Unit 9
Lesson 1
Student’s Book pages 70-71
Tourist attractions
Before you begin
Look at the picture
The key words
|
The word / phrase |
The meaning |
The part of speech |
|
overlook |
having a view of something, usually from above |
Noun |
|
spectacular |
wonderful |
Adjective |
|
courtyard |
an unroofed area that is completely or partly surrounded by buildings |
Noun |
|
marble |
a white hard kind of stone that is often used in architecture and making statues |
Noun |
|
fountain |
a pool from where water goes high in the air and falls back down |
Noun |
|
arch |
an opening in a structure that has the form of a semicircle and supports what is built above it |
Noun |
|
dome |
a rounded roof on a building or a room, or a building with such a roof |
Noun |
|
plasterwork |
plaster as part of the interior of a building, especially covering the surface of a wall or formed into decorative shapes and patterns |
Noun |
|
calligraphy |
the art of producing beautiful writing using special pens or brushes |
Noun |
|
arcade |
a covered passageway with arches along one or both sides |
Noun |
While reading
Alhambra Palace
Alhambra Palace in Granada is part of the impressive heritage of the long-lasting Islamic empire in Spain. Its name in Arabic (Qasr al Hamra) means ‘The Red Castle’. This refers to the red colouring of the bricks that the original palace was built from. It has become an important tourist attraction in Spain because of its rich Islamic history. It has also had a lot of influence on worldwide art and architecture since it was built.
This palace, which was built on a hill overlooking Granada, has beautiful views. The first king arrived in the thirteenth century and constructed a royal palace. After that, other kings added more parts to the palace. This is why it has so many different styles.
Many tourists come to visit Alhambra Palace today to see the Islamic architecture. This includes the spectacular Court of the Lions, which is probably the most famous part of the building. It is a square open-air courtyard with an impressive marble fountain in the centre. The fountain’s name comes from the twelve lions that support the fountain. The lion was a symbol of power in Islamic history and art. From this courtyard you can walk under arches into the Hall of the Two Sisters, whose wooden doors are over eight hundred years old. This room attracts tourists because of the beautiful dome, shaped like a flower, and the detailed plasterwork on the walls. Islamic Spain was famous for its artwork and calligraphy, and there are many well-preserved examples in this room.
There is a great difference between the plain outside walls and the paintings and sculpture that cover the inside walls. It seems to be paradise on earth with the column arcades, fountains and pools that are preserved there.
The text talks about:
- The most important elements of Islamic style of Alhambra Palace.
- The lion was a symbol of power in Islamic history and art.
- We should preserve Alhambra Palace.
After reading
- Where was the palace built?
- It was built on a hill overlooking Granada, has beautiful views..