Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-07-20


cade juts out in the form of a pavil-
hon. There are l24 columns stand
ing either singly or in pairs OF
groups of three or four. The foun-
tain deserves notice. The basin is
10 feet in circumference and in
depth supposed to be similar to the
Molten Sea in Solomon's Temple,
the upper basin is of later date al
though of Moorish workmanship;
the pyramidal structure at the TOP
was placed there in 1888. There
are also S smaller fountains at the
ends of the court, the water from
these Joins the overflow of the Lion
fountain. This court is adjoined on
all four sides by handsome cham
bers. The subterranean chambers
of the baths yet retain their orienta
character. An alabaster fountain
still throws up water. On each side
are deep alcoves with platforms
where after the bath the parties re-
clined on cushions. Beyond this
hall are interior chambers still more
retired where the beauties of the
harem INDUCED in the luxury of the
baths. A soft light reigns through
the place admitted through apertures
in the vaulted ceiling. Graces of
elegance are vet seen here and the
alabaster baths Of the Sultan are
shown. Silence has invited the bats
who sleep in the dark corners and
fit in the twilight adding to the
loneliness of the place. Like many
of the other towers the portal called
The Gate of Justice" is practically
a building by itself with two gates.
The tower is 81 feet high and is
wide and about one half of its eleva-
ton is occupied by the horse shoe
shaped outer gate, above which is
carved a hand with outstretched fin
gers symbol to avert the evil eye.
The massive doors are shod with
iron and otherwise strengthened.
Near the gate were number of vet
Grams wrapped in their seedy looking
cloaks. All were resting on stone
benches and some slept. The court
of myrtles derives its name from the
pool of water surrounded by hedges
Of myrtle. This court is l2O by 70
feet. The ends are graced by beau
tlful arcades each borne by six slen-
der marble columns and paved with
marble slabs. AT each end of the
n. E. arcade is an alcove with vault
ing originally colored blue and bear
ing the motto There is no Conquer.
or but God"
The suite of rooms of the Tive
Sisters seems to have been the win.
ter residence of the Sultana. Some
would destroy the romance of the
name by attributing it to two enor.
nous slabs Of alabaster that form a
great part of the pavement, while
others are inclined to invest it with
practical significance as a memorial
of Moorish beauties who once graced
this hall, which was evidently part
of the royal harem. The room is
lofty, graceful in architecture and
richly ornamented.
The Hall of Ambassadors, the
audience chamber of the Moslen
monarchs is 81 feet square and &C
feet high and still bears traces of its
former magniiicence. The last great
assembly of the Moors summoned by
Boobdel met here to consider the
surrender of Granada. This hall is
rooted with a dome of larch wood
which has been compared to the sur
face of an deliberately cut gem. The
immense thickness of the walls is
shown by the depth of the window
recesses which themselves form small
rooms affording views Of the city
and the valley of the Darro The
ornamentation of this hall is among
the richest in the Alhambra and one
could count l52 different patterns
on the plaster lining of the wall, all
impressed with iron moulds while
the plaster was yet moist. The pro-
minent colors are red and blue.
The large palace of Charles 9TH is
at the S. w. of the Alhambra. In
1926 was made the design for the
though more finished
building. There was to have been
a great triumuphal arch on the
south side and an octogonal chapel
in the north east, the dome of which
was to rise above all the other build
ings Of the Alhambra, a monument
of empire, power Of the Arabs in
Spain. Truly the Alhambra repre-
sents Moslem ruins in christian
country. 1t is regal monument of
a fearless and valiant people, who
made conquests, governed for cen
turtles till finally their dominion tot
tered and they ceased to exist as a
nation.
A short visit to the Monastery,
the college for the education Of
priests, but the sacristy where the
vestments used long ago were once
kept was what we desired to see,
but description of the same 1 can
not give with its wealth Of marble,
ivory, tortoise shell, ebony and
other rare wood, a marvel of work.
manship. Thence to the Cathedral
where are the tombs of Ferdinand
and Isabella and their daughter 10.
hanna and Philip of Austria. These
tombs Of Carora marble were elabor.
ate in their carving. Saw the crown
and jewel box of Isabella that were
given to Columbus in his explora.
tons.
A few words concerning Seville a
city Of over 100000 inhabitants, lies
in a wide plain on the banks of the
Guadalquious called the "Grea,
Z