thanks to s, cd, here u are

this is the alhambra, as seen from the top of the albaysin (the old muslim quarters).

one of the many designs on the walls in the casa royal. wish i could read arabic and know what this one means!

i havent seen so much intricate work in a structure as huge as this one, so well-preserved. of course, there has been some renovation work.

and if you look hard enough at the ochre-ish archway behind the white beam, you may just spot the stalactitie-like designs i mentioned in the post below.

this is one of my favourites. the entire wall is composed of maybe 3 or 4 of these windows, and if u look closely at the bottom of the photo, you will see the arabic inscription which says 'there's no conqueror but god'. the sides of the window as u see them do not fully capture the intricate beauty of the designs.

in this one below, u see the islamic usage of water to balance their environment. this pool was constructed not only to cool the marble in the summer, but also to provide a new perspective to the architechture itself: the perfect geometry reflected in the gentle ripples were believed to lend the symmetrical ambience a sensuous and softening effect.