Explain the reasons for the construction of the Madinat-al-Zahra and Document the measures of its splendour

Authors Avatar

Explain the reasons for the construction of the Madinat-al-Zahra and Document the measures of its splendour

The city of Madinat-al-Zahra was founded by the Umayyad Caliph Abd al Rahkman III, and later completed in 936 during the time of his son Hakam II, after nearly 40 years of construction. Situated 5 km from Cordoba, it was an extravagant and grand city, built by over 10,000 workers at a time when art, philosophy and culture were flourishing in Islamic culture. It is easy to understand why it was later to become know as the Radiant City ,   as it contained beautiful gardens , rich treasures and extravagant decorations. The cost of building such a grand city was of course high, estimated in some quarters to be almost a third of Cordoba’s total revenue. It was however, until its eventual destruction, unmatched in beauty and splendour.

It was created as a new capital, as a seat of government and state functions, but it had a short albeit glorious life. The decline of Madinat-al-Zahra essentially began during the reign of the young caliph Hisham II. At that time, the prime minister al-Mansor, (who was known for his dictatorial style of governing, and his continued successful attacks on the Christian North,) moved the administrative government to a new urban area that he constructed in east Cordoba . After the government was moved to Madinat-al-Zahira, Madinat-al-Zahra was effectively abandoned. It had lasted only seventy years before it was burnt, sacked and pillaged in 1010 and progressively looted in the civil war after caliphal succession was unclear. Little of the riches or architecture that made it so splendid remained. The ruins of the city were eventually buried by mud from the mountains that came during winter, remaining in this state until the excavations centuries later.

The site chosen for the new city was carefully chosen, to exalt the image of the caliphate. The old palace was situated in central Cordoba near to the market and the mosque, in one of the busiest areas of the city. The new site was therefore more peaceful, (as well as being in a respectable, high class area where the rich had traditionally built country houses, so it was already associated in some way with class and wealth.) The palace was placed on the highest point of the upper terrace, and would be seen first by anyone approaching, which symbolised importance. The elite position of the caliph surveying his empire, dressed in luxurious clothes and surrounded by servants would have been obvious.

Join now!

After completion, Madinat-al-Zahra was the largest city in the Mediterranean basin, with sides measuring 1518 metres long by 745 metres wide, and contained a total land area of 112 hectares.  The grand scale of the city was to ensure that the caliph’s necessary centre of government and their entourage could be comfortably accommodated, as more than 20,000 people were to live there. This included nearly 4,000 pages and slaves, 12,000 guards and eunuchs, and a harem of up to 6,000 women, for whom 300 baths were available.

The space in the city was approximately divided into three parts – ...

This is a preview of the whole essay