The Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex located in Granada, Andalusia. Originally constructed as a small fortress in 889 AD, it was rebuilt and converted into a royal palace in the mid-13th century by the Nasrid emir Mohammed ben Al-Ahmar. Its name means 'The Red' in Arabic, likely referring to the sun-dried bricks made of gravel and clay used for the outer walls. The Alhambra is a pinnacle of Moorish architecture, featuring intricate 'muqarnas' (honeycomb) vaulting, Arabesque calligraphy, and the famous Court of the Lions with its white marble fountain. A key element of the design is the use of water; the Generalife gardens use gravity-fed systems to create reflecting pools and fountains that provide cooling and tranquility. It was the last stronghold of the Moorish kings in Spain until the Reconquista in 1492, after which it became the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella.