(slides 56, 57, 58, 59) It is often noted that the Alhambra reflects the various traditions of Islamic architecture. The ornament on its walls and ceilings reflects earlier Andalusian tastes. It also shows an influence of Turkish aesthetics, which is an indication that the Nasrid dynasty was influenced by the newly established Ottoman Empire. The ornament of the palace walls is interspersed with poetic verses, proclaiming its eternal and incomparable glories. One scholar has discussed the Alhambra in terms of its utopian qualities, noting that while the palace offers carefully framed views of the outside world, it does not really allow this outside world to penetrate the palace's interior. One such view can be seen in slide 57. Back to slides