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The Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex located in Granada, Andalusia. It was used by the Moors as the royal palace of the Emirate of Granada during the 14th and 15th centuries.
History
Renaissance
In 1492, the Crowns of Castile and Aragon laid siege to the fortress in an effort to drive out the Moorish King Muhammad XII of Granada. However, the Templars had secretly captured Muhammad to prevent him from formally surrendering, in an attempt to prolong the war and keep Queen Isabella I occupied and her funds low. This would enable the Templars to prevent Christopher Columbus from travelling and discovering the New World, as he would not be able to make the journey without a benefactor.[1]
While in Spain, the Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze, under the guidance of Raphael Sánchez, infiltrated the castle and freed Muhammad. He then managed to facilitate his surrender, effectively ending the war and freeing the way for the funds to Columbus' expedition.[1]
On 2 January 1492, during the fall of Granada, the palace was stormed by the Templars working under Tomás de Torquemada. With them was the son of Muhammad XII, Prince Ahmed, who they had abducted to use as ransom for the Apple of Eden in the emir's possession. While Muhammad XII resigned to the exchange, the meeting was interrupted by the Assassins Aguilar de Nerha and María, who killed all the Templars save Torquemada and seized the Apple themselves, though María perished in the fight.[2]
In 1499, Ubayd Alayza, a Templar informant, and his handler, Garza, resided in the Alhambra. Najim Alayza led a team of Spanish Brotherhood of Assassins to infiltrate the Alhambra just in time to witness Garza stab Ubayd to death.[3]
Modern times
In 2012, Alhambra was used as a simulated training location by Abstergo Industries for the training of their Animus recruits, as part of the first stage of the Animi Training Program. It only became available after a system update had been installed.[4]
The simulation depicted a luxurious, almost maze-like complex, with a great many rooms interconnected by staircases and hallways. Column arcades, fountains with running water, and reflecting pools were a common sight in and around the palace's large courtyards, designed to reflect the beauty of Paradise itself. One of the more well-known courtyards is the Court of the Lions, which featured an alabaster basin supported by the figures of twelve lions, fittingly called the Fountain of the Lions. The entire complex was encased by an imposing fortress wall, flanked by thirteen massive towers.[4]
Alhambra, like most of the simulated locations in the first stage, had two aesthetic variations. As such, it could be utilized during the day or the night.[4]
Trivia
- Calat Alhambra is a corruption of its original Arabic name, Qal'at Al-Hamra, from words qal'a ("fort") and al-hamra ("the red").
- The Dama Rossa, an Animi Avatar based on an unknown woman from the Renaissance, described the location as a "pearl among diamonds", possibly alluding to the Moorish poets, who referred to Alhambra as a "pearl set in emeralds."
Gallery
Appearances
- Assassin's Creed II: Discovery (first appearance)
- Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
- Assassin's Creed: The Movie
- Assassin's Creed: Rebellion – Kinslayer
References
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