relief arabesque decoration that covered its walls. Both sides of the central aisle are bordered by horseshoe arches, supported by columns of alternating colors. On the far wall there is a blind horseshoe arch, before which the caliph presumable sat for formal audiences.
Credit: Album / Sites and Photos
Image size: 4368 × 2912 px | 36.4 MB
Print size: 37.0 × 24.7 cm | 1719.7 × 1146.5 in (300 dpi)